How to Make People Fall in Love with Tea 

Time for you to write that tea book Don! :)

You have introduced me to washing the tea, gong fu brewing and matcha tea. Through my passion to matcha I have gained a teahead colleague at work. Now I know tips and tricks on how to gain new allies :) Thank you for your addictive passion for tea.

I know we wouldn't consider them a source of authentic Chinese tea culture, but to be honest it was Teavana that first sparked my interest in loose leaf tea. Later when I moved to Korea I saw a man with a huge table that drained the water and these disks of packed tea. I saw how the yixing teapots were smaller and plainer than the ones I bought from Teavana. Then when I saw the process of gong fu brewing and the way he poured the hot water on top of the teapot letting the water drain into the table I was hooked.

For my birthday this year I hosted a tea tasting. We did western style brews of several different teas representing green, oolong and black teas. I had cards made up for tasting notes and let my guests make their own associations like you mentioned in this video. Similarly, tea was the focus of the whole event and although we did western brewing, I did have my tray and gongdoa bei and tea pet and everything and we used the small gongfu style cups. It was a lot of fun and we got to see where people agreed and disagreed about the different teas and which teas were well liked across the board (Tieguanyin) and which ones were more divisive (Lapsang Souchang)

My first tea experience that changed my life was silver needle, ever since then I've had a strong love for white tea, and that was about 5 or 6 yrs ago. I was going through a tough time in my life. My journey since that point has been a bit strange. I have even meet someone who has tea plants for 13 years, but every time I tried to have a tea session with him and explain the differences to him it always went back to his plants. They were good tea we even called it southern sweet tea, and we discussed different curing methods. But his passion tea for tea was not developed yet, being that he had never ordered tea from China, despite my efforts he still bought rishi tea from time to time. Being where I'm from in Louisiana people are closed minded to "new" ideas. In fact I have gotten more strange looks from my family for drinking tea, Than for smoking canabis. Now it's to the point where I do not share my passion for tea with others. Well quite simply its to much stress to second guess myself. If I do have tea with some one it's usually herbs, or a wuyi Shan. Always gongfu style, with good water, since that is the essence of tea. Also people have to want it first and foremost. Because what I'm excited about most people aren't. But my tea time is now about self direction and meditation.

Write a book on tea! I would totally read it! It's actually surprising how easy it is to put books on amazon

That example of what not to do - brewing gongfu style in the kitchen and bringing the little cups out - is exactly what I do! 😄

How I sold gong fu style, even tho I brewed in such style just 3 times before was that I personally discovered the tea talking to me a story through different infusions. And thats how I sell it to non teaheds. I usually go like this: This session is all about the tea, not ourselves. We are gonna brew gong fu style, which is many batches, small volumes, but a lot of leaves, the tea taste changes along the infusions. And every tea tells a different story and evokes a different depictions. Lets sit and let the tea talk to us. And after first sip, they are all like WOW and talking about what it reminds them of and are excited for next infusions...

That example of what not to do - brewing gongfu style in the kitchen and bringing the little cups out - is exactly what I do!

Don's passion has turned me into a massive teahead! I am trying to convert my family and friends. My question is whether those who don't drink tea can have any bad reaction to tea - when I first tried it I got an unpleasant bloating sensation. When my father tried it he reported the same thing. Is this something you any of you have found? And if so, is there any knowledge on why this happens and how you can avoid it, so you can seamlessly convert them to the good stuff!

We have made us teahed each other wih my friend. 😂 At high school we were often walking to the cafe and I was always drinking tea or non-coffee beverages. It was unusual cafe which had loose leaf tea. The tea was in big glass vessel 1l mybe 1,5 so he was helping me drink it. The tea did tasted him so he started to drink with me and sometimes we done even two vessels. And then he has started to buy loose leaf into home. And I have inspired by him. 😂 Maybe we can say the cafe has made us teaheads. 😂 Sorry if the grammar isn´t fine at all.

Kindred spirits man, your videos are great. I've been working at getting tea into people's mouths as a sommelier for a couple years, it's so special to hear someone speak the same way about it. Please keep it up! Happy new year!

I personally love to bring people to the "tea way" of life ;) I also work in a tea shop/café where I always try to recommend a tea to the customers which they haven´t tasted jet :)! I also made the experience, that Gong Fu Ceremonies (or simplified ones) really enhance the joy of tea ( both for me and the other person). Last week I even brought my friends, who weren´t usually drinking tea to a Gong Fu Ceremony and they turned into total tea lovers all of a sudden! I always try to emphasize the values behind the whole ceremony like friendship, peace, calmness and joy in simple things when I brew tea for others. It´s all about having a good time after all right :D? Here I also like to thank you guys for making such great videos! One can really feel your joy and passion for the subject, which is great. All of them are really educational and fun to watch ^-^ Greetings from Germany

3:32 I love your passion

As always great video, and also today some coincidence: I just founded a meetup for tea lovers in my city (Vienna) and surprisingly there was none yet. Your tips are a true inspiration for the, hopefully soon, next gatherings of Viennese teaheads! Surely all the procedure will play a big part to attract newbies!

thznk you so much for sharing your passion!

Thank you so much for this video! I went to a tea ceremony not too long ago and the woman serving us tea followed all of these, and it works! My husband who isn't really into tea really enjoyed the experience and the tea. It was a bit of a miracle. :)

As a 12 year old, most would think this isnt something i would be in to. They are wrong, and ever since i watched one of your videos i have been hooked. Thank you for showing this wonderful hobby to me, and i will do my best to get other youngsters into this. Keep up the good work! :D

I love your videos and please keep on making more. I'm hoping to get the Gong fu Guru tea set for Christmas. Thanks for making me a tea head, it's opened up a whole new world.

Great video! I agree with you on not being able to find the perfect book (especially for a new teahead). I think it would be awesome if you came out with your own book on tea and tea brewing! With all your knowledge and all these videos you make Which I'm sure got a lot of people into tea like myself, it would be a great informative tea book great for any beginner and advanced teahead.

Don, it is really great pleasure to watch your videos at RU-vid. The first video I saw was "The Guide of Brewing Tea", two years ago, and I have to say that it was my first step into Tea as a conscious consumer. From that point I gained a lot of knowledge and my tea way. Now I can honestly say that I'm a teahead ;-). Thank you for that because you are a part of this way. In April 2016 I was in Sri Lanka to learn more about tea (as a product) and it was really, really awesome experience. When I'm at home I try to introduce the tea to my family and friends. I serve them gong fu style tea. And you know what? They are starting to appreciate it!

lovely video! I have tried numerous times (and been successful with a handful of people) to convert people to tea drinkers many a time and I haven't tried this method yet, thank you so much for new fuel for the fire! this is sure to cause at least the last couple of stubborn coffee drinkers I know to give this another shot. thank you!

Great tips! I’m doing a tasting session with a couple of friends soon, and will definitely incorporate your advice (especially the “don’t talk about flavor first”!).

This is the best!

About a week ago I ordered a Gongfu tea set and have been ritualistically doing so every day. I started off with some Gunpowder Green which was shockingly bitter (maybe i'm just doing it wrong?), then I tried some Dragonwell which was fairly good, but still retained the slight grassy bitterness. It wasn't until I tried then lightly oxidized Formosa Oolong which believe it or not had a sweetness to it, the aroma was so smooth and delicious, a complete night & day different from other teas. Gongfu is such a chill relaxing experience, especially in the morning to get the day started. This channel motivated me to get try it!

amazing material. great work

Wonderful points Don! :) I really love your channel and your passion for tea! Thanks to you, I'm getting deeper into my tea journey! :D

that was awesome, thank you for this video!

I definitely will suggest and have suggested your RU-vid channel because I have learned an incredible amount of information from it. So keep up the good work!

wooww, I just had to write this comment after I saw the picture of the tasting wheel. Your passion for tea really shows! I'm really interested in getting a Gong Fu Tea Set and brewing tea the right way!

Your chanel is amazing! I like people with passion for whatever they are talking about/ living for. I'm a teahead myself but never really dove into chinese or japanese tea. That is to change now. Again, thank you for your videos. Have learned so much already. Greetings from Ahaus/Germany.

aw yiss, I'm an amateur myself but I was very very interested in gongfu style brewing and how there are so many varieties of taste in tea leaves WITHOUT mixing in other things. All the things I've experienced and taste in this short journey I shared excitedly with friends and family and it was really funny to watch some of them get addicted to 'high quality' tea as well. Turns out there are many of us who didn't know that tea only tasted bitter because of how we usually brew it.

Amazing thoughts !!

Mate, you rock! All the best

Thank you for these points, Don. I've made the mistake of overdescribing the tea in advance too many times.

Feeling like I got my wish come true from my last comment on your previous video when I ask about the tasting guide :) this one is very similar to what I had in mind.... hope there will be more to come of this kind of guides :))

Great :-) thank you so much

I have discovered the James Hoffman of tea... A new hobby awaits

great vid.

I am turning people in recovery on to the benefits of gong fu. The young guys who love marijuana seem to think that, as a substitute, the whole leaf tea brewing session fills a healthy niche.

One day I will convert my whole family! >:D

I'm so happy to have found gong fu and then your channel. This and Tea House Ghost .... just excellent tea talk Where can I get the printout for that tasting wheel PDF?

I live in Devon and rarely come up to London, but the next time I do, I'll come across to Camden and hit up my favourite Tea flavoured RU-vid channel ;D

we already love tea...but after watching this, we had to get up out of bed in the middle of the night to have some puerh...gong fu style haha! Loving your videos! keep them up and thank you :)

Hey Don, The Book of Tea by Okakura Kakuzō. I don't know if you have read this book, but I really think it's a great one to get people into tea and all its beautiful subtleties. It reads really well and really brings you into your imagination.

Love your videos. ^^

Hahah just awesome!

Very good video :)

That was great, Thank you! Do you have your flavour wheel available as a download?

You should/could write a book Don. It could be about your travel experiences in China (etc...) or tea education in general.

Hey, Don! Been watching the videos for a while now, and I love all of the info and passion that you provide the viewers. I would like to ask for some help. I have just started a business in Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, "Gongfu Tea Company." I plan on setting up shop in the local farmer's markets and such around here, in order to sell traditional Chinese loose leaf tea, but also to introduce this rural farming county to the gongfu brewing method. Do you have any tips to offer me as I will be attempting to brew lots of different teas to different people in a short amount of time, with limited space? I also want to educate the people about the gongfu method, the history of tea, and the origin of the tea I am working with. I guess I am just nervous that people will not take to it, or it will be too expensive to be worth it to people. I just want to give people a stellar experience with tea, and change the way they view tea from here on out. Any help is welcomed, seeing how there is little to no Chinese tea culture here to work off of. Thanks, again, and cheers!

Hello Don! Quick Question: What do you call the little white ceramic dish that you have the loose leaf tea in. I purchased one a few years ago and I need another but can't think of the name of it and I can't even google it! Just want you to know that you have helped me so much on my tea journey and I look forward to every new show!

Heya. Could you possibly give some tips or maybe even make a video about thermoses? Like what to look for when buying one and how well, how long they can keep the necessary temperature for the selected tea. I am still heating up water for every infusion and I am reluctant of switching to a thermos as I fear that after a few infusions I might be pouring white tea water on a puerh.

I know yout opinion about gaiwans (I've just bought myself one ;)) but what do you think about shiboridashi or a hohin? brw I found your channel 2 days ago and I really love the videos! Especially that I want to try some more gong fu brewing and I have a question: can I somehow make this wooden desk, that takes water inside inside itslefs, myself? Homemade desk like that...

But on positive note the character of rip van winkle built a tea house on Avery island and as soon as we receive or China life order we are going to have tea there for "old times sake" 😄😄

I still enjoy the flavour of coffee but not the effect so in the morning I put tea into my decaf lol.

Don the tea missionary.

I have a really good book but its written in Swedish from one of our Tea Gurus in Stockholm Vernon Maurice. Have you done any videos of really good quality sencha or gyokoro? Thats according to me the best teas! You are such an inspiring Guy!

It's so perfect that this video came out tonight😂 I'm starting to entice my Girlfriend with true tea🍃☕️️😛❤️

Hm, I've only ever really had basic blacks, greens, earl greys and black chais. Anyone got any reccomendations?

Fantastic video! Could you maybe make a video there you actually introduce tea for some one for the first time? That would be cool =)

Don if you write a book on tea, I'd buy it and read it...

The tiger on your t-shirt looks familiar! Is it Tiger spirit?

Is the tasting wheel available for download?

Because of you, I have fallen in love with tea. But because of my overseas purchases I have found it to be a love/hate relationship. People selling Chinese teas from overseas have been terrible liars, and pack things so poorly, a lot gets ruined in shipment. I have also been getting a LOT of forgeries lately !!! Then it is nearly impossible to get my money back. I have been ripped off a lot lately by Chinese sellers and am abbout ready to give up on tea !!!

😋🤩

Where did you get the cup?

I was curious, does anyone at Mei Leaf enjoy wines? I'd assume it's a similar "experience" I suppose, with the complexity/variation/terroir. I haven't myself indulged myself in the world of wines yet, but it is interesting. It perhaps does have an element of snobbery behind it, and lacks the comfort or spirituality that comes from tea brewing. What are all your thoughts?

About black CTC tea

Is this 'taste chart' available somewhere?

Hi Don! You mention there are a few exceptions to the rule that Gong fu is best for tea. Which types of teas would be better brewed in a non gong fu style and why?

First I'd like to say that I've had many successful introductions to Gong Fu brewing with friends and family, but one really bad one xD I served a friend a Dancong I really like and she told me that the only thing she could taste was the bitterness of the tea which she found disgusting (and I find really pleasant since it turns into e peachy fruityness...). So I think I was following your six steps but still failed. Apparently her taste is a little different than mine...

What app is he using to control the camera?

Trying to get my sis to drink whole leaf tea instead of tea bag she said it's too much work to brew whole leafs and that she would only do it for a major benefit like other teas like hibiscus tea... my niece on the other hands likes the duck shit oolong like me loll

I think you forgot to update the links in the description. Then you can delete my comment. Can't wait to try Milan when I'm next in London! :D

1. Choose a tea that you're passionate about. 2. Express your passion for tea, but don't talk about flavor (history of the tea, health benefits, etc.) 3. Brew Gong Fu style 4. Indulge their senses (bring the tea out and make it in front of them) 5. Make the tasting experience an active one (have THEM describe the taste/smell) 6. Give them tools to learn (suggest books, YT channels, blogs)

this is not tea advice, this is almost life advice

where can I find that chart? please

Funny fact: the literal translation of "teahead" in Dutch is theekop, which means teacup in English.

Step 1: Find friends. Step 2: Get stuck at step 1

Can I read your letrature in hindi

A gift of a tea guru or cheap gaiwan and a few tea samples wouldnt be a bad idea either...

:))

Sir, can I hear you in hindi?

I've had zero luck in USA

Here's another tip, don't bother trying to "convert" anyone, I don't know why the idea that one can be EITHER in the coffee camp, OR the tea camp...a bit like your professed philosophy about combining western and Eastern medical practices, why not combine both? I drink more tea than coffee by volume, but I would never give up my morning cup of Joe, just show them how adding tea to their current patterns will benefit them, then let the tea speak for itself, tea is every bit as powerful as opiates, albeit much more healthy.

Don, you sound like a Jewish dope dealer. Congrats!