Whether you are a newcomer to Grass People Tree or are a long time companion, the Roots of Tea course is for you.
Before you even begin learning the history or practice of tea, there is the undeniable benefit of simply sitting in presence with tea and Rui. As you listen to her speak, you may find yourself laughing or even crying at times, her warmth and reverence for the wisdom she is sharing with us is soothing and heartfelt throughout the entirety of the course.
In the learning of the history of Chinese tea we are released from the binds of illusion placed upon us over centuries past. And the importance of understanding the difference between cultural appropriation versus appreciation may begin to take root, if it hasn't already.
For myself, the greatest benefit I received from the course came in the experience of implementing the practice of returning to the root, or returning to the source. Through this practice I felt and experienced the harmony between people and plant going all the way back to the first time people and tea came together, and then like roots, spreading out to all those between then and this moment now.
With each brew, we connect to that source, to those roots of all those that came before, those here now, and those yet to emerge into this immortal now.
Rui once told me there is nothing to learn. I think she has it just right. There is nothing to learn, there is only remembering. And I've found, at the heart of the Roots of Tea, is a remembrance of how to simply be.
this most unique balance between the fresh green feeling and the quenching oolong taste, catches my guests by surprise everytime
This journal has truly become a favored text by my tea table. As I have slowly maneuvered each section, I find myself in awe of the effort put into this incredible text. Rui’s ability to write so eloquently while sharing vulnerability, wisdom from her teachers and herself, and bringing in so much beauty and knowledge from her ancestral home makes this an incredible read. I’ve learned so much! I feel as if this text is a journey and with each page I dig deeper and even feel as if I am there sitting on the banks of the Hua Xi river or walking down the street conversing with villagers on what vegetables to use in my next meal. Rui writes and translates this as a journey in my eyes and I am thrilled to be along for the ride.
Since being in relationship with this tea, I’ve been ruined! I can only drink GPT tea now. It ain’t a bad thing 😂
This tea is complex; I can taste and feel the integrity behind each step of the tea-picking and -making process. The qi quality is truly on another level from other teas I’ve had. I want to visit the tea house in person one day 🥲
Stepping into Rui’s tea meditation on a Sunday evening was like entering a sanctuary of stillness. Her graceful presence and gentle guidance create a space where breath, silence, and intention come together in the most beautiful way. To sip tea with compassion - to truly pause - is a profound act of reverence, and Rui invites us into that with such care.
This practice is not just about tea; it’s about nervous system regulation, softening the mind, and aligning with something deeper. It’s a reset. A remembering. A quiet accumulation of wisdom.
I left feeling calm, grounded, and open to the week ahead. This is a ritual I want to return to again and again. Thank you, Rui, for being such a graceful guide on this path. See you next week 🙏
You will definitely figure the answer out if you try this amazing tea. It feels so alive and loving. Absolute acceptance and home, yes I think that's how I feel. This is the tea I show to everyone and they are like: " Wow, what kind of tea is this? Feels very special and tasty." Well, all tea here is special, very special. Thank You for shipping it internationally. These leaves are gifts.
This aged master white tea feels so divine, truly a master, a friend a true companion to me. Sitting with this tea in the morning brings so much calmness and wisdom, it's a true medicine. One of my favorites from GPT!
I’ve been slowly sipping through the journal whenever my heart is called to open the leaves of these beautifully crafted pages. Usually, it’s late at night when the world is quiet and my mind can meditate on a story that Rui spells. You can hear her voice through the words and the photos transport you to magical places in Gui Zhou where she has stepped into and cultivated relationships with masters of their crafts. I savor a few pages just like carefully twisted leaves of Master Red and Oolong and then dream of being in tea houses where human connection and culture are more valuable than monetary means and novelty. This Peace has no price.
I am so grateful, touched and excited by the GPT Journal! This was honestly one of the most interesting and thoughtful bodies of work about tea and tea culture that I've ever read.
Rui truly pours out her heart + soul (like she does her tea) and you can feel it on every page. Adriaan's vivid and poignant photography perfectly compliments Rui's content throughout the journal.
Is there a lifetime subscription available? I'm ready to sign up for life!
Excellent in every way possible. The appearance of the tea is beautiful, the fragrance from the hot gaiwan is lively and inviting, and the taste of soup is just the best. Steeps over and over, with subtle changes from steep to steep. Absolutely love this tea. Thank you GPT!
I love everything that you do and when I love something I feel like telling the entire world about it. I was deeply touched by the GPT publication. Especially the piece on simplicity because it reflected on something I've been thinking about a lot. It's was drew me to Zen Buddhism, how I aspire to live and simultaneously what I struggle with. You have articulated that feeling so beautifully. Thank you so much for sharing your wisdom and beauty with us. I absolutely adore it!
Yellow tea is not common and I love that Grass People Tree have a yellow tea available and is keeping the tradition of making yellow tea going. Slow Mellow Yellow is one of my favourite teas to share with friends as I always get a lovely response to it.
Earthy like a walk through the woods on a crisp, sunny morning - full of light, nutty fragrances: acorns, orange peel. Then comforting and rounded like a dusk walk into a warmly lit home - comforting, centring. Multiple infusions, it really keeps on going!
Compared to the other teas I felt her life force during the whole process of using the tea. I could feel and see her as she was when she made the tea. She helped me to make it properly . It was like she combined with me to experience it once more.
Gentle resinous flavours, which warm and restore. Very robust too - huge leaves and a satisfying, grounding effect.
Spectacular floral aroma on first contact with water, followed by fresh apple peel, developing into warming grassiness & finally deep sweetness.
Usually, when I encounter green tea, we need to be careful about temperature and steeping time, or else we'd get a bitter that is just unpleasant.
With Master's Green, however, I can grab a tea pot or gaiwan, grab some boiling water, throw the water in, and immediately extract for a generally nice green tea. It can sit for a few seconds and still be a nice grassiness flavor that reminds me of what matcha would be if matcha were not always a super strong flavor.
Originally, we were pitched this tea as one that won't get bitter, despite how it gets made.
So, I decided to test it:
Got a small tea pot, warmed the pot, put in 5g of Master's Green, add boiling water, and let it sit for ~5 minutes.
Was it "bitter"? Not in my opinion. However, was it too strong? Yes. So just add a bit more water to cut the proportioning, and it became the above written delightful green tea, again!
So in my opinion: test checks out! (^-^)
It can be screwed up, yes, but one needs to TRY to screw it up, and it CAN be fixed afterward. :)
This sacred, magical tea is deeply healing me. I am in awe of this ancient, powerful tea and am eternally grateful to Grass People Tree for helping me return to life.
A stunning fusion of minerality, red fruit and delicate sweetness from the cherry blossom. Unlike many confected cherry blossom teas, with this one no one flavour predominates. The vineous fruit of the red tea is balanced by rocky, savouriness. There’s a dark cherry aroma and flavour as the infusions go on, without losing the light cherry sprinkling, like icing sugar, from the blossom. Beautiful, and recommended as a very successful blending.
Has many of the qualities of balance that Masters Green possesses so abundantly, plus a mellow nuttiness, that makes this a perfect evening or late afternoon brew. Not as zesty as the Green but makes up for that with a relaxing warmth.
Starts with grassy freshness, develops depth and sweetness very quickly (by second infusion) and continues to feel energising and balancing through many further brews. Miraculously, it’s a green tea that can stand 100° water and doesn’t have a trace of bitterness. Beautifully crafted to combine all the green tea essentials: freshness of cut grass, vibrancy and sharpness, thirst-quenching, with sweetness and umami in perfect harmony.
More magic moments to have when my parcel of many different teas arrived. Like reading a poem and then tasting each tea is an experience to be transported by. Thank you Grass People Tea Team for this life affirming experience and excellent service.