
Every May 21, International Tea Day reminds the world to pause and appreciate the humble leaf that has fueled empires, comforted hearts and launched a thousand afternoon breaks.
Earlier this year, SunStar Lifestyle flew to Taiwan as part of a media tour organized by the Taiwan Tourism Administration. I found myself in the hills of Emei Township, Hsinchu County, standing inside a 100-year-old brick building that would completely change the way I thought about tea: the Fuxing Old Tea Factory.
Here are five lessons Taiwan — and one incredibly zen tea master — brewed into me:
Tea deserves your full attention
At Fuxing, there’s no boiling water in a rush or dunking tea bags mid-scroll. Tea is approached with the same reverence you might give a handwritten letter. Every stage — from plucking fresh leaves by hand to the final drying process — is slow, intentional and deeply respectful of the leaf. It made me realize how distracted I’ve been while sipping tea back home.
Insects can make tea taste better (seriously)
One of Taiwan’s most prized teas, Oriental Beauty, owes its distinct honey-like flavor to an unlikely co-creator: the leafhopper. These tiny insects nibble on the tea buds, triggering a chemical reaction in the plant. The result is a naturally sweet, aromatic tea that’s proof that imperfection can be delicious.
Withering isn’t a bad thing
Before the tea leaves are ready to transform, they need time to wither — to rest and lose moisture. Under the sun or in a warm room, they begin their quiet transformation. The metaphor isn’t lost on me: sometimes, we need to slow down and wither a bit, too, before we grow into something deeper.
Tea-making is physical (and meditative)
Watching the tea master stir, blanch and separate the leaves by hand was like watching a ritual dance. The repetition. The focus. The absolute presence. Each motion had a purpose — to coax out flavor, not just process product. I left wanting to approach not just tea, but life, with that kind of intention.
A good cup of tea starts long before the water boils
Tea is shaped by generations. The Fuxing Old Tea Factory is a time capsule of inherited knowledge, patience and craft. Every cup brewed there tells a story that began long before water met the leaf. We hope more travelers take the uphill detour and find a story in sip. S