By sharing their work of art with you today, we can help the small group of tea artisans continue to create rare teas, hire apprentices and build a more sustainable practice for the future.

That day in October
On one rainy morning in October, we visited several tea growers in Taiwan in search of the world’s best “dong fang mei ren,” also known as “eastern beauty” or “oriental artiste.” 

This tea is extremely rare and unique. During every growing season, especially in the summer within a 10-15 day window, a special insect bites the leaves and starts the leaves' oxidation process well before they are plucked by the farmers. 

As these leaves undergo oxidation well before other tea leaves, their aroma and taste is unlike any other. Once brewed, the leaves of oriental artiste will unfurl and “dance” beautifully to infuse a light, gold champagne color liquor. Its orchid aroma and pleasant tinge of sweetness will make you smile in awe. 

So for several hours we visited and tried various oriental artiste in search of that awe.  But of what we tried, none really amazed us.  By 10:30 in the morning, we stopped at another tea grower and asked to sample his version of the tea. 

Upon seeing the leaves, smelling its sharp orchid-like aroma before and after brewing, and finally having a sip of it, we were in awe. We were extremely excited. We both knew we had found "the" oriental artiste.  In fact, we later learned (further confirming our taste buds and tea acumen) that this tea grower had been recognized and awarded by the government for his skills and expertise in making the best oriental artiste in the country.

We spent the next eight plus hours with this grower because he and his wife were so friendly and hospitable.  They even prepared for us some very delicious Taiwanese delicacies. 

During our time together, one of the most memorable moments for us was when we went together to pick up the grower's kids from school.  I asked him in Mandarin, "Since only you and your wife grow and process this tea, what happens in the future? Will your kids take over?" 

He replied in Mandarin, "Of course not. In the old days, this was a family business and I learned the skills from my father.  But now in the 21st century, my kids will have the freedom and opportunity to move on to do something they are interested in, like being a doctor or a lawyer. They aren't interested in this like I was when I was young.  Most aren’t nowadays."

With that response, we were saddened by the fact that such great knowledge and experience used to produce one of the most authentic and rare teas in the world would be lost in the near future. 

After coming back to the U.S., upon finishing the oriental artiste that we had brought over from Taiwan, we bought other teas. But having tried one of the world's best, we were convinced that mass produced teas are incomparable to the small batches of authentically produced rare teas.

We realized that the authentic and rare teas made by the grower we met and other artisan farmers like him in the world should be available forever.  Such rare teas that are made authentically should be available for all tea drinkers to try.  People should have the opportunity to know how authentic, rare teas taste like.

Creating Nala
Not too long after our enlightenment, Nala was created to help award-winning artisan farmers save and preserve the art of making rare teas in an authentic manner. 

By sharing their work of art with you today, we can help the small group of tea artisans continue to create rare teas, hire apprentices and build a more sustainable practice for the future.

At the end of the day, we are hopeful that the knowledge and experience of those making the most authentic, rare teas will be preserved for generations to come.  Those same teas will still be made and be available for everyone in the future.