Guest blog post for David Lau’s Asha Tea House in California on tea’s very simple and understated origins in southwestern Yunnan – Pulang Mountain – here
Before the palate can indulge, tea leaves are harvested and produced using time-honoured traditions. Here in tea's ancient home great teas need little ostentation.
About JeffFuchs
Having lived for a decade in Yunnan, Fuchs’ work has centred on indigenous mountain cultures, oral histories along with an obsessive interest in tea.
Fuchs is the author of 'The Ancient Tea Horse Road' (Viking-Penguin) and he was the subject of 'The Tea Explorer' documentary based on his exploration of the Tea Horse Road.
His photos and stories have appeared on three continents in publications such as Kyoto Journal, TRVL, and Outpost Magazine, as well as The Spanish Expedition Society, The Earth, Silkroad Foundation, The China Post Newspaper, The Toronto Star, The South China Morning Post, and UNESCO amongst others. Various pieces of his work are part of private collections in Europe, North America, and Asia. Fuchs served as Asian Editor at Large for five years at award-winning Outpost magazine.
Jeff has worked with schools and universities, giving talks on both the importance of oral traditions, tea and mountain cultures.
His recently released book ‘The Ancient Tea Horse Road’ (Penguin-Viking Publishers) details his 8-month groundbreaking journey traveling and chronicling one of the world’s great trade routes, The Tea Horse Road. Fuchs is the first westerner to have completed the entire route stretching almost six thousand kilometers through the Himalayas a dozen cultures.
Fuchs partnered with Wild China to create a journey along the Tea Horse Road which National Geographic Traveler called one of the "50 Trips of a Lifetime".
He is co-founder of Akahiao Nature Institute on the island of Hawai'i along with his wife, Julie Rogers.
Your description of the unpretentiousness of tea, the ancient tea trees, and the people who harvest them, are all quite fascinating and refreshing, Jeff. It is also wonderful to read of the relationship that exists between the native peoples of Yunnan and the ancient ways of tea.
Many thanks!
Best wishes,
Peter
The indigenous ways of tea, their simple adherence to natural methods and the social aspects are great examples of how tea was, how it still is in certain quarters and how it can be once again. Great teas, simply served in an environment that hides nothing.
Thanks for the note Peter.
Jeff
I truly appreciate the content of your blog.. Keep going.
Will indeed keep it going…with cup at hand.
Thanks for the note.