Author Archives: JeffFuchs

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.

Jingmai Pu’erh – Menghai Part V – Last Sips

Few things bring people to concur like trees do. We need more of them everywhere and of every kind, and when the trees happen to be tea trees, there is the added bonus of the ‘sips’ and stimulant-wonder that they … Continue reading

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Jingmai Pu’erh – The Mild Giant

When one is able to link a cup of tea – its leaves, strengths, and characteristics – to its origins, it creates a link that is irreplaceable. When one can link a tea to ‘its people’ that is one of … Continue reading

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A Time of Talk … of Tea – Xishuangbanna lll

  There is always a kind of inevitability of events in China. With the rush, the masses, the intensity of purpose, things just MOVE!! There is the sense at times that the speed and lack of warning of when something … Continue reading

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National Geographic Traveler: Top 50 Trips of a Lifetime – Ancient Tea Horse Road with Jeff Fuchs

In a little bit of good ‘April’ news (amidst tea swoons and buzzes) National Geographic Traveler has named my Ancient Tea Horse Road trip with Wild China as one of their “Top 50 Trips of a Lifetime”. Gives us far … Continue reading

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Up a Classic with a Classic – Xishuangbanna Continued

Teashops and tea cups have to at some point make way for the tea forests and fields. Fluid must give way to its ‘source’. As much as my entire being loves to be shoved into a tight little shop sipping … Continue reading

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An Arrival – Xishuangbanna/Sipsongbanna

Heat, Green, Some Characters…and more Green There are moments when the senses tell the rest of the body that one has arrived; moments when the body knows something before the mind does. Stepping out of a plane’s hatch, hot air … Continue reading

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A Tea for Departures – Lau Banzhang

Embarking for the south of Yunnan on the tea sourcing mission tomorrow, it seems a perfect time to indulge in a little ‘tea’ farewell from home here in Shangrila. Above, on the wooden slats of my Tibetan home’s roof, ice … Continue reading

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“Hu Kai – A Tea of the Soul” … and one that still stuns the tongue

It remains a tea that I don’t get enough of (which will hopefully be remedied in the coming two weeks). My fierce Lahu contact in Xishuangbanna assures me that this will be the case. Hu Kai’s roots, flavours, and understated … Continue reading

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“Tea’s Ancient Trees” – Absolute green, absolute heat, and absolute tea

There are few geographies (with their perks) that I would rather be than amidst the ancient tea forests of southern Yunnan, and fewer-still fluids that I’d rather consume than these forest’s ancient teas. The full article here: “Tea’s Ancient Trees” … Continue reading

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Six Sips in Beijing – A look back

As a sort of look back – and forward, from a tea perspective. I thought I’d include one link every few days to tea blogs that I’ve been doing for Templar Foods since late 2010. First blog was “Six Sips … Continue reading

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