Tea Academy
Tea Education
Tea is one of humanity's oldest stories. It has shaped trade, inspired philosophers, entered monasteries and households, and connected strangers across continents. Here, we tell that story with the depth it deserves.
Through the Ages
A History of Tea
2737 BCE · Ancient China
The First Cup
Legend tells of Emperor Shen Nung discovering tea when wild leaves blew into his pot of boiling water. Whether history or myth, the story reflects tea's very old place in Chinese culture.
760 CE · Tang Dynasty China
The Classic of Tea
Lu Yu writes Chá Jīng, the first known monograph on tea, codifying cultivation, processing, and the spiritual art of tea preparation for generations to come.
1191 CE · Japan
Zen & Tea Become One
The monk Eisai helps establish tea cultivation in Japan and writes Kissa Yōjōki, a historical text linking tea, daily practice, and the health ideas of its era.
1400s · Japan
The Way of Tea
Sen no Rikyū perfects the Japanese tea ceremony, wabi-cha, transforming tea into a profound practice of simplicity, respect, and presence.
1600s · Global
Tea Crosses Oceans
Portuguese and Dutch traders introduce tea to Europe. Catherine of Braganza brings the tea tradition to the English court, beginning Britain's centuries-long relationship with the leaf.
1773 · Colonial America
The Boston Tea Party
Tea becomes a symbol of political resistance. The destruction of tea shipments in Boston Harbor sparks a revolution and forever intertwines tea with the story of liberty.
1800s · India & Ceylon
The Tea Trade Expands
The British establish massive tea plantations in India and Sri Lanka, transforming global agriculture and creating the Assam and Darjeeling traditions we know today.
Present · Worldwide
The Modern Tea Renaissance
A growing movement returns to artisanal, single-origin, ceremonial-grade tea. Ancient traditions are being rediscovered and honored in a world that desperately needs slowness.
The Digital Academy
How the Academy Extends the Ritual
Every Sip Tea ritual — in a hotel room, at a spa, or in your own kitchen — carries a quiet continuation. Scan the card beside your cup and the Digital Academy opens: the cultural history of your tea, the brewing guidance for your vessel, and the mindful practice behind the pause. The ritual you began in person follows you home, so a single cup becomes a practice rather than a moment.