Chongqing - In a tranquil tea house adorned with a variety of teas and elegant tea sets in Chongqing Liangjiang New Area, tea master Shu Xiaohong gracefully performs the traditional Chinese tea ceremony for her guests. With over a decade of experience in the tea industry, Shu is dedicated to spreading traditional Chinese tea culture worldwide.

Shu Xiaohong is performing the traditional Chinese tea ceremony in her tea house. (Photo/Dai Yuan)

Shu's journey into the world of tea began with her major in tea science at university, where she gained in-depth knowledge of tea processing techniques, marketing, and tea art. This academic foundation sparked her passion for traditional Chinese culture and led her to work in an editorial department in Beijing, editing yearbooks on traditional Chinese tea art. This role allowed her to visit tea mountains and gardens, where she realized that her hometown, Chongqing, is a significant origin of tea culture with a rich history. In 2012, she decided to return to Chongqing to establish her own business, Chongqing Huiming Tea Industry Company, aiming to share the essence of Chinese tea with a broader audience.

"The initial stage was challenging, as there were few traditional Chinese tea houses in Chongqing," said Shu. "Our goal was not only to sell tea but also to offer tea art training. The first hurdle was to gain recognition and attract trainees." Despite the challenges, Shu actively engaged in various activities organized by the government and institutions in Chongqing, which helped her build a client base and secure opportunities for promotion. Shu's company has trained over 10,000 people over the past decade. "Through training, we have brought people closer to tea art and showcased that Chongqing can produce high-quality tea," She shared. Her trainees have since opened over 500 tea-related stores.

Shu Xiaohong frequently shares the traditional Chinese tea culture with international friends. (Photo/Shu Xiaohong)

Shu's dedication to promoting traditional Chinese tea, especially Chongqing's unique Covered Bowl Tea, has earned her numerous honors, including the Annual Entrepreneur Award in 2021, the 11th Chinese Youth Entrepreneurship Award, and the Special Prize for Chinese Youth Employment Promotion. She has also established Chongqing's first national-level tea skill master studio.

For Shu, tea art is not just a business; it's a cultural mission. She frequently performs tea ceremonies for foreign institutions in Chongqing, such as the consulates. Recently, in July, She was invited by the Japanese consulate to discuss Chinese and Japanese tea culture.

During her interactions with international audiences, Shu discovered their keen interest in Chinese tea. "A judge from Australia at the Belt and Road International Skills Competition told me he drinks Chinese green tea every day. Our tea culture is admired worldwide, with people often marveling at its diversity and deep culture," Shu said. This positive feedback motivates her to further introduce Chinese tea culture to global audiences.

"Chongqing's favorable climate, slightly acidic soil, and location within the tea production belt enable us to produce excellent tea from our tea tree sources," Shu explained. This realization led her to create the Chongqing-made brand Wuling Brown Tea by reviving an abandoned tea factory. Her goal is to produce high-quality tea and elevate the Chongqing tea brand to international fame. This initiative has also provided local tea farmers with employment, boosting their incomes. Plans are in place to export these premium tea products overseas, including the US, the UK, and France. "In the past, we exported bulk tea at lower prices. We aim to introduce high-quality Chongqing tea to the world, allowing more international friends to taste and appreciate our tea while promoting our tea culture," Shu outlined.

The Japanese consulate invited Shu Xiaohong to discuss the Chinese and Japanese tea culture. (Photo/Shu Xiaohong)

Although a businesswoman, Shu prefers to see herself as a spreader and inheritor of tea culture. She says the best way to preserve tradition is through innovation and outreach, a philosophy she actively practices.