Tea Travels
We source our teas directly from farmers with whom we have a committed partnership. Traveling to tea growing countries every year, we support tea farmers around the world including those in China, Taiwan, Japan, Korea, Vietnam, India, Nepal, and Sri Lanka. We have gone to great distances to source all of our teas directly from their regions of origin. Our tea menu is arranged by country, and each tea tells its own story based on our travels and experience with each variety.
Since we opened the first tea room, we have made more than 50 tea trips beginning with our first trip to India in 1995. We visited hundreds of tea plantations, wild gardens, monstrous factories, or tea markets. We have met hundreds and perhaps thousands of people for whom tea is a source of livelihood – from the most common to those for whom tea has provided more than a decent livelihood.
In our exclusive offerings, you can also purchase teas through which you will support our idea of helping a sustainable way of farming and preserving biodiversity in tea regions.
Thailand, 2023
Teas Sourced: Pa Pae White Forest Temple Tea
Sri Lanka, 2020
Teas Sourced: Ceylon Adam's Peak and Ceylon Tiger River
Eastern China, 2019
Teas Sourced: Dragon Well, Bi Luo Chun, Lu'an Gua Pian, PuTuo, Ti Guan Yin
Taiwan, 2018
Teas Sourced: Milk Oolong, Bao Zhong, Ruby Oolong, Tung Ting, Bai Hao
India & Nepal, 2017
The focus was on certified organic gardens and suppliers. We visited Shangri-La Tea Garden in Nepal and Singell Organic Tea Estate in Darjeeling, India.
Teas Sourced: Darjeeling, Assam, Nepal Ilam First Flush
Yunnan, China,Vietnam, Laos, 2016
The area of the Golden Triangle (includes southern China, northern Laos, western Myanmar, and northern Thailand) is the historic origin of the tea plant on Earth. Here the wild tea leaves are harvested by hand by members of local tribes. In northern Vietnam, the Hmong tribe members of the Ha Giang Province harvest and process wild tea from ancient trees. On this trip, we discovered Sa Bang (Tea in Bamboo) at the northern border of Laos.
Teas Sourced: Puer, Dian Hong, Golden Buds, Dian Lu Eshan Green; Vietnamese Green & Black tea; Sa Bang
Japan & South Korea, 2014
In Japan, we visited our Japanese green tea supplier and tea master, Takadasan (photo). We then visited our private tea supplier in South Korea. Mr. Cho's family farm is located in the picturesque Jiri Shan Mountains in an environment of healthy and undisturbed vegetation. He harvests and processes his organic tea (Nok Cha and Wooricha) exclusively by hand.
Teas Sourced: Japanese teas, Matcha; Nok Cha, Wooricha
Taiwan, 2013
In addition to traditional landmarks, we visited Luku Town where the Tung Ting Top Quality Competition is held every year. We also visited and tasted creamy oolongs grown in the highest elevation gardens located in the Alishan mountain region.
Teas Sourced: Alishan, Milk Oolong, Bao Zhong, Bai Hao, Tung Ting
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Morocco, 2012
Morocco has been the great inspiration since the beginning of Dobrá Tea for designing the interiors of the tearooms.
Teas Sourced: Toureg Moroccan Mint Green Tea
Fujian, China, 2010
The city of Anxi in Fujian Province in eastern China is considered the center of oolong tea production.
Teas Sourced: Tie Guan Yin Oolong, WuYi Oolongs, Silver Needles, Jasmine Pearls
Japan, 2009
Teas Sourced: organic Japanese green teas, matcha
Sri Lanka, 2008
We climbed thousands of stairs carved in rock to the very top of Adam's peak. As such, one of our Ceylon tea offering on the menu is named after this mountain.
Teas Sourced: Ceylon Adam's Peak & Ceylon Tiger River
India, 2006
We visited tea plantations and observed hardworking women plucking tea in the Assam region of India.
Teas Sourced: Assam, Darjeeling