A Different Kind of Tea Tasting — Rediscovering Tea Without Commerce
In a world saturated with commercial tea tastings and sales-driven workshops, our approach is deliberately different. At ZIYO, tea is not something to perform or sell — it is something to honour.
This tea tasting session is an invitation to return to the core of tea: just drinking — slowly, with care, and in full presence.
We offer no sales pitches, no pressure to buy, and no generic blends. The teas we share are rarely found in shops: seasonal harvests, aged leaves, and small-patch teas from independent growers, primarily rooted in Taiwanese oolong but spanning the full spectrum of tea — white, green, yellow, oolong, red, and black. Each session is unique and responsive to the moment, the weather, and the people present.
The Tradition of Wei Cha (煨茶法)
At the heart of our session lies an almost-forgotten brewing technique: Wei Cha, or slow-charcoal brewing. A practice rarely seen even in Taiwan, it uses gentle charcoal heat to extract tea slowly and steadily. Unlike modern or commercial methods designed for speed and repeatability, Wei Cha invites patience. It’s unsuitable for mass tasting events — and that’s exactly why we do it.
The pace of Wei Cha changes the way we drink. It brings attention to subtle textures, shifts in aroma, and the silent moments between sips. The tea becomes not a product to be evaluated, but a cultural gesture — ephemeral, intimate, and complete in itself.
What to Expect
A quiet, charcoal-brewed tasting guided by the slow pace of Wei Cha (煨茶法)
An unlimited selection of teas drawn from six traditional categories — white, green, yellow, oolong, red, and black — as well as carefully aged varieties
A focus on flavour evolution, seasonal character, and the emotional tone of each brew
Guided insights into brewing techniques, teaware, and tea’s cultural roots
A tranquil setting where conversation is welcome, but silence is honoured
And here’s the revised Booking section with the addition:
Booking
Sessions are hosted in South West London and are offered as private one-to-one or two-person maximum experiences, allowing for full attention and personal exploration.
Duration: Approximately 120 minutes
Price: £75 per session
Includes: Unlimited tea selection and full guidance throughout
Advance booking is required.
→ Click here to book or visit the booking form on the Tea Tasting page.
