This year I again had the opportunity to attend this event. As one would expect, the majority of the exhibitors were from China, though there was a slightly better representation from other countries this year than last. The exhibitors also seemed a bit more prepared to talk to attendees outside the region.
The attendees reflected a more international flair, for sure. I talked to visitors from Russia, Mexico, Australia, and several countries from Eastern Europe.
I really got more out of the Fair this year than last. A renewed acquaintance with a Buddhist monk whose community has a small organic tea farm just north of Taipei, and an successful meeting with Lin’s Ceramic Studio from Taiwan are bringing some exciting new offering to The Tea Smith.
Next time I will share some interesting tidbits from a couple of the seminars I attended on the state of tea in China. It is more dynamic than I would have considered it to be, given 5000 years of practice.
It’s a Big World… Drink it Up!