Where tea wisdom becomes a daily ritual.
Welcome to our quiet corner of the world, where we steward an intimate and profound relationship with Camellia Sinensis, simply known as Tea.
We teach people how to become tea students, not tea masters.
We provide tea services that bridge knowledge with artisanal craft.
Look around, stay a while, and reach out if you are curious.
You Might Be Here Because...
You feel called to tea, but unsure where to begin.
You want to bring tea into your work with integrity.
You’re already serving and want to deepen while honoring its roots.
You seek clear, skilled guidance.
You want to understand not just what to do, but why.
If this resonates, you’re in the right place.
What Makes Camellia Different
Outcomes Over Overload
Tea is vast. It's impossible to know it all, and overwhelming to try. Even experienced practitioners disagree on the details. Chasing completeness leads to confusion.
At Camellia, we focus on what matters. We teach the essence and the essentials for building a sustainable, authentic practice.
Slow Mastery
Depth cannot be rushed. We walk the slow path of patience and repetition, listening and attuning for the quiet arrival of effortless precision.
We value maturity over speed and integrity over ambition. Practice may begin quickly; true mastery takes time.
Deep Roots, Wild Branches
We honor the indigenous Chinese roots of tea and the teachers and traditions that shaped it. Innovation follows understanding, not imitation.
Like a tree drawing strength from its roots, tea practice remains connected to its origins while growing in harmony with modern life.
Integration of Mind, Body, and Spirit
Tea engages the whole person. It asks for intellectual clarity, embodied skill, and cultivated presence.
At Camellia, we honor this integration through the Three Gates of Tea™ so learning becomes whole rather than fragmented.
Before You Enter
This is not a lineage. Study widely. Learn from many teachers. You are responsible for your own path—and for honoring those whose wisdom you carry.
This is not a rulebook. There is no single correct way to pour tea, only principles that give form meaning.
We stay close to the Chinese translation. We use Chinese terms and direct translations whenever possible to honor the roots of this practice.
Tea Education
Three progressive levels of learning for all stages of the journey. Each level is a prerequisite for the next.
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Level 1 is a 5-day foundational guide to starting a solo tea practice. We will introduce tea as a daily ritual and meditative practice. Through bowl tea (碗茶, wǎnchá), you will learn to engage the senses, attune to tea’s energy (茶气, cháqì), and cultivate a simple yet profound connection with tea. This lays the foundation for starting your personal tea practice and for your journey as a lifelong student of tea.
Commitment: 60 minutes daily over 5 days.
Who this course is for: Level 1 is perfect for beginners and seasoned tea lovers alike. Anyone seeking to develop a mindful, personal tea practice is welcome. This is a prerequisite for Levels 2 & 3.
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Sharing tea is an intimate act that fosters connection and presence. Level 2 teaches you how to create meaningful tea gatherings by focusing on intentional service, aesthetic elements, and deep listening. Over 5 weeks, you will learn how to prepare and serve tea with grace, set up a welcoming chaxi (茶席), and guide guests into a quiet, reflective space. Whether offering tea to a loved one or a small group, this course equips you with the skills to transform tea into a heartfelt ritual.
Commitment: 2.5 hrs per week
Who this course is for: Level 2 is ideal for those who already have a personal tea practice and want to share tea in an intentional way with friends, family, or small groups. This is a prerequisite for Level 3.
Important note: Completing Level 2 does not grant permission to serve tea for personal gain (money or publicity). That boundary is explicit and intentional.
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This immersive 6-month mentorship is designed for those who wish to cultivate a refined and deeply attuned tea practice. Rooted in ChaXue (茶学), ChaDao (茶道), and ChaYi (茶艺), this course explores the profound relationship between tea, self, and nature. You will learn to set a formal chaxi (茶席) with intention, understanding how aesthetics, energy, and space create a transformative experience for both the server and the guest. You will learn four brewing methods, including GongFu Brewing (功夫茶), to develop your skills through attention to detail and discipline. Beyond technique, this level focuses on harmonizing inner and outer conditions, attuning to tea’s qi (气), and embodying the spirit of tea through devotion and practice. This journey invites you to refine your craft, deepen your awareness, and develop the artistry of serving ceremonial tea with presence and grace.
Commitment: TBD
Who this course is for: Best suited for those with experience in tea practice who are ready to deepen their knowledge and serve tea in a ceremonial capacity.
Tea Sommelier Services
Expert support for tea selection, sourcing, ceremonial pouring, and consultation. Each service is customized to meet your unique needs.
Tea Ceremony for Events & Gatherings
Custom Learning Experience
Tea Menu Design
Practitioner Consultation
Tea & Teaware Sourcing
Tea Evaluations
Our Ethos
荒徑有茶
(huāng jìng yǒu chá)
Along the overgrown path, there is tea.
We believe tea does not belong only to mastery, spectacle, or perfection. It appears where ambition thins, where paths grow wild, where attention softens.
荒徑有茶 names a way of practicing tea that values patience over speed, presence over performance, and integration over separation. Tea meets us wherever we enter and deepens as we learn to walk all paths.
This is a school for those who understand that there is no path to tea mastery except the one that guides us to become lifelong tea students.