I met Linda in late 2008 online via her Pu-erh tea company Bana Teas. When word of her tea’s varieties and quality hit Seattle it spread through the tea circles quick! Over time she has shared some stories with me of her tea adventures and I realized that it would be great to hear her story with tea and ask her about some of the aspects of the biz.
How and when did you get into tea, for yourself and for business? What is your background with tea?
I am a social worker by training. After obtaining my Master’s degree in Social Work, I went on to work in the public sector, first with abused children and then with custody disputes between divorcing or divorced parents. I spent 27 years serving families and children and later, the elderly. The majority of my career was with the California Superior Court in Los Angeles where, in my later years, became an administrator overseeing several departments.
Linda with a tea farmer in YiWu Mountain, of the Yi tribe. Click image to enlarge.
While working in administration, my work days were frequently hectic and the problems that required my attention sometimes seemed un-ending. I found myself needing a boost in the afternoon and sometimes wanted something more pleasing to my palate than plain water. I could not tolerate a second cup of coffee as it makes me feel anxious, which was the last thing I needed. I turned to tea. I found tea gave me the inner calmness to fend off the external chaos of my work day. I started to collect a variety of teas to suit my daily changing needs. Some days I needed a lighter tea, but on others days I craved for something with a more robust flavor. I started to read up on tea. My sister, who lives in Hong Kong and frequently travels to China, brought me the best Dragon Well and the rarest white tea. I had a big drawer to store tea and the tea gear in my office.
I quickly earned the reputation of “the tea lady” at the court. When I held meetings in my office, I offered tea instead of coffee. Everyone loved the aroma that permeated the room when I brewed and served the tea. I found that serving tea set a civilized tone and helped reduce everyone’s edginess. As you could tell, tea became an integral part of my life.
I began to fantasize having a job that is fun and doing something I love. I set myself a goal to retire early and start a tea business. That day came two years ago.
What is it like for you, being in the tea business? Benefits? Challenges?
The tea business means realizing a dream, meeting a personal challenge and doing something I love. It gives reason and motivation to further my study in tea; it also gives me the opportunity to travel and discover. When I visited the ancient tea gardens in Yunnan, I felt very close to nature. I stayed at the houses of the tea farmers and watched them fry and roll the leaves. I listened to their stories and learned their traditions. My tea business drew me to study Chinese history and the ethnic conflict between the Han and the minority groups living in Yunnan. Since I started Bana Tea Co., I’ve developed friendships with tea lovers all over the globe. It has been a fun ride so far.
Linda with her tea master. Click image to enlarge.
There are many challenges in starting and running an on-line business. On the one hand, the availability of the internet and computer technology offers an entrepreneur like myself the opportunity to own and operate a business in a manner that was not available in the past. On the other hand, running an on-line business is more involved than I had expected. For someone who is not technologically savvy, the learning curve of managing the website, familiarizing with the various marketing tools and knowing the business of search engine optimization is steep.
What is your personal approach to tea drinking? Any favorite way to drink/prepare/enjoy tea?
To me, tea drinking is part of my daily routine. It provides a respite during a busy day and great joy on a lazy day. At the same time, it facilitates a sense of community, friendship building, and art appreciation. I drink and enjoy tea in a variety of ways depending on the weather, my mood, who I am with and what I am doing at the moment. My favorite time to enjoy tea is when I am alone. Often, a cup of good tea reminds me that “life is good.”
What kinds of teas have you been enjoying lately? Any favorite?
Since I started my tea business, I have been drinking exclusively Pu-erh. The varieties of Pu-erh are endless and the flavors are ever changing. The Qi in Pu-erh envelopes my body with a warm feeling and relaxes me.
At a tea demonstration Linda did at the Pacific Asia Museum in Pasadena. Click image to enlarge.
How do you approach turning people on to tea?
America is a coffee-drinking country and most people don’t know much about tea. Turning people on to tea takes patience. My approach relies on education. Not having a physical store makes it difficult. That is why I try to put as much content as possible about Pu-erh tea on my website. I also offer tea tasting events at museums and teach a tea class at community colleges. People need a good tea experience in order to appreciate tea-drinking. Offering them good quality tea would be an important beginning.
What does “the way of tea” mean to you?
According to the sage of tea, Lu Yu from Tang Dynasty, tea represents minimalism and frugality. To me “the way of tea” illuminates the natural, pure and simple quality that I would overlook, leading to a deeper contentment in and a fuller appreciation of life.
What is your favorite aspect of the world of tea?
My favorite aspect is the way tea heightens our sensitivity, improves our mindfulness, and increases our concentration. Tea is not only a beverage, Beatrice Hohenegger, (the author of “The Liquid Jade” and the curator of the recent “The Art of Tea” exhibition at the UCLA Fowler Museum) wrote, “Beginning in China, spreading to Japan, traveling over the centuries to Europe and America, and the returning to Asia – this time India – tea has played a variety of striking role. It has been viewed as a promoter of longevity; incorporated in diverse cultural and religious practices; proven valuable and contentious in the context of history, labor, politics, and international trade.”
Linda Louie, is a life-long tea enthusiast, a student of tea culture, and the owner of Bana Tea Company, which specializes in Pu-erh tea.
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Wonderful article, it is always good to hear the story of an established tea connoisseur. Linda Louie’s passion for tea and the development of her company has done so much to introduced the world of authentic pu-erh to so many others, I am very thankful for all she has done and the knowledge she has offered me. The discovery of Bana Tea co. has developed an everlasting passion and love for high quality pu-erh teas.
-Jeffrey