The Talk: OK so we’ve all tried green tea, but after this you’ll never drink your cup of cha the same way again. Our session is designed to provide cultural and historical context on the plant that changed the world (an adventure which takes us from China to the UK by way of devious international espionage!) plus a demonstration of loose leaf tea prep, including the accessories required to make a good cuppa the proper way. In China, tea appreciation is an art every bit as complex and sophisticated as wine culture is in Europe, and Tracy will offer some tasting notes to ensure you enjoy your brew in a new light.

Speaker: Tracy Lesh

In 2007, Lesh left Florida as a coffee-drinking mortgage lender to follow her spouse to China. When she arrived, she was amazed to discover that tea has a 5,000-year history, opening the door to a whole new world. She is now a certified tea expert who has designed and led tea-focussed educational experiences through the wholesale markets of Shanghai as well as to the best-known plantations of Hangzhou and Suzhou.