“Eco-Cha was created to represent the artisan tea industry in Taiwan.
Following decades of direct contact with farmers and learning the
history and current trends of tea culture, we founded our company in
order to share this experience that continues to captivate us. We
recognize that tea lovers around the world have developed a level of
appreciation for fine tea that warrants a responsible resource to learn
more about this hand-crafted product that is rooted in an age-old
tradition. Eco-Cha aspires to offer you a unique opportunity to
understand and experience the world of tea culture in its current state
in Taiwan.”
Following decades of direct contact with farmers and learning the
history and current trends of tea culture, we founded our company in
order to share this experience that continues to captivate us. We
recognize that tea lovers around the world have developed a level of
appreciation for fine tea that warrants a responsible resource to learn
more about this hand-crafted product that is rooted in an age-old
tradition. Eco-Cha aspires to offer you a unique opportunity to
understand and experience the world of tea culture in its current state
in Taiwan.”
Living in Taiwan and involved in tea culture there for about 20 years, Eco-Cha officially launched 1 year ago. Currently, they a running a quite successful Indiegogo campaign to raise awareness for traditional, small-scale tea making and share the story of an inspiring tea farmer, Tony Lin, along with an exclusive batch of tea from his new, certified organic farm.
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| A view of the new certified organic tea factory from the entrance. |
Mr. Lin is at the ripe young age of 60 and has over 30 years of extensive experience
in the industry. He is a tea farmer in Lugu Taiwan that is returning to his roots
and going small-scale organic. Mr. Lin began learning all about tea as a teenager in his hometown,
which happens to be the source of Taiwan’s historical Dong Ding Oolong
Tea. You can learn more about Mr. Lin and his history with tea here.
in the industry. He is a tea farmer in Lugu Taiwan that is returning to his roots
and going small-scale organic. Mr. Lin began learning all about tea as a teenager in his hometown,
which happens to be the source of Taiwan’s historical Dong Ding Oolong
Tea. You can learn more about Mr. Lin and his history with tea here.
 |
| Mr. Lin with the very first certified organic produce from his newly planted tea garden. |
“This project is the culmination of 20 years of exploring Taiwan tea. Echo-Cha’s
recent connection with Mr. Lin, however, is what has brought this
campaign into being. Eco-Cha was initially conceived to support
sustainability in the local tea industry. They soon realized that the
traditional industry that predated large-scale tea production is
synonymous with sustainable practice – particularly now that responsible
farming practices have been recovered and innovated. They see Mr. Lin’s
current work in growing organic tea on his re-purposed family land and
building a refurbished factory in his home for organic tea production as
a prototype of our mission.”
recent connection with Mr. Lin, however, is what has brought this
campaign into being. Eco-Cha was initially conceived to support
sustainability in the local tea industry. They soon realized that the
traditional industry that predated large-scale tea production is
synonymous with sustainable practice – particularly now that responsible
farming practices have been recovered and innovated. They see Mr. Lin’s
current work in growing organic tea on his re-purposed family land and
building a refurbished factory in his home for organic tea production as
a prototype of our mission.”
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| Examining the tea leaves |
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| The leaves are repeatedly wrapped tightly in canvas cloth using this unique Taiwan invention that spins the ball of tea while the excess material is slowly released to twist into a knot before it is rolled. |
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| These are the magic rolling machines – a Taiwanese innovation in the tea industry. |
I encourage you to take a look at their Indiegogo Campaign – Promote Sustainability and Get Great Tea. Even if you can not donate much, $1 can go a long way and the lined up perks are nice. However, if you are not in the position to donate a simple share of the campaign will help greatly. Due to the amazing generosity of backers, Eco-Cha has already exceeded their goal of $10,000 and are now trying to reach a goal of $15,000. The original goal was needed to purchase the entire winter harvest to share with consumers and to produce a documentary to tell Mr. Lin’s story. The additional $5,000 will be going towards the repair of a damaged cabin on Mr. Lin’s
farm to create an educational space for students, farmers and others in
the tea industry visiting the farm.
farm to create an educational space for students, farmers and others in
the tea industry visiting the farm.
To learn more about Eco-Cha, feel free to visit their website for more information.