A Tea Belle's Journey
Thank you for investing time on learning more about the importance of sourcing finely crafted loose leaf, single estate and artisanal teas. We look forward to you experiencing what we experinece while on your journey to learn and procure finely crafted teas from around the world..
San Francisco's Chinatown
Years ago, while walking around San Francisco, I came across a small tea shop on Grant St. in Chinatown. I was met by the owner's son who asked me what my favourite tea was. I was surprised by the question as I had never thought of tea as having provenance. I had only ever purchased bagged teas from my local grocer. The thought that tea was available or different than what I had already known never entered my mind.
With a generous spirit and supreme knowledge of Chinese teas, he spent the afternoon introducing me to finely crafted teas from China's most reknowned tea producing regions.
An Early Favourite
In a single afternoon, I was introduced to white teas such as Bai Mudan and Silver Needle, historically significant-highly regarded Dragonwell from the Zhejiang Province, high mountain oolongs from Formosa, Phoenix & Wuyi, sultry smoldering black Lapsang Souchong, and earthy robust Pu-erh from Yunnan. While each tea hails from the same leaf, the growing, and processing yeilds unique outcomes. Each having a wildly different flavor profile, I was hooked on the varying experiences and could not decide. I was incredibly stunned to learn that there were so many options to consider.
We discussed the art of tea, the history of tea, the cultural and ceremonial aspects of tea, and its global influence. He introduced me to mythical legends and fables of how tea was discovered and shared around the world. I enjoyed the experience and realized that early on, picking a favourite was an unnecessary pursuit.
Learning More
From that day on, I became incredibly curious about tea. I was curious about its journey through history and its impact on the world. I began reading books about the history of tea, the art of tea, and the culture of tea. As I networked with other tea connoisseurs, I was introduced to other tea-producing regions of the world. I took tea certification classes.
Like a wine sommelier, my palate matured and while there were thousands of tea options for me to select, I understood that I was only interested in teas grown sustainably by small farmers. The authenticity of artisanal teas grown by farmers who only use traditional, natural, clean practices, valuing the long-term soil and surrounding environment health.
From Passion to Business Owner
Join us on our global journey to experience premium teas
What began as a personal passion project—creating custom tea blends and gifting them to friends and clients—soon grew into something much larger. The thoughtful uniqueness of each blend resonated deeply, inspiring me to design bespoke packaging and launch our first website.
Today, as a proud founder and steward of Symphony of Leaves Tea Co., my mission extends far beyond the cup. We are devoted to supporting small, artisan farmers who cultivate tea responsibly, harvest ethically, and ensure fair, equitable wages for their communities.
Your continued support makes this journey possible. Together, we’re not just sharing tea—we’re celebrating craftsmanship, culture, and purpose in every sip.
✨ Join us in sipping purposefully—explore our collections, share your favorites, and invite others to experience the world through tea.