All photos courtesy of Pink Luk
Pink, what is a tea ceremony?
In China, a tea ceremony is called Gongfu Cha, which can be understood in English as the traditional Chinese tea ceremony. 'Gong' conveys the idea of excellence and craftsmanship, 'fu' refers to skills and experience, and 'cha' simply means tea. It is a ceremony where tea is tasted, serving as a social interaction, a form of self-expression, and a performance for the guests.
Can you describe the significance of tea ceremonies in your culture or tradition?
I am from Hong Kong, which is in Southern China, known for its Cantonese culture. Tea holds deep roots in our cultural and traditional practices. It serves as a means of showing respect to our guests and as a way to gather family and friends. Similar to how in Israel you have coffee time, we have tea time.
Do different regions in China have different tea ceremonies?
Yes. China comprises 53 ethnic groups and 34 provinces, each resembling a distinct country in terms of culture. Usually, we use the resources available in our province and make the tea ceremony our own way. For instance, Chaozhou Gongfu Cha represents the tea-serving tradition in Guangdong (Cantonese) province.
"I know that a lot of people say that gongfu cha helps them calm when they are anxious or having a tough day, but I disagree. I practice gongfu cha because my mind is always stable and calm; if it's not, I don't make the tea."
How do you prepare for a tea ceremony?
It depends on the occasion. Throughout the six years I've been practicing gongfu cha I've always ensured that the setting is clean and organized, with each piece of teaware placed correctly. But, From time to time, I like to change things up, such as using different tablecloths, cups, and flowers depending on my mood.
What role does mindfulness play in tea ceremonies?
Daoism and Buddhism both play significant roles in the tea ceremony, emphasizing the importance of being present in our lives. Around 1500 years ago, our ancestors explained how we can connect with ourselves and nature through understanding the philosophy while making tea. In simple terms, Buddhism emphasizes the simplicity and meditative aspects of tea, while Daoism focuses on harmony with nature.
How do you create a harmonious atmosphere during a tea ceremony?
It's very subjective; every detail reflects my personality and aesthetic perspective. From teapots to furniture, calligraphy, and pictures, there are numerous ways to present it.
That’s what I like about gongfu cha, it has rooms to express ourselves under certain rules. When my guests visit my tea studio, they immediately sense the environment we created and our deep understanding of tea.
Can you explain the symbolism behind the utensils used in a tea ceremony?
I would say it’s highly influenced by the concept of yin and yang in Daoism. When I serve the tea, it's like a constant movement and change— the flow is like the symbol of yin and yang, it keeps spinning, there is no force, it comes naturally from my body. Just like nature, it keeps changing throughout the four seasons.
What advice would you give to someone who wants to learn more about tea ceremonies?
Serving a tea ceremony is like a mental exercise. When I see people serving the tea, I know what’s going on in their heads. I know that a lot of people say that gongfu cha helps them calm when they are anxious or having a tough day, but I disagree. I practice gongfu cha because my mind is always stable and calm; if it's not, I don't make the tea. For those who want to learn more, I have an online course about gongfu cha, and you are welcome to join (click here to learn more about Pink’s online course). In addition, we offer a 10-day tea tour to Taiwan in June. The tour provides an opportunity to meet our farmers, focusing on wild tea plantations and culinary experiences with local chefs and other operators exclusively for us. (click here to learn more about the tour)
Can you share a memorable experience you've had during a tea ceremony?
I really enjoy engaging in high-level conversations about culture and tea processing. I've been teaching a course to train the new generation of tea hosts in Israel, and we're almost done with the second round. The fact that my students are from different backgrounds and culture make the whole experience more fun, especially when I see them improve their serving skills- nothing beats that sense of satisfaction.
What initially drew you to the practice of tea ceremonies?
The more I practice, the more I realize how much I don’t know. It’s a self exploration journey for me.
When did you move to Israel ?
I moved to Israel 7 years ago because of my Israeli husband. We have been in the tea business for 5 years.
Is it possible to purchase tea through you?
Yes, I have tea that is directly sourced from farmers in China, taiwan, Thailand, Japan and India. I offer five main types of tea - green tea, yellow tea, white tea, red tea, dark tea. (Click here to purchase)
Contact Pink Luk:
website: hoyumtea.com
Instagram: @hoyumtea