AN EXCLUSIVE GARDEN TEA EXPERIENCE
BOTANICAL GARDEN TEA EVENTS
Enter The Forbidden Tea Realm
Are you searching for unique events for a botanical garden? Explore immersive tea experiences that DELIGHT members.
ONE-OF-A-KIND TEA EXPERIENCES TO: ENLIGHTEN ENRICH ENCHANT EDUCATE ENGAGE
Powered by TEA: The Drink That Changed The World
ENCHANTING GARDEN TEA EVENTS BUILT FOR BOTANICAL GARDENS
Where Tea is Infused with The Human Spirit.
Your members won't just drink tea—they'll feel TEA, and all of its wonders.
Every great botanical garden shares the same mission — to connect people with nature and the plant world and enrich lives through it.
Our Garden Tea Experience exists for the same purpose. Tea begins as a plant: Camellia sinensis, ancient trees rooted in the cliffs of China's Wuyi Mountains, tended by hands across generations.
We bring that TEA REALM from the garden to the cup — a one-of-a-kind educational experience your members will remember, a fundraiser that supports your mission, and a season of tea culture your community can return to month after month.
Beyond afternoon tea, our exclusive Garden Tea Events journey into the evolving tea culture throughout the millennia — blending endearing stories, infused with rich traditions and heritage.
Together, we celebrate this divine beverage — for Tea is a Cup of Humanity.
Every Garden Tea Experience is tailored to your members and your garden.
EXPLORE
HISTORY OF TEA
From Wuyi Mountains to Boston Harbor, how a humble drink shaped empires, trade, and taste.
ENLIGHTEN
ZEN TEA
From temple to teapot — the spiritual roots of tea, and the peace of mind found in a single teacup.
EDUCATE
THE ART OF TEA
The Gong Fu Cha tasting tradition, and the artistry behind every pour, pot, and cup.
ENRICH
TEA & NATURE
From cliff-grown trees to timeless terroir — the natural plant world behind every cup of tea.
ENCHANT
THE FILM JOURNEY
From forbidden mountains to your garden, enjoy exclusive footage with the filmmaker who shot it.
ENGAGE
TEA & WELLNESS
Discover tea's amazing health benefits and simple rituals that calm the mind for modern day living.
WHAT MAKES OUR GARDEN TEA EVENTS UNIQUE
INTIMATE FILMMAKER Q&A
Open, unscripted conversation where your members ask anything.
FORBIDDEN FOOTAGE
Never-before-shared stories and footage from the forbidden tea regions.
GONG FU CHA TEA TASTING
Authentic tea tasting of Wuyi teas from the TEA Documentary.
MEANINGFUL CONNECTION
Awaken the tea spirit within, and among your community.
HOW TEA EXPERTS LOVE the TEA DOCUMENTARY
LOVE
"A love letter to tea."
—Norwood Pratt, Tea Historian & Author of "Tea Lover's Treasury"
MOST ENCHANTING TEA EXPERIENCE
"The photography is breathtaking; the storytelling completes the experience. By far, the most enchanting experience of tea that I have seen."
—FaithAnn Bailes, World Tea Conference + Expo
HONORING TEA'S RICH TRADITIONS
"The film has captured the essence of tea’s history in a beautiful way that honors the beverage’s rich traditions and communal spirit. Quite an accomplishment! Secondly, the cinematography is mesmerizing!"
—Bruce Richardson, Boston Tea Party Ships & Museum Tea Historian & Author of “A Social History of Tea”
ONE SHARED MISSION
WHY GARDEN TEA EVENTS
"I’ve been fortunate to gain unprecedented access to China's most guarded Wuyi tea regions—filming inside the forbidden mountains, bringing you secrets that have never been shared outside these sacred tea fields. I’ve talked with generational tea makers whose heart-work and wisdom moved me beyond words."
"FULFILLING A SHARED PURPOSE"
"Tea requires that we trek the timeless terroir, say hi to all the plants and birds and animals, breathe the fragrant air, sit with the singing streams, and taste tea with its makers, then come home and tell a good story."
TEA IS A CUP OF HUMANITY.
WHO ARE GARDEN TEA EVENTS FOR
BOTANICAL GARDENS SEEKING TO ENRICH THEIR COMMUNITIES
Our One-of-a-Kind Garden Tea Events bring together kindred spirits sharing more than just a love of tea. We celebrate tea, nature, and humanity.
WE'LL MAKE GOOD PARTNERS If You're:
PASSIONATE ABOUT EDUCATION
Gardens whose mission is teaching, from horticulture to culture and history
INCREASED MEMBERSHIP VALUE
Seeking fresh programs that deliver immersive experiences to members
BUILDING CULTURAL BRIDGES
Connecting your community to the living traditions behind the plants
MEANINGFUL FUNDRAISING PROGRAMS
Events that support your mission while enriching the people who attend
"Blown away! Chinese culture and the world of tea are even richer and more meaningful than I ever imagined.
Throughout the documentary, I could really feel everyone's passion and respect for tea - every detail reflected true dedication and love. Christy and her team clearly put their hearts into the research, storytelling, and shooting those beautiful landscapes. I truly hope more people, whether they love tea or are just curious, get to watch this and experience just how powerful and meaningful tea culture can be."
— R. McConnell
WHAT GARDEN TEA EVENT PARTNERS CAN EXPECT
AN EXCLUSIVE GARDEN TEA EXPERIENCE THAT SETS YOUR BOTANICAL GARDEN APART
Bring our immersive Garden Tea Events to your botanical garden and give your community something they have never experienced anywhere else: ancient wisdom, rare teas, and cinematic storytelling that transforms how every guest sees their daily cup of tea.
OUR GARDEN TEA EXPERIENCES Deliver:
ENGAGEMENT
An immersive experience that awakens the senses, sparks conversation, and draws members closer.
BELONGING
Where members and neighbors gather as one community, united by the timeless ritual of tea.
DISCOVERY
Ancient wisdom that opens minds to Cha Dao, the Way of Tea, and the culture behind it.
WONDER
Curiosity in every cup, as guests discover something new, humbling, and enriching to the soul.
"It is the kind of experience where you say to yourself every 10 minutes, 'I did not know that!'
The film covers centuries of history, lore, and intrigue about how tea, which seems like such a simple drink, really changed human history."
— Dante Pirouz
ABOUT TEA: THE DRINK THAT CHANGED THE WORLD
Mesmerizing. Captivating. Fascinating. A Cup Of History.
"A love letter to tea"
— Tea Historian Norwood Pratt & Author of "Tea Lover's Treasury"
THE STORY BEHIND EVERY GARDEN TEA EXPERIENCE
TEA: The Drink That Changed The World reveals the never-before-told story of tea's epic journey from China's mystical origins to a global phenomenon. Shot in China's forbidden tea regions of the Wuyi Mountains—the birthplace of Oolong and Black tea—this 90-minute documentary uncovers the most audacious tea heist in history.
Featuring exclusive interviews with generational tea masters, including the 24th-generation descendant of Black tea's inventor, viewers discover how this simple beverage sparked the American Revolution, fueled the British Empire, and became humanity's most cherished drink. From ancient Buddhist temples to historic Boston Harbor, this cinematic masterpiece transforms how you see your daily cup.
HOW AUDIENCES LOVE THE TEA DOCUMENTARY
READY TO BRING TEA CULTURE TO YOUR BOTANICAL GARDEN?
MEET YOUR GARDEN TEA EVENT HOST
茶，吸天地之灵气，集日月之精华。
"Tea draws the spirit of heaven and earth, and gathers the essence of the sun and moon."
— Chinese saying
Christy Hui is the Director/Writer and Producer of TEA: The Drink That Changed The World, on a mission to preserve tea traditions and celebrate humanity through nature and tea culture. A lifelong tea aficionado who grew up watching her father practice Gong Fu Cha in China, she spent seven years creating this TEA Documentary, gaining unprecedented access to film in China's forbidden tea region of Wuyi Shan—the heart of tea history.
Her filmmaking journey deepened her love for Mother Nature and tea, the essence of heaven and earth. The tea realm is mystical, boundless. Through immersive tea gatherings, she fulfills her purpose of enriching people's understanding and appreciation for the plant world and tea, as this simple beverage holds timeless values that elevate the human spirit for mindful living in our increasingly digital world. #TeaSpirit
"TEA FOUND ME. AND I'M GRATEFUL TO SHARE THIS CUP WITH YOU."
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
ABOUT BOTANICAL GARDEN TEA EVENTS
What is a Garden Tea Experience at a botanical garden?
A Garden Tea Experience is a 90-minute tea culture program for botanical gardens. It pairs a talk with the filmmaker behind TEA: The Drink That Changed The World, never-before-seen footage from China's Wuyi Mountains, an authentic Gong Fu Cha tea tasting, and an open Q&A. It fits naturally into member education series, seasonal programming, cultural events, and fundraising calendars, and every program is tailored to your garden's audience and mission.
Can a botanical garden tea event be a fundraiser?
Yes, a botanical garden tea event makes a natural fundraiser. Your garden sells tickets to members and the public, and the event supports your mission while delighting your community. A sponsor, such as a premium tea brand or wellness partner, can also help underwrite the program. Every partnership is shaped around your garden's goals. Email us at Hello@TeaDocumentary.com or fill out the form below.
How is a Garden Tea Experience different from afternoon tea?
A Garden Tea Experience goes beyond the teacup, into the culture behind it. Afternoon tea celebrates tea as a social ritual; a Garden Tea Experience explores the history, craft, and living plant behind every cup. Guests hear stories from China's forbidden tea mountains, see footage no one else can share, and taste the Wuyi teas featured in the documentary. If your garden already hosts afternoon tea, this adds an educational, one-of-a-kind chapter your members have never experienced.
What themes can a botanical garden tea event explore?
A botanical garden tea event can explore six themes. Choose from History of Tea, The Art of Tea, Tea & Nature, Tea & Wellness, Zen Tea, or The Film Journey, each suited to your members and your season. Every theme shapes the talk, the stories, and the tasting, while the Gong Fu Cha tea tasting and the filmmaker Q&A remain at the heart of every event. Themes can also be combined into a signature program.
Can this become an ongoing series for our members?
Yes, a Garden Tea Experience can grow into a year-round series. Because each theme offers a different lens on tea, your garden can build a season of tea: The Art of Tea in spring, Tea & Wellness in summer, a Zen Tea gathering in autumn, and a Lunar New Year celebration in winter. A series gives members a reason to return and gives your calendar a signature thread throughout the year. Plan your garden tea event using the form below.
Who will enjoy this experience most?
A Garden Tea Experience is designed for curious minds. Garden members, lifelong learners, history lovers, mindful-living enthusiasts, cultural explorers, and tea lovers of every level all find something to savor, and no tea knowledge is needed. Guests who have never given their daily cup a second thought are often the most delighted by what they discover. It is a welcoming program for members, donors, and the wider community alike.
What audience size and space suit a botanical garden tea event?
A botanical garden tea event suits about 30 to 200 guests. That range keeps the tasting personal and the conversation lively. A seated space works best, whether a lecture hall, an event room, or a covered garden setting, and larger audiences can be accommodated with the right setup. Every garden is different, so the format is shaped around your venue and your members.
What teas will guests taste?
Guests taste authentic Wuyi Rock Tea and Black tea, the teas at the heart of the documentary, prepared in the traditional Gong Fu Cha style. These are two of the six types of tea, and each sip connects to the stories and landscapes in the film.
Do guests need to watch the documentary first?
No, watching the documentary first isn't required. Guests who see TEA: The Drink That Changed The World beforehand often find the experience even richer, because they arrive with questions for the filmmaker and recognize the places and people in the stories. You can watch the film free on Tubi and YouTube, or ad-free on Amazon, so it's easy to share with members before the event.
What does our garden provide, and what do you bring?
Your garden provides the venue and your community. We bring the complete experience: the filmmaker presentation, exclusive footage, the Gong Fu Cha tea tasting, and the Q&A. When sponsors are involved, they can help underwrite the program. We promote the event together as partners, so every Garden Tea Experience is turnkey for your team.
How do we promote a botanical garden tea event?
We promote every botanical garden tea event together. You receive a complete co-promotion package, including social media copy, email and newsletter content, and promotional materials, ready to share through your garden's channels. We also promote the event to our own community of tea lovers, so every Garden Tea Experience reaches beyond your membership and welcomes new visitors through your gates.
How do we get started?
Getting started takes one short form. Plan your garden tea event using the form below, or email Hello@TeaDocumentary.com, and Christy will be in touch shortly to schedule a conversation about your garden, your members, and the season you have in mind. Together, we'll shape a Garden Tea Experience that becomes a highlight of your calendar. Let's make tea magic together.
LET'S PLAN YOUR GARDEN TEA EVENT
I'm thrilled you're here. Let's make garden tea event magic together.
Christy, your fellow tea lover