West China Tea
4706 North Interstate Highway 35 • Austin, TX 78751
512-887-8324 • westchinatea.com
The gift of a gaiwan, a small traditional vessel used for brewing tea, ultimately changed the trajectory of So-Han Fan’s life. During college, So-Han fell in love with the art of drinking tea, Chinese teas, in particular, and knew that tea was much more than simply a beverage for him but truly a lifestyle. After graduating from school, becoming a tea sommelier, and working as a Gong Fu–style tea master at Jade Leaf Tea House in Austin, So-Han was given an incredible career opportunity in 2010 that he could not refuse and decided to move to China to pursue it.
By exploring the vast provinces of West China and experiencing tea plants in their home environment, So-Han’s love for tea culture was only strengthened, and his dedication to finding “serious artisan tea” was turned from a hobby into a mission. After three years of calling Asia home and traveling with a suitcase full of fresh tea, So-Han came back to Austin and reconnected with the tea community that he knew and loved. Shortly after returning from China, So-Han was completely out of Chinese teas and did not want to settle for the imported American teas that he grew to dislike after experiencing the luxury of “the real thing.” So, after navigating a substantial amount of red tape with the government and securing legal permission to have the Chinese teas delivered to the United States, So-Han decided that the most feasible way to be able to enjoy the farm-direct teas and share them with others would be to start a business and acquire the tea in that fashion. West China Tea originated as simply an outlet for legally importing foreign teas to America, but since its inception, it has grown to be much more than just a beverage company, as some find it to be a safe haven and an inspiring place to frequent.
With an indoor-outdoor community space spanning more than 3,000 square feet and teas procured from 42 different sources and boutique farmers, West China Tea is an inviting and alluring destination for tea afficionados. The expansive building is designed for guests to come and experience tea in many forms through private and group tastings, yoga, traditional Gong Fu Cha, and even dance parties that last late into the evening. “The single product we sell the most of is sitting with strangers,” So-Han laughs. “We have a public bar and sit and drink the same pot of tea that everyone else is drinking. People will pay $5 to share a pot of tea and sit here for six hours.” Whether you choose to sip an aged white tea, Phoenix oolong, or a specialty puerh, you can’t go wrong with the extensive selection offered at the teahouse. Each brew is served pure without the aid or distraction of milk, sugar, or flavoring.
