As I sit here writing, the weather’s been playing tricks—blue skies one minute, pouring rain the next, with a dash of hail thrown in! You know what would make it better? A nice cup of tea. There’s something magical about freshly brewed tea that just makes everything feel right.

Speaking of tea, let me share a hidden gem with you. Tucked between the Scholar’s Courtyard and the Yun Shui Teahouse at Lan Su, there’s a beautiful banner that reads “飲綠” [yǐn lǜ], which means “Drink in the Green.” How perfect is that? It invites you to take in the greenery of the courtyard that is so lush that it’s a feast for your eyes “to drink”, while also hinting at the green in your cup— the tea, is waiting for you just steps away. This is one of the reasons I love the Chinese language—it captures so much with just a few words.

What is your favorite kind of “green in your cup”? Mine is Wenshan Baozhong (文山包種), a lightly oxidized oolong with honey-like floral notes. It comes from Pinglin, Taiwan, and Fujian, China—both places steeped in tea culture. Growing up near Taiwan’s world-famous tea farms, tea tastings were a regular part of life for me. On my last trip to Fujian, China, (my mom’s home province!) I saw tea tables set up outside of almost every home, with vendors inviting people in for roasting demonstrations and tastings in lovely tea rooms—truly tea culture at its finest!

“But Venus, we’re not in Taiwan or Fujian!”

I know, that is why this spring, I’m bringing that tea spirit to Lan Su! We’re currently launching the Scholar’s Tea Table, a series of tea-centric programs and special events in March and April. You can explore tea ware exhibits, attend penjing and tea talks, join a “Steep & Paint” workshop, and enjoy our three-day Spring Tea Fair where local teas and spring blossoms are in perfect harmony. And if you’re a member, I am inviting you to join me for a special tea & poetry Curator Tour on Mar. 19 where we’ll explore garden poetry, including “Drink in the Green,” and finish with a cup of, you’ve guessed it, my favorite, Wenshan Baozhong, at our Yun Shui Teahouse.

Here’s to many cups of green this spring!

Venus Sun
Vice President of Culture & Community
Lan Su Chinese Garden