Tea Girl Field Trip: OSULLOC Tea Museum, Jeju 🍵

It’s been a while since I’ve written about a tea spot.

The slightly embarrassing truth? I’m kind of a tea snob. I know big surprise! 🙃

Maybe it’s because my family has been in tea for so long, but there aren’t that many tea cafés I visit and immediately think: yes, I need to tell people about this.

Which has me wondering lately…

maybe I should just open one? lol.

I’m currently in Korea for something personal and giving myself a little space to reflect on life, Flowering Waters, and what direction I actually want to move toward next.

And apparently my preferred method of soul-searching involves drinking a lot of tea.

So naturally, I found myself at OSULLOC Tea Museum (오설록 티 뮤지엄) in Jeju.

OSULLOC’s relationship with Jeju tea began in 1979, while the museum opened in 2001 to introduce and preserve Korean tea culture. Today the space extends beyond a traditional museum into tea fields, a roastery, café, gardens and immersive tea experiences. (VISITKOREA - Imagine Your Korea)

And that was what inspired me most.

The green fields outside. The restrained architecture. The calm interiors. Beautiful tea drinks. Exquisitely made sweets. Thoughtful presentation.

Everything contributed to the experience.

It reminded me that perhaps what I’m searching for with Flowering Waters isn’t simply a way to sell more tea.

I’m interested in creating places and moments where people actually want to experience it.

To sit:::To talk story:::To taste something beautiful:::To slow down for a minute.

I don’t know exactly what that looks like yet.

And maybe that’s okay.

I’m going to be in Korea for a little while, so consider me temporarily out of office and very much in research mode.

Tea fields to wander.

Cafés to investigate.

Beautiful things to eat.

Ideas to collect.

Korea really does know how to make a café beautiful, so I’m going to soak it all in and see what follows me home.

BRB, tea babes. 🍵🌿

Maybe I’ll come back with a business plan?

Maybe just a suitcase full of tea.

We’ll see. 😌

xo,
 Flowering Waters