G'day and welcome to Chi Tea. For those that don't know me, my name is Mathieu d'Argent and in many ways, my whole life revolves around tea. Much of my time is spent drinking tea, exploring aspects of tea culture and chatting with tea friends and tea professionals. This passion of mine has taken me across continents and to distant places, to the tops of mountains and into mystical gardens looking over the shoulders of masters as they administer their craft.
Based on the Gold Coast, Queensland Australia, I have been a Tea merchant for over fourteen years. Life is great and you could say I'm living the dream. Tea inspires me, it gives me the motivation to travel and explore other cultures in search for the perfect cup.
The tea which I drink every day and specialise in, is artisan crafted, High Mountain Oolong (gāoshān chá). Over the years I have tried hundreds of Oolongs but the tea produced in finite quantities by passionate and sincere masters shine above the rest. What resonates and is important to me is not just the way the tea tastes and smells but above all is the alchemy, the way I feel from the tea and the conscious altering effects created form this complex little plant. This I believe comes from not only the terroir but also the human factor, the love, which goes into the processing and handling of the leaves.
My other love affair is with photography and filmmaking and rather than trying to paint my experiences with words (which is not my forte), instead I have chosen images to tell of my travels and research. So this blog will be visually orientated and coming soon, a series of small video clips which I have started compiling for a feature length documentary.
Taichung tea house
Hey Matthew, I met you a few days ago at Wray Organic Mt Gravatt. I think I said I needed a coffee, but you thought I needed a tea and gave me your card. Im glad you did – I love your blog and the beautiful imagery. I look forward to enjoying a cup of one of your teas soon!
Cheers, Anya.
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MATT D'ARGENT
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