In order to further promote women's self-confidence, independence and strength, Zhangjiang Institute of Advanced Studies (ZIAS), with the strong support of the university trade union, successfully held the ‘One Family, One Tea’ Cold Brew Tea Workshop for Women's Small Families on 6 June, keeping in mind the theme of refreshing summer. With the theme of ‘Searching for Summer - Nature's Promise’, female faculty and staff members of ZJI (Center for Transformative Molecules) enthusiastically participated in the event, and went to a summer date combining the traditional tea culture and the aesthetics of modern life.

The activity was elegant and quiet, and the tea aroma was heavy. Under the guidance of professional tea masters, teachers experienced the production process of cold-brewed tea, in-depth understanding of the depth of Chinese tea culture - from the classification of tea, function, to the cultural heritage behind the different production processes, the tea masters narrated, intoxicating. Accompanied by melodious music, everyone sipped the tea while listening to the explanation, immersed in the physical and mental pleasure brought by the tea art.

The activity also thoughtfully prepared a wealth of refreshments and fruits, teachers sat around the exchange, tea and talk, the atmosphere is relaxed and warm. The aroma of tea and laughter mingled, and the tension and fatigue of normal work quietly dissipated at this moment.

Jiang Yanyuan, Deputy Secretary of Party Committee, ZIAS

While my previous knowledge of tea was limited to hot water brewing, this trade union activity allowed me to experience the unique charm of cold-brewed tea. Cold brewing tea is to use room temperature or cold water to steep tea leaves for a long time, which can retain the sweetness of tea leaves and reduce the bitterness. Watching the tea leaves slowly unfurl in the transparent glass pot, like flowers blooming in the water, instantly calms the mind.

This activity made me realize that traditional Chinese tea culture can also be ‘rejuvenated’. Thanks to the union's careful organization, let the traditional tea culture into the Institute of Advanced Study. A cup of cold-brewed tea is not only the taste, but also a kind of attitude towards work and life - keeping calm in the busyness and savoring the deep meaning in simplicity. I am looking forward to the next activity of ‘One Family, One Taste’!

Chen Xiangyang, Associate Professor, Center for Transformative Molecular Frontier Science (CTMFS)

I am very delightful to have a chance to meet with all of you and have a tea tasting on a summer day, which gave me a quiet moment and learnt a lot about tea tasting culture.

Zhang Liu, Director of Student Development Office, ZIAS

Sensing the aroma of tea with finesse, blending the flavour with wisdom. The one-hour cold-brewing tea seminar was like a rest for the soul, guiding us to stop at the right time in our busy working life and taste the tea together with others. We learnt to savour the beauty of every part of life in a relaxed manner, and realised that our work should be as silent as tea, with a long lingering rhyme and a lingering fragrance.

Author: Wuyao

Translated by HuangJu