BLOOM: Olivia Chan, teamaster
BLOOM KIDS 2020 is a residency for choreographic creations, in this case by choreographers with their kids. Join us for tea, laughter and short dance films in the safety and comfort of your home, and ring in the new year. This is the 16th season of BLOOM at MascallDance.
Olivia is a rarity: a second generation Chinese merchant in the transitioning community of Vancouver’s Chinatown. Her father, Mr. Kwok Sun Cheung, opened the shop over thirty years ago, and brought his passion for tea. Training under her father, Olivia went on buying trips to China and learned the traditions of the tea business, from self-sourcing premium quality teas to mastering the tea ceremony. Treasure Green Tea Company offers an exclusive and diverse collection of tea, such as pu-erh tea cakes and Treasure Green's Emerald Silver green tea, ethically sourced from the most famous regions in China. Olivia always tells her customers, “Don’t be loyal to tea. Be loyal to your tea merchant.” She stills serves some of her Father’s loyal customers as well as a new generation of tea lovers drawn to the taste and health benefits. The doors of some of the traditional Chinese shops have shuttered, unable to keep pace with the changing face and economy. Olivia embraces old and new. She skirts both worlds, appealing to both eastern and western sensibilities. Olivia brings tradition, decades of tea knowledge and passion to her shop, coupled with modern décor and artisanal products, like exclusive camellia tea oil, tea martinis and organic iced tea, delicately cold infused with authentic premium whole leaves.
How has CVD19 affected your process?
In general, we need to be much more mindful of the various protocols, and of course, we have to work to always ensure virtual access. But we find ourselves very busy – teas have many properties that are useful in circumstances like this, with change, unpredictability or anxieties. A tea can calm or invigorate, and so on.
Of course, this is an unusual BLOOM – last time, we were sharing live dance and commentary with a live audience, this time, on-line – very different. But I support the arts in whatever ways I can. I have a lot of passion for it and want arts and culture to continue. I am inspired by movement.
I am both retailer and teamaster, guiding people to find the best tea. Sometimes during the pandemic pressures, I miss the luxury of a good conversation, the vibration of exchanging with people in person.
Tell a bit about how your process works in BLOOM?
I get very little information. Three adjectives. 3-4 photos. A short video clip. Whatever it is, I think deep, and what I receive, I translate into characteristics of tea. For instance, the image of running I recently received made me think about running very hard on concrete, the street, legs pushing, heart pumping, rushing; these images bring to mind a particularly robust tea which requires very hot boiling water to prepare.
How does this compare to a more typical tea consultation?
It’s different, as I’m not talking to the consumer. I’m interpreting visually, to maximize the experience. Whereas in the store I am literally understanding my customers’ needs, body type, health, and context. I consider what type of food makes them feel good or poorly. These elements aren’t part of the BLOOM selection process. BLOOM selection draws more on impressions and often mood - one dance might suggest a little softer tone, perhaps a round finish to set a mood for example. Anything can be inspiring – it couples with your mood, personality, feeling.
Photos: Rennie Brown
