Did you know that China recently canceled the titles of “Tea Masters”?
Yep. They’re gone.
In China, if a tea is made by a “master,” its price can jump ten times higher.
But people started finding out that some of these masters never even touched the tea.
They were simply selling their names.
So, the government stepped in.
They announced that those old “Tea Master” titles are no longer valid.
And you’re no longer allowed to use them.
And it’s not just tea.
The same thing is happening with masters in cooking, art, and other fields.
Not. Just. Tea.
Honestly, I’ve seen this firsthand.
During China’s economic boom, the tea market grew incredibly fast.
But it also became a little unhealthy.
Some teas were priced far beyond what they were actually worth.
And here’s the crazy part about the Chinese tea market:
Tea is heavily divided by region.
And each famous region can be divided again into specific hills, mountains, and even individual tea gardens.
In the past, “masters” were often the people giving these places extra value.
I used to sit in those business meetings all the time.
It made me really uncomfortable.
But back then, I didn’t have much choice.
Personally, I think drinking tea should be simple.
When you’re buying tea, look at the standards and certifications.
For example, China’s national standards, known as GB standards, or relevant EU certifications.
But sadly, many Chinese tea lovers overlook this.
Fortunately, some modern Chinese tea companies are starting to do things differently.
I’ve already found a few brands that carry full EU certifications.
That’s why the tea you see in my brewing videos always meets at least China’s national standards.
They don’t cost a fortune.
And they taste amazing.
So, what do you think?
See you in the next cup.