Welcome to our very first TEAWITH interview series. This is a space where we slow down to visit friends from all walks of life, getting to know the humans behind the crafts through the simple, shared language of tea, food, and art.

On a quiet Wednesday morning, we found ourselves at the home of Nana, the founder of Plantation. We weren’t just there for the tea (though that’s always a highlight); we wanted to dive into her philosophy on aesthetics and the quiet rhythms of her daily life. Upon stepping inside, we were greeted not by a formal reception, but by the enthusiastic wagging tails of her two dogs, Loco and Scarlet.

On the Meaning of Home

What does ‘home’ mean to you?

"To me, home is a safe haven," Nana says, settling in. "It’s a place that brings me genuine joy—a space where I can truly be myself without any pretension."

Where is your favourite corner of the house?

"The kitchen, without a doubt! When I’m not at the tea studio, I spend a good many hours here. I designed it to be exactly what I needed: a semi-open space with sliding glass doors. It means I can entertain guests while cooking with a wok to my heart’s delight, without worrying about the smoke. I even tucked a water filter right by the edge of the sliding door, so I can fetch water for tea whether I’m inside or lounging out."

A Cabinet of Curiosities

Passing through the kitchen, the space opens up into a warm dining area. Resting against the wall is a three-tier walnut cabinet—a silent witness to Nana’s journey. It houses a collection of tea and teaware gathered over more than a decade.

It’s a beautiful, tactile history of her travels and tastes. We asked Nana to pick five pieces that feel particularly special to her right now; each one carries a story of a specific place, a maker, or a moment in time.

1. Tie-dyed table runner from Guizhou
I got this table runner on a recent trip to Guizhou which is famous for its tie-dying techniques. My teaware tends to be of an earthtone palette so I love how the blue just lifts up everything you put on it.

2. Handmade Cup from Steve Harrison
This was a gift from Steve to me for hosting the tea ceremony at his “Last Supper” dinner a year ago, marking the beginning of a very beautiful friendship. 

3. TEAWITH Kettle
If knives were the single most important tool for a chef, then I’d argue that a kettle was the same for a tea master, drawing a fine line between making or breaking a tea. The TEAWITH kettle is such a tool for me; providing an all in one solution with pour precision, the right amount of weight and ample aesthetics to make the perfect cup of tea with grace and ease. 

4. Tea caddy from Taiwan 
This tin caddy is made by renowned Taiwanese ceramic artist Wei Cheng Wu (吳偉丞), who usually works with clay. Known as the "architect of clay," Wu’s creative process primarily focuses on form, which naturally leads him to simplify the glazes and even not to glaze at all. This metallic tea caddy to me therefore represents this desire in the rawest form - a focus on the raw materials without any dressing; which is something we also adhere to in our tea curation. 

5. Teakha cups  
These cups are designed by a Beijing artist called Cui Rui and handmade in Jingdezhen - indeed they are the first pieces of ceramic work I’ve sourced! These are all I’ve got left now of these famous masala chai cups… 

With the sun hitting the teaware, it was finally time for a pot. Nana chose a Taiwanese Roasted Tieguanyin, a precious find from a small bag she cherishes, as it’s becoming increasingly difficult to source. The aroma of the roast filled the room, grounding the conversation in that familiar, toasted warmth.

How do you find inspiration for building Plantation?
Inspiration for me comes from anywhere. Food gives me a lot of inspiration in reimagining flavours, whilst nature often provides aesthetic inspiration. Most importantly however is to draw inspiration from my own upbringing and life experiences in order to build something relevant and meaningful. 

What visions or hopes do you see in Plantation Teas, and keep you going for it?
I hope that Plantation can continue to be a forerunner in the tea industry, pushing the boundaries of what tea could be and eventually how we can integrate traditional Chinese culture into modern lives.

Before we packed up our notes and left the dogs to their naps, we sat Nana down for a few rapid-fire questions. 

• Teapot or Gaiwan? Gaiwan

• Cold-brew tea or Kombucha? KOMBUCHA!

• What’s you Go-to drink at home? My very own milk tea which is a cross between an English Breakfast, HK style milk tea and a Taiwanese milk tea. 

• What’s the must-have on your tea table? A small snack