Introduction
In May, I had the pleasure of meeting Cordula Paetzel at KOS-Tea, where I was immediately impressed by her profound knowledge of Chinese tea and how much our perspectives aligned. Cordula’s deep connection to Chinese tea culture, paired with her meticulous approach to sourcing and educating, has led her to create Beimake—a brand dedicated to offering the finest Chinese teas. This interview delves into her journey, challenges, and future aspirations. She also gifted me with one of the best Jasmine Green Tea, I have ever tasted. A couple of months later, I had the pleasure to interview her and get into depth of her story with tea.
Photo: Cordula, founder of Beimake. Photo credit: Beimake
Lorela: Cordula, thank you for accepting this interview. I am particularly interested in how you source your tea. How do you ensure the quality of the teas you source from China?
Cordula: I only buy tea from farmers whose production facilities I have personally visited, often for many years. I make my assessments based on the tea fields' location, the condition of the tea bushes, and the surrounding unspoiled nature. These farmers are not just suppliers; they are friends, often introduced through trusted connections. This type of friendship, known as "guanxi" in China, is crucial in ensuring I have personal access to the highest quality teas. Beyond the technical aspects like health certificates, my relationships and impressions are key to guaranteeing quality.
Lorela: It sounds like your relationship with the farmers plays a huge role in your business. How did you develop your understanding and perception of tea quality?
Cordula: It’s been a journey of experience. I first encountered tea in Long Jing, near Hangzhou, where I lived for some time. In the 80thies, tea culture in China was in high turmoil due to the political and social situation, and tea farmers were uncertain about their future. I fell in love with tea during this period and began to develop my understanding of quality through countless comparisons and tastings. Relationships are crucial; tea farmers would often introduce me to their friends in other regions, deepening my appreciation and knowledge of tea quality.
Lorela: Speaking of tradition, what drew you to focus on artisanal tea production, especially in a world where modern processes dominate?
Cordula: Chinese tea culture is the oldest in the world, with its methods documented in early written and pictorial sources. What fascinates me is that these traditional methods are still used today. Visiting a tea farmer and seeing them employ techniques described centuries ago feels like stepping back in time. Even with modern machinery, the essence of traditional tea production is preserved. This deep respect for tradition and mastery drives my passion for artisanal tea.
Lorela: You also have a deep interest in Chinese calligraphy and arts. How does that passion influence the way you approach tea?
Cordula: Chinese calligraphy, painting, and tea are deeply interconnected. In traditional Chinese culture, intellectuals would sit in nature, writing calligraphy while a servant prepared tea. This practice reflects the harmonious relationship between nature, art, and tea. I studied calligraphy to understand this connection more deeply. For me, tea is a product of nature that flows through the veins of art, much like the Buddhist monks who drank tea to stay awake and focused during meditation and writing.
Lorela: That’s a beautiful connection! How do you go about selecting the teas for Beimake? Do you have a specific process?
Cordula: I offer my teas through my website and during seminars and workshops where customers can experience the tea with me. I provide detailed information about the tea farmers, their production methods, and the specific conditions of their tea fields. I also educate my customers on how to appreciate tea for its taste and all their senses. Understanding tea is a journey—one that requires patience and openness. It’s not something you can grasp in just one session or workshop; it’s a slow, deliberate process of learning and experiencing.
Lorela: What challenges have you faced in promoting authentic Chinese teas, especially in the current geopolitical climate?
Cordula: The biggest challenge is overcoming the scepticism towards Chinese products, especially given the political climate. Many people don’t trust products from China, but I emphasize that tea is different. It’s a deeply respected part of Chinese culture and history, and the farmers I work with are committed to ecological, sustainable production. Tea in China has always been seen as more than just a beverage; it’s a sort of medicine to strengthen the body and mind. My goal is to help customers see that tea is not connected to the politics they might associate with other Chinese products.
Lorela: Given the challenges of travelling, especially in recent years, how do you maintain your relationships with the tea producers?
Cordula: Maintaining these relationships requires regular communication and visits. Despite the challenges posed by COVID-19, I usually travel to China twice a year. Next year, I plan to visit three or four times. These trips are crucial for staying connected with my tea producers, seeing their latest developments, and ensuring the quality of the tea remains high.
Lorela: Sustainability is such a pressing issue in agriculture. How does the Chinese tea industry approach sustainability, and what changes have you seen?
Cordula: Sustainability is increasingly important in China’s tea industry. Most of the tea produced is consumed domestically, and the demand for healthy, organic products is growing within China itself. The government supports this shift by providing financial aid to farmers transitioning to ecological methods. The focus is on producing tea without harmful chemicals, reflecting a broader commitment to sustainability and health in Chinese agriculture.
Lorela: Can you explain the significance of the Chinese character for tea in your branding and your connection to calligraphy?
Cordula: The Chinese character for tea used in my branding was carved by the renowned artist Yuan Shun, 袁顺 who I’ve known since the 1980s. He researched ancient pictograms and incorporated the radical for grass into the character, making it look like a small tea plant. This makes the character not just readable but also visually evocative, even for those who don’t understand Chinese. The history of the tea character is fascinating—before the 8th century, when Lu Yu standardized it, many different characters were used to represent tea. This connection to history and tradition is something I’m proud to showcase in my brand.
Lorela: What are your plans for Beimake?
Cordula: I’m focusing on expanding our tea travel experiences, allowing more people to explore Chinese tea culture firsthand. I’m also considering how to grow my tea imports, although this requires careful planning. Additionally, I’ve always dreamed of producing a documentary about tea, and I’m currently in discussions with Chinese television networks to make this a reality. There’s so much to share about the people and stories behind Chinese tea, and I’m excited about the possibilities.
Lorela: How do you adapt your business practices to meet customer demands, and what are your best-selling teas?
Cordula: Adapting to customer demands is an ongoing process. I have customers who ask for the same tea year after year, and I make sure to keep those in stock. For more discerning customers, I bring back special teas from my travels that are not widely available. My best sellers are always fresh harvest green teas, particularly from regions like Sichuan. I encourage new customers to try these teas, which are delicate and require careful handling. I recommend drinking them within the same year of production, as they align with the principles of Chinese traditional medicine.
One of the most outstanding Jasmine-scented green teas from Beimake shop.
Jasmine Tea From Hengxian
Delicately scented green tea
Short description: Jasmine, fragrant, fine, elegant
Origin: Ya'an tea garden/ Hengxian blossoms
Harvest year: April 2024
Preparation recommendation: 100ml/3g/80°C/20s.
This tea can be brewed at least 6 times, extending the infusion time by 10 seconds each time.
This jasmine tea comes from Hengxian County, a fertile plain to the east of Nanning. This area is famous for the best jasmine flowers in China. It is also the world centre for jasmine tea! 75% of China's national jasmine tea production comes from here, and as much as 60% of the world's production! If you want to perfume your tea with the best flowers, send your green or black tea (or oolong) here for refinement.
The basis of this fine jasmine tea is green tea from the Mengding Mountains in Sichuan, produced in the style of a Biluochun. The green tea is then blended with jasmine blossoms that have just blossomed in several stages and separated from them again. As a result, only a hint of jasmine clings to the tea leaves and every sip is an elegant pleasure. Incidentally, jasmine tea is considered a mood enhancer in China.
Conclusion
This interview with Cordula offers a window into the world of Chinese tea through the lens of a passionate expert. Her dedication to artisanal methods of tea production, combined with her deep respect for Chinese culture and art, makes Beimake a unique and authentic tea brand. Cordula’s journey is one of learning, experience, and connection, and through Beimake, she invites others to join her in exploring the rich heritage of Chinese tea, one sip at a time. I will be more than proud to represent and offer her tea at the Berlin Tea Festival, on 23 November 2025.
All the photos were provided by Beimake and can be found on the official website.
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