how the evening unfolds
The evening begins as the autumn light fades across the Jordaan. By the time you step into the studio, the room is already dim — a single low lamp pools warmth onto a low wooden table, and the scent of dry leaves hangs in the air. Chen Hui Yi, senior tea expert for white, green and yellow varieties, greets each guest quietly, gestures toward a cushion, and invites you to settle. There is no rush. For the next two hours, the only task is to sit with tea.
Chen will start with a brief introduction, describing the tea we are about to share — perhaps an aged Lǎo Bái Chá (老白茶) from a small village in Fuding, or a gentle Huáng Chá (黄茶) from Mengding Mountain. He speaks about the leaf, its journey, and why evening sessions call for teas with deeper, slower energy. Then the first infusion begins. Water pours from a simple kettle, steam rises, and the quiet deepens.
For most of the sit-in, we remain in silence. Each participant receives a small gaiwan and cup, and Chen pours for each in turn. Sips are taken slowly, the taste unfolding across minutes. You might notice the tea changing — the first steep soft, the second sweeter, the third revealing a woody depth. Chen might occasionally offer a single phrase, something to hold in the mind, but the room stays still.
Around the halfway mark, there is a gentle invitation to stretch or to refill your cup. Some participants choose to step outside for a breath of cool air. The studio courtyard, if weather permits, remains open as a quiet space. When everyone returns, Chen may introduce a second tea — perhaps a Shòu Pǔ’ěr (熟普洱) from a Menghai fermentation, dense and earthy, a contrast to the lighter opener. The ritual repeats, each pour a measured act.
In the final half hour, the silence slowly eases. Chen opens a small discussion, fielding questions about the teas, about brewing at home, or about the philosophy of Chinese tea drinking. This is where members of tea.community often ask about sourcing, and many discover that the same teas are available through shop.thetea.app with a community discount. Chen recommends the evening tea module on tea.school for those who wish to extend their practice at home. The conversation never feels forced; it rises naturally from the shared experience.
As the evening closes, you are welcome to stay a few minutes longer, to finish your last cup in your own time, or to collect a small sachet of the tea you drank. The studio empties at its own pace. Outside, the Jordaan streets are quiet, and the tea still lingers in your chest — a warmth that travels home with you.
What you get
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A guided two-hour silent sit led by Chen Hui Yi
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A personal gaiwan and cup set to use during the session and take home
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Tastings of two carefully chosen evening teas (aged white, yellow, or shou puerh)
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A small bag (25 g) of the featured tea for home brewing
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Priority booking for future sit-ins when reserved through tea.community
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A printed card with the evening’s tea notes and brewing parameters
practical details
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where — Amsterdam Jordaan studio — exact address shared upon booking
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dress — comfortable, loose-fitting clothing; warm layers for the courtyard pause
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food & drink — no meal provided; filtered water and light rice crackers available
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accessibility — ground-floor entrance, step-free; wheelchair accessible
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language — english and mandarin chinese
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what’s provided — gaiwan, cup, cushion, and tea; you may bring your own meditation cushion
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weather — the studio is heated; outdoor courtyard use is weather-dependent