Mid Autumn Tea Tastings in Victoria
On Sunday, October 5th, we hosted our very first public tea tasting in Victoria, marking a meaningful milestone for Leaf and Craft. Held at the newly opened tasting bar at Softer Drink, the afternoon brought together a small and thoughtful group of guests to celebrate the Mid Autumn season through tea, flavour, and shared experience.
Across two intimate sessions, guests began with a sparkling Oriental Beauty cold brew, a bright and refreshing introduction that set the tone for the tasting. From there, we moved into a traditional gongfu cha format, where each tea was brewed over multiple infusions, allowing guests to experience how flavour, aroma, and texture evolve with each steep.
The lineup included Jin Xuan Oolong, Gui Fei Oolong, Tieguanyin Oolong, and Indigenous Mountain Black Tea. Each tea offered its own distinct character, revealing layers of complexity through careful brewing and attentive tasting. This approach created space to slow down and fully engage with the teas, noticing subtle shifts that might otherwise be missed.
To accompany the teas, we shared a selection of seasonal and nostalgic treats, including mooncakes, pineapple cakes, and coconut cookies. These pairings added a sense of warmth and familiarity, connecting the tasting experience to the traditions of Mid Autumn.
What made the day especially memorable was the atmosphere in the room. There was a genuine sense of curiosity, openness, and engagement as guests asked questions, shared impressions, and immersed themselves in the tasting process. It was a reminder of how tea can bring people together in a quiet but meaningful way.
This event also marked the first tea workshop held at Softer’s new tasting bar, a space that felt both welcoming and intentional. We are deeply grateful to everyone who joined us and helped shape this first Victoria gathering into something so special.
A heartfelt thank you to Jonathon and Andrea for their support in making this event possible, and to every guest who came with such presence and enthusiasm. It truly meant a lot to share these teas with you.
We look forward to returning to Victoria soon and continuing to create more spaces for tea, learning, and connection.