The Republic of Tea

Two unacquainted men left a business conference early. They shared a taxi to the airport, where they discovered they were also about to share a plane ride. Seven hours later, it was semi-settled. They would start a tea business together.

I didn't know much about their story when I ordered The Republic of Tea from the library. It was on a list of 100 Best Business Books and sounded intriguing. I also didn't know I was about to suggest a year-long "tea pilgrimage" to my girls.

It is probably subversive to call a year of pursuing something ordinary a "pilgrimage." But I'd already forged the way with another journey. So here we are. On Tea Pilgrimage.

The Republic of Tea showed up right on time, and I'm reading and discussing it with my 13-year-old (who stole it away and is already two-thirds through). The book is a delightful chronicle of a business, born and forged. It feels right— this playful treatise on business philosophy, packaging, tea markets and "Tea Mind."

After all, we have purposed to put tea on our minds (and in our cups) until at least next July. Who knows. Maybe this will begin a longer journey, like the 18 years that is now behind two men who left a conference early... and who are still filling cups (and minds) with tea.