Lunar New Year

February 18, 2026

This edition of the newsletter is sponsored by

Hello everyone,

Happy Lunar New Year! As 2026 unfolds, we enter the Year of the Fire Horse – a time charged with vitality, daring, and unbridled spirit. The Horse gallops into our lives as a symbol of freedom, passion, and bold possibility, urging us to embrace change with courage and grace. May this year ignite fresh journeys, deepen connections, and remind us that renewal is not just tradition, but a living rhythm we carry forward together.

Marking the Lunar New Year, I bring to you a story of discovering a rare, endangered tea – the Laojunmei. The article talks about how an ancient text – The Dream of the Red Mansion, led to the discovery of a long-lost tea cultivar – the C. sinensis cv. laojunmei.

It is an interesting tale of exploration, discovery, and heritage. Do check it out.

Don’t forget to share the stories with your friends, family, colleagues, or anyone who you feel would enjoy reading them.

Wishing all our readers a very, very happy lunar new year. Have a great year ahead!

Yours in tea,

By Hoya Ho Kian Leong

How an Agronomist Resurrected an Endangered Tea from “A Dream of the Red Mansion”

Chinese agronomist Luo Sheng Cai discovered a passage in the Dream of the Red Mansion (紅樓夢) that describes a precious long-lost tea [Laojun Mei] 老君眉– C. sinensis cv. Laojunmei

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Until next time.

Bhavi Patel, Editor, Tea Journey Magazine

Bhavi Patel, known as Banjaran Foodie, is the editor of the Tea Journey Magazine and a distinguished tea and coffee expert with a background in dairy technology and brand building. As a trusted writer for renowned publications including Perfect Daily Grind, Barista, and STiR Magazines, she combines scientific expertise with storytelling to explore specialty beverages.

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Bhavi Patel

Bhavi Patel, known as Banjaran Foodie, is a distinguished tea and coffee expert with a background in dairy technology and brand building. As a trusted writer for renowned publications including Perfect Daily Grind, Barista, and STiR Magazines, she combines scientific expertise with storytelling to explore specialty beverages.