All in This Tea

All in This Tea is a documentary film that takes the viewers on a journey of tea exploration throughout China. The movie is directed by Les Blank and Gina Leibrecht and features David Lee Hoffman, an American tea connoisseur, who is on a quest to find the best quality tea that exists in China.

David Lee Hoffman is a successful tea importer who had previously lived in China and has dedicated his life to finding unique tea varieties that people have not discovered yet. He travels throughout the country to different tea farms and factories to find hidden gems of tea that have been grown in the most optimum conditions.

He initially meets with Song Diefeng, a Chinese tea expert, who takes him on an adventure in the remote mountains of Yunnan. Here, they navigate through dense forests to find ancient tea trees that have been untouched for years. They meet with the local tea farmers there and get a chance to see how the tea is being produced, from cultivation to packaging.

The movie highlights the traditional methods of tea production and the importance of the human touch that goes into tea-making. It showcases the passion and the knowledge that the tea farmers possess about their product, and the pride in their tea-making heritage.

Throughout the movie, the viewers get to witness the different processes involved in tea production, including how the leaves are plucked, dried, and roasted. The movie also touches upon the modernization of tea production and the challenges faced by traditional tea farmers in keeping up with the competition.

David Lee Hoffman's quest for finding the best quality tea takes him to other parts of China, including the Fujian province, where he tries a unique jasmine tea that has been infused with the scent of jasmine flowers. He also visits the Hangzhou province, where the famous Longjing tea is grown. He meets with tea farmers and factory owners who make this tea, and he gets a chance to understand the intricate processes that are involved in making it.

One of the highlights of the movie is the visit to a tea auction in Kunming that David Lee Hoffman attends. He is hoping to bid on some rare tea leaves that have been produced in a small batch, but he faces stiff competition from other bidders who are keen on getting their hands on the same tea.

The movie also features a cameo appearance by filmmaker Werner Herzog, who is a friend of David Lee Hoffman's. He accompanies Hoffman on a trip to a tea farm in Guangdong and is amazed by the quality of tea that he samples there.

All in This Tea is a fascinating journey that showcases the beauty of Chinese tea culture and the dedication of the tea farmers who have been perfecting their craft for generations. It highlights the importance of sustainability and preservation of traditional tea-making methods in a world that is constantly changing.

The movie has exceptional cinematography, with breathtaking shots of the tea farms, mountains, and the tea-making process. It also has an engaging soundtrack that complements the narrative, making it an immersive experience for the viewers.

In conclusion, All in This Tea is a must-watch for tea lovers and anyone who is interested in exploring Chinese culture. It's a celebration of the human spirit, passion, and the love for tea that connects people across cultures and boundaries.