Some things need no hurry.
Put the kettle on. While the water heats, open the tea and choose a cup. A tea cake belongs in moments like these: its flavour unfolds slowly, each infusion carrying something of the last, growing softer as you drink.
THEN has been keeping Vietnam’s ancient-tree Shan Tuyet tea since 1988. We describe each tea clearly to help you choose.
Design illustration. Six tins representing THEN’s teas and Tết gifts.
What are you looking for?
Tea to drink
An everyday cup at your desk, or time with a pot and cups? If you are new to tea, begin with a small 30 g pouch.Explore tea →Tea to give
Does the recipient already drink tea? A gift of tea is an invitation: when there is time, let us brew a pot and sit together.Choose Tết gifts →Tea to share through your work
For tea rooms, shops, or anyone who would like to introduce Vietnamese tea to friends and customers.Find out more →Choose tea around your everyday habits
You do not need to know the regions or the methods yet. Think about your next cup: where you will drink it, how much time you have, and whether you prefer a gentle aroma or little astringency. Answer five short questions and THEN will suggest two teas to try.
Three things each name tells you
- U2
- The method. U0 is raw tea. U1, U2 and U3 are ripe teas; the number is the number of pile-fermentation rounds.
- 2014
- The year the tea entered storage, not the harvest year or the age of the trees.
- Cao Bồ
- The mountain region where the tea comes from.
The U code is not a quality score. Each tea has its own character. We give you the details so you can choose for yourself.
Aged tea speaks quietly. Its depth does the talking.
Three ripe teas from Cao Bồ (Hà Giang), with different numbers of pile-fermentation rounds and different storage years. Brew each one and discover the differences for yourself.
Ripe tea U2-2014A tea cake to begin with. Cao Bồ, Hà Giang · 357 g cake · portions from 145,800 VND
1,728,000 VNDRipe tea U2-2006Stored since 2006, for a cup to take your time over. Cao Bồ, Hà Giang · 357 g cake · portions from 545,400 VND
6,480,000 VNDRipe tea U3-1998Aged tea speaks quietly. Its depth does the talking. Cao Bồ, Hà Giang · 357 g cake · portions from 810,000 VND
9,720,000 VNDPrices include 8% VAT. With your first order of 1,000,000 VND or more, we include a 30 g pouch of ripe tea U2-2014 for you to try.
Forest, time and hands
Forest
THEN’s tea comes from ancient tea forests high in the mountains of Cao Bồ, Bắc Hà and Tà Xùa. Shan Tuyet trees live among the clouds, rooted in rock, through season after season of rain and sun.
Time
Time cannot be bought or hurried. A piece of tea stored since 1998 holds years of careful keeping.
Hands
Ripe tea is made through pile fermentation. The maker follows the changes in the tea, judging when to open the pile and spread the leaves out to dry.
Gratitude, a connection, a little Zen
The name THEN evokes the Then traditions of the Tày, Nùng and Thái communities in Vietnam. For us, it recalls the words “Thank Heaven and Earth” and respect for the people who care for the tea forests. In English, “then” means “and after that”: a connection. Spoken aloud, THEN feels short, gentle and calm. It reminds us to be present in small things: breaking off a piece of tea, pouring water, waiting for the aroma to open.
Nurturing life through tea, nature and architecture.
A cup of tea to sit down with. A garden that brings nature closer. A space made with care for the people who live in it.
THEN Collective brings together THEN Tea, Am Trà Việt, JP Park and HQ Architecture. Each has its own work, with a shared care for what we use, where we live and the people around us.
Special teas for members
Alongside our listed teas, we keep a small selection of special teas in limited quantities. Leave your email to receive our newsletter and hear when one becomes available to members.
Thank Heaven and Earth.
Before you brew, pause for a few seconds and say those words quietly to yourself. Then make your tea as usual. Nothing elaborate. Just sincere.