Welcome to Kaeru Tea.
This is our story —
Hi there! Thank you for visiting Kaeru Tea. I’m Michelle, the owner of Kaeru Tea. Here’s a little about me, and how my labor of love - Kaeru Tea came about.
Prior to Kaeru Tea, I worked as a user experience (UX) researcher for many years. I loved my job. I enjoyed connecting with people from all walks of life and listening to their stories.
At the same time, I dreamed of creating a space where people could gather and connect authentically.
A few years ago, I embarked on a long trip to Japan. I was excited to pursue my interest in tea. I volunteered on several small, family-owned Japanese tea farms. I harvested and processed tea alongside the local farmers. I was humbled to experience firsthand the hard work that goes into making each cup of tea. I felt grateful for the genuine kindness of the farmers and their families. I knew then that I had to share this experience with more people.
To deepen my knowledge in tea, I have also completed certifications with the Global Japanese Tea Association (Kyoto, Japan), and Tea Talk Academy (Taiwan). I am also a practitioner of the table-style Japanese tea ceremony.
Kaeru Tea is a culmination of my interest in creating delightful user experiences, my passion for tea, and my desire to connect people in my community.
‘Kaeru’ (かえる・帰る） means returning home in Japanese. I hope you will feel at home and find comfort and joy when savoring our teas.
— Michelle