Zhao Li Li

How long have you been growing tea and what got your started?
Before working with tea, I was a worker in a bag factory. I had worked there for 5 years, but the business in the factory was very bad and I had to leave there without payment. I had a very hard life until I found a chance to work in the tea garden. It is good that I can work and get reasonable payment to make a living now.

Can you describe a typical day out in the field?
I start very early in the morning at 6 and go out at 7. I will go to the tea mountain to pick the tea leaves. In the afternoon I will bring the tea leaves to the primary factory and get my payment.

What is your favorite part of growing tea?
It is good that I can get payment the same day after plucking. I had bad experience to work in the previous bag factory and got no payment. As a result, I can buy what I want for my home and pay for my kids' education.

Conversely, what is the hardest part of your job?
I hate rain, because the payment will be lower than sunny days. Sometimes if it is raining hard, I can not go out. My family is very poor and we do need to work as much as possible.

Are there any tips you can give on how to best brew your tea? Any advice?
When you drink the tea in your cup, please cherish it. It takes lots of hard work from a tea leaf to the final cup of tea. So use good tea set or teapot to brew our tea.

What do you think makes your tea unique or better than others
The location of Keemum is very important. This area makes a very good cup of tea. Keemum black teas are famous in the world with its special sweet and pleasant taste. I think it is the best black tea in the world.

What is your favorite tea to drink and why?
I love our keemum black tea, because I think it is the best black tea in the world.