Sofia is a tea designer from Buenos Aires, Argentina who is passionate about tea. She interviews Sofia, who discusses growing up drinking tea introduced by her sister and finding her calling in tea design after studying it in school. Sofia emphasizes the importance of treating tea with care, such as using the proper temperature and steeping time to bring out the best flavors.

1. A cup of life
JUNE 1, 2018
SHANTIWINDS
I recently interviewed friend of mine from Buenos Aires
who is a tea designer. While I admit, I’m more of a coffee
fan (I do enjoy the odd cup of tea in the afternoon – like I’m
enjoying now), I found Sofia, her passion and the world of
tea pretty fascinating. Not only did I get a chance to learn a
lot about teas, I was lucky enough to have the chance to
interview Sofia. So, whether you want to take your love for
tea to the next level or no! Whether you are just starting out
with tea or are a seasoned tea drinker, you’ll want to read
it…!
There’s something for everyone!
You are…
I am Sofia from Buenos Aires. A part of my family, from my
mom’s side, is Armenian. They left Armenia and moved to
Argentina during the Genocide. There was a time that I
wanted to know more about myself, so I started by looking
for my family history. After that, the desire to visit Armenia

2. and reconnect with my family showed up. I moved from my
parents’ house and of course my expenses grew. Then I had
an aunt, who was always talking about the country and also
she told me about Birthright and TUMO. She was sending
me videos, and photos for like a year and so I did some
research and the first thing said after that was “I don’t know
how, but i want to be in that place.” I worked hard, put
together all my savings, applied to Birthright and now I am
here!
What do you mean by saying tea designer?
In tea sphere to design a tea means to blend or to make a
mix. For example when I came to Gyumri, I was given red
basil. I looked for information about it to see with what I can
combine it. I also think about colors and how will the blend
look. If I choose green I have to see which pallet can work
better. Then, I go through my book of medicinal plants and it
takes lots of research. After choosing the ingredients I work
on the formula for my new blend and do the measurements.
I usually take 10 grams to try the new one and divide it in
parts to see which herb or plant in which amounts should be
used and it takes you lots of practice and drinking tea to
understand if the formula works or no.
When did you start drinking tea?
Growing up I remember always drinking tea. My sister
traveled a lot, so she always brought teas from different parts
of the world, she even has this very big book called “The tea
route” that I could never finish but I will do it one time. I have
started being more into it when I have started meditating and
practicing yoga I guess.
Not a coffee fan than?
In my case yes. I don’t drink coffee now because I found out
that it makes me feel bad, something that never happens
after tea. We all have this idea that we need coffee, to wake
up. See, the coffee has caffeine and the tea has thane. It’s
the same molecule with some differences. The caffeine
excites you very quickly but once the effect is gone in one

3. hour or two you feel tired again. With tea is different. It
stimulates you and it takes like 30 minutes to work but then
it can last from 6 to 8 hours. It is also about habit. If you have
been a coffee drinker for many years then your body will
crave for coffee longer before the habit is switched.
What was your parents reaction when you said you want
to be a tea designer?
In the beginning It was difficult to tell my parents about my
decision of going to tea school because they prefer me to
study engineering. But because of my background in
electronic arts, it didn’t take them a long time to accept it. My
sister was very supportive though. When I told her, she gave
me the confidence I needed and I just went for it.
When was the first moment of “awakening”, knowing
that that’s exactly what you want to dedicate your time
and energy to?
It happened when I was working on my final project. I had to
design a line of six teas, including the packaging and
everything. I never felt so easy and comfortable with work
before, and so that was the moment when I knew I want to
share my teas with the world.
How is your attitude towards tea is different now?
I think now, I have a different perspective on tea and its
world. You know when you eat vegies you eat life, for me it’s
the same with tea. When i drink tea, I’m drinking life,
combined with some flower or spice and as much as it
sounds cliché, I really believe that there is a whole world
behind a cup of tea.
What is your tea type?
Green tea. Drinking it, in some ways, is similar to meditation.
It maintains you awake but not excited. You can feel calm
and concentrated.
What is your tea ritual?
The whole process of creating a new blend is a ritual. How
you treat tea is very important. I love doing yoga and some
meditation before in order to relax and concentrate. I usually

4. start my morning with a black tea. After lunch I prefer
drinking green tea and before going to bed I always put on
some music and relax while enjoying my herbal tea.
Coffee is a conversation starter, what about the tea?
For me it’s the other way around. I always say ”Oh we
should drink a cup of tea together” and if it’s in a new place

5. for me, better then.
Something that you carry with you everywhere when
you travel?
My weightier and my measurement spoon. But I never carry
plants or herbs to another country because I love
experimenting with new ones. It’s so fun!
What are some of the “must have” skills for a tea
designer?
I think you should be patient and passionate for what you
do. It’s not a lesson you can learn in one day. Being a tea
designer is a nonstop learning process. It comes with lot’s
of failing formulas but every failure is a new discovery and
lesson.
Your advice to all tea drinkers is…
DO NOT BOIL THE WATER for hours. The temperature is
extremely important so does the time of tea infusionating with
water. Each tea type has its specific timing. Once you learn
more about that and put it in practice you will never drink
spoiled tea ever again!
Thank YOU for reading and thank you Sofia for the interview
Check out Sofia’s website for
more https://www.spandablends.com/