Terence took over the helm of the Police Tea Art Club in 2002, and since then has been doing his best to promote tea art as a wholesome hobby among Force members and their families, in support of the healthy lifestyle promotion within the Force. The club has boosted its membership to over 300 with various training courses and study trips for members.

Like many other Force members who have cultivated various hobbies as means to relieve work pressure, Terence opted for tea-drinking about 11 years ago after he had been hospitalised for several days with high fever probably due to his participation in operations against smuggling when he was working at the then Anti-smuggling Task Force. Since then he enjoys tea more and more because of its benefits to body and mind.

Terence has no doubt that tea, no matter which species it belongs to, is a tonic that brings peace of mind and keeps one's mind on work. "These are conducive to work!" he noted.

His favourite is green tea and he has a habit of sipping it every day. To enjoy tea's intrinsic taste, Terrence goes through an elaborate process of brewing tea. And he considers tea brewing a form of art. "This is because in the process, you have to get the right ratio of tea and water; get the water at the right temperature; and set the right time for brewing. Even the quality of the water also counts," he explained.

Terence is so fascinated with tea that he wants to find out more about the species, growing, harvesting, fermentation and storage of tea. To satisfy the quest for such knowledge, he has visited many tea plantations and factories on the Mainland and in Taiwan. And he has read many reference books to further his pursuit on tea art.

He has also visited many overseas tea markets to update himself on the wholesale and retail of tea, as well the types of tea available in the markets.

Terence has imparted his knowledge of every aspect of tea to Force members and their families by running training courses. The elementary course covers the ways to brew tea, while the advanced course covers selection, qualities, prices, and manufacturing of tea, etc.

"I hope those who have attended the courses are able to find the best tea for the money they have spent!" Terence noted.

In addition to training courses, Terence said his tea club organised several large gatherings every year for members and their families to share information and experience of tea art. The club has also organised trips to tea plantations and markets.

To promote tea art Force-wide, Terence will produce a special website for the benefit of more Force members.

Comments by PSG

Tea art or brewing tea requires one to be highly attentive to the process, including a proper ratio of tea and water and water temperature. This process helps ease one's mind by focussing on the present moment. This resembles a meditative state, in which one would experience more feelings of relaxation and tranquillity.

Reference:

SP Fung enjoys the elaborate process of preparing tea