Taiwanese Tea & Chocolate Tasting

Imagine boarding a slow-moving train, a warm cup in your hands, the scenery outside the window gently changing. Who would you invite to sit beside you - to share conversation, tea and chocolate?

This tasting is an invitation to travel through Taiwan by flavour. From lower elevation, urban tea regions to misty mountains, each stop reveals an expression of terroir, craft, and care.

Sam and Olivia have thoughtfully selected a lineup of artisan Taiwanese teas from , pairing them with bean-to-bar chocolates from exceptional chocolate makers in Canada, Thailand and Brazil. Each pairing is chosen to highlight harmony and contrast, where tea and chocolate meet, converse, and transform one another.

Guided yet relaxed, we will explore aroma, texture, flavour, and origin, learning how elevation, climate, and craftsmanship shape every sip and bite. This is a moment to slow down, to be curious, and to savour together.

So, who would you like to share this journey with?

Event Details:

• Date: April 4 & 5, 2026 (Saturday & Sunday)
• Time: 2:00 - 4:00 PM
  
• Location: , Unit 308 - 698 Seymour Street, Vancouver (Buzzer 308)

*Seating is limited to make sure you have the best experience possible! Please plan to arrive about 10 minutes before the session starts.

Meet your Hosts:

Sam Shem from Leaf and Craft

Sam Shem is the founder of Leaf and Craft and leads this tasting with a refined, creative approach to Taiwanese Tea, balancing traditional and modern brewing styles. With a background as an artist, curator, and pastry chef, and years of experience in fine dining. Sam emphasizes flavour, craftsmanship, and authenticity. Through multiple sourcing trips to Taiwan and close relationships with farmers and roasters, Sam presents small-batch teas a a ritual of connection, presence, and shared experience.

Olivia Wu from YI SHI Cacao Collective

Olivia is the chocolate guide for this tea and chocolate tasting and the founder of YI SHI Cacao Collective. A certified Level 2 IICCT chocolate taster with over a decade of baking experience, Olivia curates immersive bean-to-bar tastings that highlight flavour, origin, and craft. Having completed a tree-to-bar certificate in Taiwan, she brings a deep appreciation for cacao and invites guests to experience chocolate through thoughtful and sensory lenses.

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Host or Publisher YI SHI Cacao Collective