Phyu Thwe

​In the mountain town of Mogok, in Myanmar, tea trees grow among a landscape better known for its precious gemstones. For generations, the region's wealth has been associated with what lies beneath the ground. But for Phyu Thwe, there was another kind of treasure growing on her family's land.

​

Born in 1984 in the small village of Kyayk Saung, Phyu grew up surrounded by the close-knit community she would one day hope to support. In 2004, she moved to the UK to study, eventually becoming an accountant and building a professional life in London. Yet, as her career progressed, she became increasingly aware of the difference between her opportunities abroad and the difficulties faced by family and friends back home. While she was building a life in London, many people in her village struggled to afford even the essentials.

​

One day, Phyu realised that what she might spend on a beauty appointment in London could cover the living costs of her village for an entire month. It was a moment that made her reconsider what she wanted to do with her life.

​

She didn't want to simply send money home, though. Instead, she wanted to create something that would give people the opportunity to earn their own living, develop new skills, and build a more secure future for themselves and their families.

​

​​​​​Her family already owned tea-growing land in Mogok, where old tea plants grew naturally. She began to see the potential in those leaves: what if they could be carefully harvested and transformed into exceptional teas that people around the world would want to drink? Rather than pursuing another professional qualification or putting her savings towards a home in London, Phyu chose to invest in her family's land and the people of her village.

​

She trained in tea, including through courses at the UK Tea Academy, and sought the guidance of tea specialist Beverly Wainwright of the Scottish Tea Factory. Together with local tea makers, they began developing new methods for producing high-quality white, green and black teas.

​

In 2019, Phyu established a small tea-processing facility at Five Trees Estate, creating a new opportunity for the community to work with the tea that had grown in their region for generations. The first harvest was completed in December of that year. It was the beginning of a very different future for Phyu and her village.

 

 

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

 

 

​​​​​​

Traditionally, much of Myanmar's tea has been produced for local consumption, with limited attention given to the consistency and refinement expected by international speciality tea drinkers. Phyu saw an opportunity to do things differently.

​

Working with her team, she helped introduce a more systematic approach to tea production, carefully studying the harvest, weather conditions, processing methods and resulting flavours. The aim was not to imitate the famous teas of other countries, but to create something distinctive that reflected the character of Mogok itself.

​

Today, the estate produces three signature teas:

​

Tree Spirit White Tea is delicate and floral, with a gentle sweetness. Made only when conditions are right, it captures the subtle character of the early harvest.

​

Tiny Temple Green Tea is fresh and lively, with light citrus and tropical fruit notes.

​

Black Ruby Tea is rich and naturally sweet, with fruity character and a deep, reddish infusion that feels particularly fitting for a region famous for its rubies.

​

Each tea tells a different part of the story of Mogok, demonstrating what can happen when local knowledge is combined with patience, training and a willingness to experiment.