Jordan Gilstrap
Intern #172/Tea Fairy #1
USA, Washington state.
Instagram: @jordansteaadventure
Before Obubu
I worked in retail, and working with tea was only a dream. In my free time, I research tea and its different cultures. I felt I needed to know more and have hands-on experience, so I looked up tea internships, and Obubu was number one. This was 3 yr before I applied to become an intern at Obubu. I followed Obubu and saw the amazing things that Obubu was doing, so I applied. I didn’t get in, so I applied again, and I got in. I’m glad I did!
Why Obubu
My dream is to own a tea store, not just any tea store but one that showcases all the different teas and cultures. Why tea? When I was younger, I grew up drinking tea, whether it was hot tea, sun tea, or ice tea. I loved anything and everything. All my birthdays were tea parties, and I even had small miniature tea sets on all of my cakes at my birthdays. Tea became a part of my life. A passion for tea began.
At Obubu
I fell in love with tea farming, processing, and different teas, as well as the people here!
Most of my days, I was in the tea fields, harvesting, trimming, and deep cutting, and I was in the factory, helping process the tea, or having tea adventures! I was the first intern to learn how to use the Hojicha Machine! I love learning so much about Japanese tea and Japanese culture, and I can’t wait to share what I have learned! I think I got on a new level as a tea lover! I love knowing how and why tea is made the way it is, and It made me love it more. One of my favorite things is the smell of tea production. Whether it is fresh cut leaves or the leaves that are drying, it smells incredible, and I will never forget it.
What’s next
I will never forget the days I was here. I love Obubu, and I will miss the Obubu family a lot.
Now, I don’t know what my next adventure will involve, but I have a feeling that it will involve tea!
English (UK) 
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