An Afternoon of Brushes and Aromas: This Was “Draw & Sip Taiwan: The Art of Tea and Ink”

On Saturday, July 5, 2025, we experienced a vibrant fusion of Taiwanese art and culture as Arte Formosa HN, with the collaboration of Satoricha, presented "Draw & Sip Taiwan: The Art of Tea & Ink". Held at Workbox in the city of Tegucigalpa (Honduras), the event invited participants to slow down, recharge their creativity, and immerse themselves in an afternoon of peaceful inspiration and cultural exchange.

The sensory journey of Oolong

The first part of the event was guided by José González, known as the Hat Bearer at Satoricha.com, who led a tasting of Milky Oolong, sourced from the Alishan Mountains in Taiwan and provided by Sean, CEO of Trilliant Tea Industry.

Participants not only sampled tea, but also learned about its production, the aromas that characterize it, and how to identify its main notes. The experience was enriched by the use of special cups brought from Yingge, one of the most famous ceramic districts in Taiwan.

As a special detail, attendees took home the cups they used during the session, a sample of Milky Oolong tea and were able to enjoy delicious handmade cookies and snacks made by local pastry chef Grace Café.

Ink strokes traced on rice paper

The second part of the event was guided by Honduran artist Eduardo Lorenzana (@dragovanloren), who introduced attendees to the art of Chinese ink on rice paper. With traditional brushes and basic techniques, participants created their own illustrations. Some were also encouraged to draw Chinese characters.

There’s something truly special about witnessing how participants engage with new materials and gradually find their artistic voice. Rice paper and Chinese brushes can be a bit intimidating at first—the paper is delicate, and the brush techniques require intention. But thanks to Eduardo’s encouraging presence and charismatic instruction, everyone was able to fully enjoy the process of bringing their illustrations to life.

Special moments and collaborations

The event was also full of special moments:

• An interactive trivia round was held, in which one lucky participant won a box of Milky Oolong tea from Trilliant Tea Industry.

• Thanks to the partnership with Lounge (@loungehnd), all attendees received free access to a demo class, choosing between English, Chinese, or French.

Another highlight was the release and introduction of the Oolong Voyage newsletter, a joint effort of Trilliant Tea Industry and Satoricha that seeks to continue spreading the culture and market of Taiwanese oolong tea internationally.

A special thank you from 14,660 kilometers away

This event would not have been possible without the valuable support of Sean, founder and CEO of Trilliant Tea Industry, whose generous collaboration with Satoricha made an authentic and enriching experience a reality, allowing us to share a little piece of the cultural soul of Taiwan in Honduras and the art of tea.

An experience to remember

“Draw & Sip Taiwan” was not just a class or a tea sampling: it was a sensory journey that brought people together through art, tea, and cultural dialogue. Participants took away new learnings, tangible memories, and the desire to continue exploring the traditions that connect East and West.

This was our second in-person event, and we truly hope it’s just the beginning of many more gatherings like this— both in Honduras and maybe somewhere else (who knows?). We’re committed to continuing our work promoting the local creative industry while presenting meaningful cultural experiences inspired by Taiwan’s rich creative industry. Little by little, we will also be sharing more of our journey in English, so that more people can discover what Arte Formosa HN is doing to connect communities, celebrate creativity, and build bridges between Honduras and Taiwan.