The Tea Guy
Subscribe
X

Subscribe to Forte Magazine

The Tea Guy

For many tea is a chance to take some time out, to drink while catching up with friends or to satisfy those mid-afternoon cravings, but for Benjamin Neoh of Modern Tea, it was the perfect escape during a rough time of his life. “It was only when I started to have trouble with my mental health that I went to a naturopath and I tried all the tinctures and disgusting concoctions they give you,” Ben said, his expression reliving the moment.
“I’m not really good at sticking to anything that doesn’t give me a pleasant feeling so I guess I just progressed to tea – which was the most diluted form of those things – but the process is actually what got me more into it.”
While there are calming elements to drinking tea, the act of taking some time out and watching a dried flower flourish within the cup was much more therapeutic for Ben.
Growing up in a family where business was common talk, starting his tea company Modern Tea was the obvious pathway for Ben’s newfound passion and so far its creation has been nothing but natural.
“I know my strengths – so what I can do to feel productive, not work for someone but also to try and make it practical, and that’s why I’m doing something like this,” he says.
Modern Tea came to light from an unusual circumstance, and the purpose for putting his tea out into the world also sets it apart from other companies of today. Feeling as if he wasn’t doing enough for his community – which even involved a stint volunteering at Gateways – his company was also a way of achieving that.
“Another reason why I’m still doing this is because of all the people that I’ve met who have encouraged me,” Ben says.
“I know how important it is now to have people that care about what you’re doing and support it, whether they’re interested in it or not. It’s just that sense of community I guess.”
With his Pozible campaign nearing the halfway mark, the support is clear with the end goal firmly in sight. Since its creation almost a year ago there are several teas available, however, once the campaign is over Ben will be able to expand his range and reach of the product.
“This year for me has been to work out what I want it to be and where I want it to go, but next year will definitely be for me to find more places for it to go,” he says.
So far Modern Tea has three teas on offer inspired from the need for a simpler and higher quality tea experience. The range has a blend perfect for morning, day and night with one tea to wake you up, another to help with digestion and the last to calm the mind.
The range is already stocked at Mr Miller on Pakington St, Little Europe Café on Ryrie St and Capra Coffee in Hoppers Crossing, with each café taking on Ben’s tea through a mutual understanding and general connection.
To help Ben reach his goal visit his Pozible website or Facebook page.
By Amanda Sherring