Overview of Five Trees Estate

"A good tree can lodge 10,000 birds"

This Burmese proverb reflects the power of generosity - where one strong presence uplifts an entire community. This is the story of Phyu Thwé: the banyan tree of her village.

Nestled in Myanmar's Mandalay region in the serene highlands of Mogok village, the Five Trees Estate is a beacon for the future of Myanmar tea and the people.

Founded by Phyu Thwé, the estate marries the centuries-old traditions of tea farming with modern techniques to cultivate high-quality tea that embodies the region's unique terroir.

Focused on sustainability and supporting the local people, the Five Trees Estate is intended to transform Myanmar's traditional approach to tea farming. Phyu, a qualified accountant, returned to her native land to initiate the estate using her business expertise to create a social enterprise that creates opportunities and drives change in her village as well as provides tea of international standard.

The Five Trees Estate is 180 acres in size, with a combination of old tea bushes and new crops, all committed to the cultivation of special teas - from black and green to white teas - that capture the character of Mogok's special climate and soil.

Through her efforts, Phyu was recognised at The Leafies 2022 earning the "Tea For Life" award for her impact on economic recovery and community welfare, the Gold award for the Black Ruby tea and the Highly Commended award for the Tiny Temple Green tea.

Sustainability At Five Trees Estate

At Five Trees Estate, sustainability is not a buzzword; it's the model. The estate was founded on the vision to improve the well-being of the people of the Mogok region by giving them a chance to transcend poverty through sustainable and quality tea farming. Phyu concentrates on the long-term growth, not just for the estate itself, but for her workers.

Every choice within Five Trees Estate considers the influence on nature. Organic farm methods are adopted on the estate where no artificial pesticides and fertilisers are used so as not to spoil the quality of the soil, flora, and fauna of the surroundings. Water use is reduced through efficient irrigation systems, and the processing plant itself has been designed for energy efficiency.

Phyu also makes education and knowledge transfer a priority. Workers are instructed in good production methods and hygiene standards, and this knowledge gets passed along throughout the village, creating a hygiene and self-sufficiency culture. By this investment in local people, the estate provides avenues to development, not just in tea but also in personal and future development.

Tea Production at Five Trees Estate

The process of making tea at Five Trees Estate is a fine blend of art and science. Though traditional methods of tea-making are given due respect, Phyu's team is more scientific in its approach towards making the ideal tea. The process is thus made consistent, and quality is ensured in every harvest.

It has a shared history with AMBA Estate in that its production roots were perfected by none other than Beverly-Claire Wainwright of The Scottish Tea Factory. It is only through her expertise and the efforts of Mogok's villagers that their truly special teas were created.

The estate is said to trade in a range of teas, including black tea, green tea, and white tea, each of which is trained to be well-grown and processed in order to retain its finest characteristics. The key difference in Five Trees Estate's production lies in the personalised approach adopted in every batch. In contrast to most of the country's traditional tea plantations, which use the same process irrespective of weather, Five Trees Estate uses spreadsheets and indicators to track each crop's flavour profile and adjust processing techniques according to climate and harvesting conditions.

This journey begins with hand-plucking, and the leaves are chosen only at the best. The leaves undergo withering, followed by gentle oxidation (for black tea) or steaming (for green tea), and drying in turn to lock the flavour. This is a loving labour that returns a tea rich in flavour depth but still brings the traditional charm of Mogok terroir.

Five Trees Estate's Impact

At Five Trees Estate, the impact is not just in the form of high-quality production of tea. The owner, Phyu Thwé, has focused on developing sustainable livelihoods for the Mogok people. Through providing jobs, particularly in tea production, she aims to make her village's future better than through mere donations to create long-term empowerment. The estate employs relatives and others from the locality, thus imparting skills developed in tea manufacturing, such as hygiene practices, to the villagers, and consequently enhancing the lifestyles of all involved individuals.

Five Trees Estate's natural practices revolve around balance with nature, using environmentally friendly tea production methods that preserve the surroundings of the local area. The estate's operations aim to present an environmentally friendly alternative to the ecologically destructive gemstone mining operations that have been ravaging the region, taking a more sustainable and balanced approach in utilising land.

Through creating a sustainable and responsible tea business, Five Trees Estate is not only improving the lives of its employees but contributing towards the greater good of social and environmental stewardship in Myanmar.

Five Trees Estate's Future & Where We Come In

The Five Trees Estate has just begun its journey. While the estate has already achieved a premium series of teas that are indicative of what Myanmar tea can deliver, Phyu Thwé is bent on further improving production processes and enhancing the estate's visibility. The future holds greater international acknowledgment for Myanmar teas, particularly as Five Trees innovates and expands.

In the coming years, Five Trees Estate will be growing its business, increasing its production capacity, and creating new specialty teas that will compete in the global market. Phyu's dream is to show that the tea of Myanmar can compare with the best in the world, offering a unique product that tells the tale of Myanmar's rich cultural and natural heritage.

We feel privileged at Cha Dodo to have the opportunity to support Five Trees Estate and tell their story to tea lovers everywhere. From our partnership, we help bring their exceptional teas to the globe, spreading awareness of their mission of sustainability, community building, and quality production. Not only are you drinking a great cup of tea by choosing to drink Five Trees Estate teas, but you are also supporting a sustainable future and the livelihoods of those who work to redevelop their community.

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