Local Person: Joanne Gao

by Hobart Magazine

When Joanne moved to Hobart from China, she brought her love for tea with her. And she’s passionate about sharing that love with the community through A Moment of Tea, her tea bar in Salamanca Arts Centre.

Where did you grow up and where do you live now? I was born in Yichang, China, a beautiful city that sits along the middle reaches of the Yangzi River. And also a tea-growing region for over a thousand years – the local Enshi Yulu green tea actually dates back to the Tang Dynasty. You could say I was literally born into tea country! After finishing school, I moved to Beijing for university, and now I call Hobart home.

How did your love for tea begin? Growing up, my mum always started her day with green tea, and every visit to friends began with putting the kettle on. Tea was everywhere, but I never actually drank it myself. After university, I worked in a cultural tourism company, travelling across China to understand local customs. That’s when I noticed how different each region’s tea was – completely unique stories and styles everywhere. Then came one afternoon in 2014 that changed everything. I tried five different green teas at a tasting event, and this incredible sweet aftertaste developed and lasted for two whole days! I’d never experienced anything like it. That’s when I knew I had to understand what had just happened. I found Ms. Xiao at the Lian Yu School in Beijing and dove deep into tea’s history, tea ceremony and cultural significance.

What is it you love about making tea? It’s the ritual of slowing down in a world that never stops. When I warm the teapot and watch the leaves unfurl in hot water, releasing their colours and aromas, something shifts inside me. The steam rises, carrying away the day’s tensions. It’s like pressing pause on life’s chaos. In Beijing’s relentless pace, those ten minutes at my tea table became sacred.

Tell us about A Moment of Tea. We focus on single-origin loose leaf teas, carefully cultivated, hand-picked, and crafted for quality that rewards multiple infusions. Most come from China and Japan, but we’ve discovered something special here in Tasmania. As we’ve settled into local life, I’ve found that many Tasmanian plants blend beautifully with our traditional teas. Our Tasmanian Lavender Puerh just won first place in the blended tea category at the 2025 Royal Tasmanian Fine Food Awards. We tested lavender from different farms with puerh from various regions until we found the perfect match.

Do you have different favourite teas for different moments? That’s a great question. Although all tea comes from camellia sinensis, different processing creates completely different benefits. In Traditional Chinese Medicine, each tea type has distinct properties, so I choose based on season, time of day, and how I’m feeling. This is actually really important – the wrong tea can work against you. Many women get stomach pain from green tea because it’s cooling and can be harsh on sensitive stomachs. Green tea works beautifully on summer mornings, but might not suit everyone year-round. A warming oolong or aged puerh might be better for winter afternoons. The best approach? Listen to your body. Notice how you feel after drinking different teas. And of course, come visit us in the shop. We love helping people find their perfect match!

What’s something about tea you wish more people knew? I think after a busy day, everyone deserves a moment to treat their senses like a little spa for your taste buds and body. That’s exactly what a good specialty tea can give you. When you find the right tea, the aroma alone starts unwinding your day, and each sip becomes this gentle reset. It’s such a simple luxury that can genuinely change how you end each day.

Favourite podcast or tv show? I’m secretly obsessed with MasterChef Australia.

Secret vice? Going to different op shops or vintage shops, maybe find some lovely vintage tea wares.

What are you reading now? Living Untethered by Michael A. Singer.

What was your first job? Itinerary designer creating cultural travel routes around China.

What are your daily news/social media habits? ABC News.

Your favourite place for…

Breakfast: Mount Nelson Signal Station Restaurant (editor’s note: it appears this has now closed).

Lunch: Imago Cafe & Bakery.

Dinner: The Source.

Dream holiday destination? Spain, because of Gaudi’s architecture.

Favourite Tasmanian secret? Hartz Mountain.

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Extras

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