 Tea is more than a simple gesture of pouring hot water over leaves. Tea represents a deep cultural heritage, dating back over 5,000 years to the Chinese Shang dynasty. Tea fuels economies. And it has the capacity to eradicate poverty in some of the poorest parts of the world. Today, this billion-dollar industry is underpinned by smallholder farmers who produce 60% of tea worldwide. To farmers and their families, tea is livelihood, a way of life that empowers people and communities. Yet as the tea sector evolves, it faces diverse challenges, such as climate change and the need for sustainable growth. The rapid spread of the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted the tea industry. National lockdowns have affected the supply chain. But restrictions on movement also spurred a surge in home tea consumption. To support the tea sector, we need to embrace new and innovative approaches and share knowledge and experiences that support our smallholder farmers and help them to improve their livelihoods.