What Lunar New Year Means to Me

Growing up in a Vietnamese household, the phrase Chúc mừng năm mới was something I learned early on. It is the Vietnamese New Year’s greeting. Once January 1st passed, my family was getting ready for Tết. Sometimes it was right after, and other times it was a little later. I didn’t think much about the traditions back then. What I remember most was the special foods and the shiny red envelopes I’d only see once a year. You knew it was a celebration when you see bánh chưng, a big green square wrapped with banana leaves that was almost brick-like. On the inside it was a savory rice with mung beans. A special altar laid out with photos of our ancestors with an abundant spread of food and strongly brewed jasmine tea.

As a kid, of course the anticipation of receiving the shiny red envelopes were always the best part. It felt like getting a lottery ticket that you know you’d win something. But they didn’t come easily. I had to say Chúc mừng năm mới and bow properly or it would’ve been rude not to receive one. I was so shy but I made sure I had it down.

For almost a decade before starting PARU, I worked at companies where Lunar New Year was never mentioned. That always felt strange to me. In Vietnamese culture, it’s the biggest celebration of the year. It’s about time with family and rest.

That’s why it means so much for PARU to come out of the busy holiday season and move straight into celebrating the Lunar New Year. It feels like a continuation. A way to share the excitement I felt growing up and to make space for new memories as an adult, especially for those who may not have experienced these traditions before.

Every year, I feel really grateful to work with one of the most talented illustrator and kind hearted human I know, Vietnamese American artist Anie Quynh. This is our sixth year collaborating with each other and it gets even more joyful each time. We’re working on another project together, and I can’t wait to share more about that soon!

Now on to the inspo behind this years tea blend: Horse Shou, the Year of the Horse. This was especially so fun to work on. We started with the idea of a wild horse paving its own path, but what stayed with me was the horse’s strength in knowing when to rest before a long journey. That image of rest and campfires is personal. Some of my quietest and best moments in the past year have been outside with Sylvester, my stoic Pomeranian, lighting a fire and drinking a tea bold enough to hold up to the warm, smoky air.

Horse Shou came from that feeling. I’d been playing with idea of this blend for a while, inspired by my love for our Misty Shou. I always joked that it already sounded like a horse’s name and we never had a tea blend with a bit of pu’er before. It’s grounding and restful. I combined it with chicory root, nettle leaf, green rooibos. It’s the kind of tea I’d bring camping. Sturdy, warming, comforting. Almost like a light roast coffee.

Anyway, thank you for making in this far and for reading my stories. It’s always fun to reminisce. I hope you enjoy these traditions and spend time with the new collection. In moments like these, keeping culture and traditions alive feels more important than ever. I’m really proud that we get to keep making and sharing them. Thank you always for the support and curiousi-tea.

With gratitude,

Amy

P.S: Check on the full PARU Lunar New Year Collection here. :)

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