Stepping into the lively atmosphere of 1Utama in Petaling Jaya, the air was buzzing with excitement and a shared sense of celebration. BOH, Malaysia’s largest and most beloved tea producer, is marking a significant milestone—its 95th Anniversary. As a tea enthusiast and lover of community events, I couldn’t resist joining in on the festivities themed “95 and Brewing for Tomorrow,” which will run until 21 July 2024 (Sunday).
A Legacy of Tea Excellence: BOH Tea’s Rich History
The story of BOH began in 1929 during the challenging times of the Great Depression. J.A. Russell, along with veteran planter A.B. Milne, founded Malaya’s first tea garden in the lush Cameron Highlands. This visionary move laid the foundation for a legacy of premium tea production. The name “BOH” itself, derived from “Bohea” hills in Fujian Province, is a nod to the rich heritage of tea cultivation.
Over the years, BOH has evolved under the leadership of visionaries like the late Datuk Tristan Russell. As part of the 95th celebrations, a limited edition canister, Tristan’s Reserve, was specially commissioned to pay tribute to him.
Today, BOH stands as one of the world’s few fully integrated tea companies, ensuring that each cup of tea, from bush to teacup, is crafted with utmost care and quality.
Celebrating with the Community at BOH’s 95th Anniversary
The event at 1Utama was a beautiful tribute to BOH’s journey and its commitment to the community. Caroline Russell, the granddaughter of J.A. Russell and current Executive Chairman of BOH, delivered an inspiring speech. She emphasized BOH’s dedication to nurturing sustainability and fostering connections within the community—aptly coined “sustainabiliTEA” and “communiTEA.”
One of the most heartwarming initiatives at the event was the BOH Wish Tree. Attendees were invited to write their wishes for a better tomorrow on cards, which BOH would then convert into a RM 20 donation per card to the Tropical Rainforest Conservation & Research Center (TRCRC). The goal is to collect 1,000 cards, translating to RM 20,000 for planting 500 new seedlings to enhance urban biodiversity.
Fun Activities and Memorable Moments at BOH’s 95th Anniversary Celebration
The celebration was packed with activities that were both fun and educational. I found myself engrossed in the various games and booths that highlighted BOH’s diverse range of teas, from black and green teas to innovative blends like the newly launched Imunitea—a hazelnut-flavored instant milk tea enriched with Wellmune® to boost the immune system.
BOH’s commitment to sustainability was evident in every aspect of the event. From using biodegradable materials to promoting responsible agricultural practices, it was clear that BOH is dedicated to preserving the environment while producing top-quality tea. Jason Foo, the CEO of BOH Plantations, spoke passionately about their initiatives, including the preservation of 45% of their land as forests and the use of solar energy to reduce carbon emissions.
Special Appearances and Performances by Local Artists
The event also featured appearances by BOH’s brand ambassadors. Fazura unveiled a new collection of Fazura Tudung, specially designed for the anniversary, while Azira Shafinaz is set to perform on 20 July 2024 (Saturday) at 2pm. These moments added a touch of glamour and excitement to the celebration, drawing in fans and tea lovers alike.
Join in the Celebration
I highly recommend stopping by 1Utama to experience the BOH 95th Anniversary celebrations. It’s a fantastic opportunity to learn about the rich history of BOH, enjoy some delicious tea, and participate in activities that promote sustainability and community well-being.
The BOH, Brewing for Tomorrow Roadshow
Date: 17-21 July 2024
Time: 10am – 10pm
Venue: 1Utama Shopping Centre (Centre Court in front of AEON)
As we look forward to the future, let’s raise a cup of BOH tea to the spirit of SustainabiliTEA, CommuniTEA and Wellness. Here’s to another 95 years of brewing excellence!
About BOH
This year, 2024, marks a meaningful milestone as BOH commemorates our 95th year.
While we celebrate our legacy as Malaysia’s trusted tea grower of Cameron Highlands built over the last nine decades, BOH is Brewing for Tomorrow. We are guided to be future thinking, mindful to nurture sustainabiliTEA and the connection with and between our communiTEA.
Sharing a humble cup of BOH together with the ones we love is a moment of bonding; a time to connect and share our journeys and experiences. We trust that BOH’s passionately crafted teas bring us on a sensorial journey of many different Ummph moments that connect us to ourselves, our friends and family, and the Earth.
With a focus to regenerate the environment in which we grow our teas, we continue on in our commitment to embed sustainability principles through every aspect of our operations across our agricultural practices, product packaging and community engagements.
Promoting wellness through teas of unique character and exceptional flavour will always be a key motivator as we expand our range of teas to enrich our consumer experience. We aspire that generations continue to bond and share life’s meaningful moments over a cup of passionately crafted and great tasting BOH tea; all with the underlying aim of enhancing their well-being.
We are one of the world’s few fully integrated tea companies which grows, processes, packs and markets its authentic, homegrown and fresh Malaysian teas from ‘tea bush to teacup’.
Grown on 1,000 hectares of rich agricultural land in Cameron Highlands, BOH’s three gardens, BOH, Fairlie and Sungei Palas, produce 2.8 million kilograms of tea annually. In totality, we serve 5.0 million cups of BOH tea daily.
BOH’s award-winning Tea Centre in Sungei Palas is renowned to local and international travellers for its unique ‘tea discovery’ experience and captivating panoramic views.
For more information, log on to bohtea.com, like BOH’s Facebook and follow BOH’s Instagram and BOH’s TikTok.
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