A Beauty-Loving Tea Sommelier on Rituals, Blends, and the Perfect Brew

For Liliana Lopez Aslanoba, tea is more than just a drink—it’s a lifestyle. As a passionate tea sommelier and co-founder of Melez Tea, she’s reinventing this timeless Turkish tradition as a cornerstone of modern wellness. With an unshakable belief in tea’s power to spark mindfulness, she crafts unique blends that turn every cup into an extraordinary experience.

What inspired you to launch Melez Tea?

Discovering the world of tea felt like finding a hidden gem. Tea is as vast and fascinating as wine, yet it remains largely underappreciated. I felt compelled to share its story—the art of tea-making, from the terroir to the delicate process of blending and the rituals that surround it.

How would you describe Melez Tea in three words?

Artisanal, inspiring, and thoughtful.

Melez Tea offers well-thought-out blends with some unexpected ingredients. What’s your process for creating these unique combinations?

Creating our blends is much like how a chef crafts a new dish or a perfumer designs a fragrance. I strive to tell stories or evoke emotions through our teas. Sometimes, it’s about capturing a moment or a memory. For example, Happy is inspired by summer days from my childhood at our lake house—a vivid memory of eating strawberries at sunset with the scent of fresh-cut grass and mint in the air. Other times, it’s a single ingredient that sparks the process. For a blend we created for Chef Fatih Tutak, I was inspired by the delicate taste of a kaffir lime leaf grown in Antalya. The challenge was finding the perfect combination of ingredients to celebrate this ingredient, which resulted in a blend of oolong with mango and kaffir lime.

 

What’s the best way to brew tea?

Each tea is unique, so brewing it to perfection is key. For example, green tea brewed with boiling water can taste bitter, masking the subtle flavors of high-quality leaves. Likewise, over-steeping white tea can overwhelm its delicate honey and hay notes.

How does tea contribute to our overall wellbeing?

Tea is more than just a tasty drink—it’s a moment of pause and self-care. Packed with antioxidants and nutrients, it can support everything from immunity to mental clarity. You’ll find a tea, herb, or spice to help with almost any ailment, whether it’s soothing a sore throat, relieving stress, or aiding sleep. At Melez, we believe tea goes beyond its functional properties—it’s about creating rituals that nurture mindfulness. Those 10–15 minutes are entirely your own, whether it’s part of your morning ritual, a break in your workday, or a calming evening tea. We often receive messages from customers sharing how our tea has become something they look forward to each day. This connection reinforces our passion and responsibility. We are truly committed to ensuring every cup is perfect for our customers.

 

What are your favorite tea spots around the world?

I love to shop for teas at Postcard Teas in London; they have a truly rare tea collection and are very knowledgeable. I like Ippodo and the Sakurai Tea Experience in Japan—I love how they take rituals to another level. I like Jugetsudo and Ogata in Paris; both are Japanese-inspired.

Do you have a favorite tea ritual?

My morning matcha ritual feels both energizing and grounding. The act of whisking it, knowing it’s a centuries-old practice, brings a sense of tradition and wisdom. Each sip replenishes my body, and I love drinking it straight from the bowl, fully immersing in the experience. I also enjoy my nighttime ritual—once the kids sleep, my husband, Emre, and I usually drink a cup of tea together to slow down and reconnect. We try to switch it up every night, but Emre is obsessed with Soothe Tea and mostly drinks it every day.

As a tea sommelier, what are your personal favorite blends?

This is always a tough question because I feel connected to every blend I’ve ever made, but it does change with the season or my mood. If I had to choose three blends that I’m loving right now, I would pick Happy because it really makes you smile just by smelling it; Yoga for its balance of grassy and zesty notes that make you feel good inside; and Sonata, which blends lavender, peach, and delicate white tea, always transporting me to a royal garden 200 years ago, surrounded by classical music.

What does beauty mean to you?

Beauty begins from within. When you feel good inside, it radiates outward.

What are your go-to skincare and makeup products?

My skincare routine has recently evolved. I used to enjoy testing new products and had a complex regimen, but after starting with a new skincare professional, I’ve simplified it to a mild cleanser, a day serum with sunblock, and a night serum with moisturizer. I absolutely love Anessa sunscreen. On weekends, I like to treat myself with a Tata Harper or a Lancer mask. For makeup, I like ILIA, especially for my eyes. I’m sensitive to regular eye makeup, but ILIA’s ingredients don’t irritate my eyes. I love most Charlotte Tilbury products, but I’m a fan of the Flawless Filter. I recently started using Rhode and really fell in love with their blushes.

We know that scents are a big part of your life. What are some fragrances and candles that have a special place in your routine and heart?

Frédéric Malle Musc Ravageur holds a special place in my heart. I met my husband 15 years ago, and one of the things we initially bonded over was that we were both wearing the same perfume. At the time, Frédéric Malle wasn’t widely known, and they only had a small shop in Paris. It felt like a shared secret between two scent-obsessed people. I don’t usually light candles unless I have guests; instead, I prefer using incense. I use Japanese incense with notes of hinoki, sandalwood, patchouli, or amber. For candles, I love Hotel Costes’ candle, it has a very sexy scent.

Which ingredient has been inspiring you lately?

I’m really loving a cactus fruit hair cream that I bought recently.

What’s your ultimate dream for Melez Tea?

My ultimate dream for Melez is to grow into a global wellness brand that inspires people to embrace tea rituals and mindfulness in their daily lives. It’s not just about tea—it’s about creating moments of self-care, connection, and inner peace.

Who are your favorite people and platforms to follow on social media?

Wonderflaw ☺ I’m not great at social media, but I would say my favorites, besides Wonderflaw, are Air Mail Weekly, Laila Gohar, Molly Baz, Andrew Weil, and Glucose Goddess.

What career path would you have chosen if you didn’t work with tea?

A nose—I’ve always dreamt of being a master perfumer.