Tea Show Me What You're Made Of

Last time on Show Me What You're Made Of, the group fell apart...

I can't do it.

..in a onesie factory.

That's way too hot!

They struggled with the poverty they witnessed...

It's really upsetting, to be honest.

They're really hanging on.

..and only Ellie got paid.

Now, Alice, Ellie, Joe, Sam and Faith have travelled from

Cambodia to the island of Taiwan to start the next leg

of their Asian adventure.

-Oh, wow.

-Oh, it stinks.

It's just such a nice smell.

Can Sam put the brakes on a three-factory losing streak?

Don't step on it. Don't step on the leaves.

It's so much, like, strength to pull the bags open.

Will they all stay the course?

I'm just really tired and hot and sweaty.

And how well our teams cope with the high expectations of their

Taiwanese bosses?

I'm afraid he got fired.

Taiwan was one of the first Asian economies to flourish

as a global manufacturing powerhouse.

Now, the country enjoys some of the highest standards of living

and their workers are amongst the best paid within the region.

That doesn't, however, mean the bosses are any less demanding,

or the work is any less difficult.

We're on our way from the capital, Taipei, to the first factory

in the beautiful mountainous Nantou region of western Taiwan.

Alice, what do you make of Taiwan?

It's very fresh. Very green.

The subtropical climate in this part of Taiwan

makes it the perfect place for growing something that

we in the UK can't get enough of - tea.

In a year, the average Brit

will drink enough tea to fill two whole baths.

But, as our five are about to find out, there's a lot more that

goes into making the perfect brew

than flicking on the kettle and dunking in a tea bag.

I hate tea just as much as coffee.

You saw me around the coffee cup. I couldn't even sniff it.

Sam, you love tea?

Yeah, I do drink tea, yeah.

So you're excited?

Hopefully, Taiwan is going to be a change and I'm going to get

-promoted, yeah.

-Fresh country, fresh outlook.

Sam's going to smash it.

Some of the finest tea we import comes from the fields and factories

here, and that's where Sam and the rest of the group will be working

over the next two days.

Tea in Taiwan is serious business.

It's famous for its speciality oolong tea,

sold in some of the most exclusive shops on our high streets.

If Sam's to have a chance of promotion here,

these are the bosses he'll have to win over.

Peter Li is one of the country's top tea exporters.

And what he doesn't know about tea isn't worth knowing.

Alan and Justin are supervisors

and heirs to the 60-year-old family run business.

Hi, there.

-Hi.

-Welcome.

-How are you, Peter?

-I'm Stacey.

-Welcome.

You'll be learning how to make tea.

How to make oolong tea from Taiwan.

I'm very excited, personally, because I love tea.

Sam also drinks quite a lot of tea at home.

-Do you?

-Yeah, a lot. I drink any type of tea.

Iced tea, green tea...

We're going to make some good tea and it requires teamwork for you

to work with everybody else, every member of the team.

Top stuff. OK.

But before our five can get to work, there's a problem.

You feel ill?

Unfortunately, our Alice is not feeling very well this morning,

so we're going to send her back to the hotel, rest her up,

so she's on top form and raring to go tomorrow.

With Alice sitting this one out,

the remaining four get a quick tour of the tea factory.

After plucking, they bring all the green leaves over here.

Freshly picked tea is laid out in the sun for a couple of hours to

-lose some moisture.

-Come on, show some excitement.

-Yes!

-Right, that's the spirit.

It goes on forever.

-Whoa.

-That's a nice smell, actually.

Then it's brought in here and left to dry on bamboo plates for a

further eight hours to develop its flavour and release its aroma.

-Oh, it stinks.

-It's just such a nice smell. Yeah.

To make sure the tea ends up exactly the right colour,

it's next heated in these huge drums.

It's hot, but, well, the machine is not on,

so it's not as hot as it should be.

Oolong can sell for up to £200 a kilo,

which is almost ten times what our normal cuppa would cost.

So our four are going to have to treat the precious tea

with extreme care.

We just got our uniforms.

-This is it. We have a top, a hat.

-And some tea.

And we've got some tea.

-Right.

-Tea!

Kitted up and raring to go,

our team's first task is in the indoor drying area.

Now, these leaves behind you in the bag,

your job is to spread them on the floor evenly.

And then afterwards, put it on the plates evenly.

The leaves, they can't wait here for too long.

It's collecting heat, right now, in the bag.

So speed really is key here?

-Right.

-Off you go.

Right. Start over here.

Their challenge starts with emptying the bags of leaves.

They're heavy, so our four will be working in pairs.

-Joe's with Ellie...

-So the leaves are in there,

so we need to kind of roll it over.

And Faith is with Sam, who's hoping he can finally prove himself.

This might be my factory and I've might get promoted this time,

which I'm excited about.

-Help me drag.

-You good?

The bottom needs to be spread out, so you hold it up and I'll go.

Wait, let me just get it all out.

Don't waste any of the leaves.

Sam, Sam, Sam.

Get this side. You can't, you've got to do it in a certain way.

-No!

-Sam.

-I can hear quite a lot of shouting and, like,

bickering from that side of the room.

Back home in Liverpool, Sam's not short on swagger.

But so far on this trip, he's failed to shine.

That's way too hot!

Faith, on the other hand, has wowed boss after boss.

Faith, she produce ten bag. She produce ten bag.

But her team-mates have frustrated her.

This always goes on this way, OK? Never put the other side on.

And Sam has been given an ear-bashing more than anyone else.

-Sam, just get in the hole.

-I am in the hole.

Four factories in,

time's running out for Faith to improve her teamwork...

She has been, like, way too bossy.

If you're doing something wrong, I've got to correct you.

..and for Sam to show he can deliver.

You need to open all the bags.

Back at the tea factory, trouble is brewing for Sam.

You're wasting all the leaves!

And don't step on it, don't step on the leaves.

It's so much, like, strength to pull the bags open.

You've got to be fast, as well.

Sam's only on his second bag out of six and he's flagging.

I'm very tired and...

-You're very tired?

-Yeah.

-You think you're tired?

-Yeah.

Can you imagine people are doing it for whole hours?

You only did it for five minutes.

No-one's ever asked me to do hard graft.

This trip has basically just been a change.

It's just been like, "Whoa, people do this?"

I think we're figuring out how as we go along,

because we're getting faster on each one.

Once unloaded, the leaves need to be plated up and put on the racks

to dry as quickly as possible, so that they don't spoil.

Is this all right, Peter?

That's good. Faith, you're doing a good job.

Faith is thriving on Peter's praise.

But Sam is wilting.

I feel like I'm trying my best,

and I'm trying to get the right amount onto the bamboo plate,

so I'm quite hot, even though the room is air-conditioned.

And the hotter he gets, the more careless Sam becomes.

Don't step on the leaves!

Because these are for us to drink.

Sam, just be careful what you're standing on.

You're not my boss.

I'm just helping.

Faith has got a knack of impressing her bosses,

but she can't help herself when it comes to telling the others

what she thinks they should be doing.

He keeps stepping on the leaves and I was just saying careful where

you're stepping and he was like, "You're not the boss."

With tempers fraying, the boss is concerned about the precious tea.

These are piling up like a mountain.

Shake it out. No, don't...! There we are.

You shouldn't have done that.

With the tea in real danger, the factory supervisors step in.

-TRANSLATOR:

-What is happening? It's a complete mess.

The way it's going, it will all rot.

They're not making it evenly on the floor,

so we're going to have the professionals coming in.

So, guys, the professionals are going to have to come in because

you're not managing, OK?

-Can you step aside?

-So, guys, how do you feel?

I think it's quite embarrassing and upsetting.

The workers have minutes to plate up the tea,

but the worry is it's already ruined.

He's had a conversation with his supervisor and his supervisor says

that some of the raw materials have been damaged.

Because you didn't do it properly.

All the tea masters, they have come back and redo the work.

Probably equates to around 6,000 Taiwanese dollars

which is just under 150 British pounds.

He appreciates that you're kids and he appreciates that this is your

-first time.

-I have to give you some credit that you worked together,

-you're working hard.

-But can anyone expect a promotion now?

It's a very difficult decision cos I know you all put in your efforts.

I think I'm going to promote Faith.

She's been doing a good job.

So, Faith, well done.

Sometimes I think you do go too far with the others,

but I think you can pride yourself in how you cherish your work ethic.

I'm going to give you, Ellie and Joe, one more chance.

He doesn't want to promote you, but he doesn't want to demote you.

But Peter has made a tougher decision about Sam.

OK. Sam, I'm afraid you got fired.

Cos I don't see the spirit.

I don't see the heat, I don't see the inspiration there.

I thought I was trying my best.

What I don't want you to do is take this personally because it's never,

ever personal. It's solely business.

I feel I'm really gutted that I got fired.

Even if it was demotion, I'd still be really gutted,

but fired has just took it one step further.

Everyone's shocked, but despite their differences,

Faith isn't giving up on Sam.

As Sam's friend, I'm just going to try and get him out there and see if

I can get Peter to even just let him come back into the factory.

Later that evening, Faith decides to give Sam a pep talk

outside our hotel.

So how are you feeling about today?

I think it's kind of like not given me any hope from the first factory,

the second factory, the third factory.

I've been demoted, now I'm fired.

I'm like, what do I do?

We could just both talk to Peter and ask if you could have another

opportunity cos I know you have it within you,

it's just expressing your passion and you're quite capable.

I feel like he's not going to listen, he's not going to believe it

and he's...

I think it's just going to be a waste of time.

Just drop this whole boring reserved sound and just be you!

Like, honestly, you can do it. You're Sam the man!

You've got to, like, sweet talk him a bit.

Just show your interest, show your bubbliness, cos I know you have it.

I'm going to actually take your advice and go in tomorrow and say,

"Listen, I need this job and firing me was a mistake."

I can do it. It's just a matter of going in there and just be like,

-"Hey, I'm Sam."

-Sam the man!

-I'm Sam the man!

And I'm going to try to the best ability and I'm actually going to do

the job and deliver.

I think that's the attitude that you wanted me to have,

so now I'm in the mood and I'm ready.

You don't take no for an answer, OK?

You keep going, you keep...

You just lock him in that room if you have to.

-OK.

-Thank you.

-Good.

Whoo!

So Faith and Sam the man have a plan.

It's been an eventful, stressful day for our five.

There have been professional challenges, personal challenges,

emotional challenges.

But you know what? Tomorrow is a new day and let's see what it brings.

Day 2 in Taiwan.

This place is so beautiful.

It might be beautiful, but it's a place of work.

After resting up, Alice is well enough to re-join the group

and I'm taking her, Ellie and Joe to pick tea out in the fields.

-Hello, Justin.

-Hello, welcome to tea garden.

-How are you today?

-Yeah, fine, thank you. This is our tea garden.

What we need to do today is plucking job.

And we have to pluck one bud and three leaves.

So that sounds simple enough, and we say one bud, we mean this,

-presumably?

-Yes.

-One bud, three leaves.

Very easy. OK, good stuff.

Our lot are the youngest workers in the field today.

-It's not working.

-The average age of a tea picker in Taiwan is over 60.

You have to be resilient to do this job.

It's very, very hot and I'm sweating a lot.

Our three teams have an hour to show supervisor Justin that they can pick

the delicate tea leaves without damaging them.

Is this OK?

Yeah. It's all right.

Only the youngest leaves at the top of the plant are picked.

And they'll regrow in a few months to produce a new harvest.

I'm really enjoying this task.

The only thing is that the heat's a bit overwhelming.

Even though it's boiling, I've just got to carry on,

otherwise, I won't get the wage.

Let's hope that happens, Ellie.

Back at the factory, sacked Sam and his champion, Faith,

have asked for a meeting with the boss.

I'm here to tell Peter that

I have what it takes to be one of his workers and to prove him wrong.

He's going to be Sam the man today because if he doesn't,

he'll let me down and he doesn't want that.

Tough talk. But Peter is a no nonsense boss...

Morning. Hello.

..so I hope that Sam the man can do the business.

-So you want to see me?

-Yeah.

You might have had the wrong impression of me yesterday

and I do have love for tea. And I don't know what happened yesterday.

The problem I have with you, it's not a big problem,

it's just the enthusiasm.

I don't feel the enthusiasm there.

We had a chat last night, gave him a little prep talk,

motivated him and I feel like Sam should be given a second chance.

Faith's helped me out a lot because now I understand that I need to show

fire and show a big spark and be enthusiastic with work,

so I feel like I'm ready to go and the energy is just rushing inside of

me, ready to just work as hard as possible.

There's a character called Sam the man and he's one that's bubbly and

willing to work and excited,

so that's the side that you didn't see yesterday.

Now I'm ready to bring it on, if you'll let me.

I'm hoping this is not just lip service.

You've got to put your act together if I put you back to work.

If he mucks up, I'll be there like a tonne of bricks on him.

Don't you worry, Peter.

I'm going to give you your work back, but it's serious work.

-Are you ready for this?

-Yeah, I'm ready for it.

Sam the man.

-Superman.

-Yeah, Sam the Superman.

That sounds a lot better than Sam the man because it's super.

Well, I'm glad to see that you come in with Sam

and put in good words for him.

This is a great opportunity to show that I do care about my friends

and I do like to help them a lot.

People get the wrong impression of me as in, she's so bossy,

she doesn't like to work with anyone, things like that.

I think sometimes when I call you bossy and other people call you

bossy, it's because the tone of voice that you say it in.

Or maybe if that tone of voice was a bit lower and, like, nicer,

then we wouldn't call you bossy. Then you'd see it as helping out.

Now you've given me some advice to change my tone of voice

when I'm talking to someone, I can take that on board.

That's a turn up for the books. Good on you both.

Out in the field, there doesn't seem to be a lot of progress.

Just really tired and hot and sweaty.

-And it's really boring.

-Ellie, Joe and Alice are three quarters of

the way through their tea picking task and the heat is building.

I know it's simple, but it's hard in this really hot weather.

They look a little bit miserable. I think it's just the heat.

And they're not just miserable, they're slow.

I can't remember what row I've picked.

The regular workers can fill up to eight baskets a day,

despite being out in the 35 degree heat for ten hours at a time.

Alice, how much have you got?

That much.

I think that's quite a lot, actually.

-Not that bad.

-Let's have a look.

OK, go away.

I'm joking. Love you, really.

None of our three have come close to

the amount picked by the workers who are 40 years older than them.

I can't imagine what these workers must feel like day in, day out.

OK, time is up.

Stop your work.

Pop your baskets just over here for me.

Hat fell off.

As Justin tops up the tea, it's not looking good.

On the other side of the plantation,

Sam the Superman and BFF Faith are back on the job.

Peter has asked supervisor, Alan,

to keep a watchful eye on their work and attitude.

-We've got this.

-Let's do it.

-OK.

Faith's challenge is to help motivate Sam

without losing her patience.

I feel like this is a chance for me to get good at teamwork.

That's the thing, cos I'm bad at teamwork.

Sam's challenge is just to do a good job.

So slimy.

-I know.

-Stop!

But while Faith clears under the tea plants, Sam strays off track.

I'm weeding a drain because I want to try and get every single weed out

of the floor, so it's all clean and smooth.

No weeds are anywhere.

And why did Alan say it was important to weed?

Erm... Did he?

Because he wants all the nutrients to go to the tea leaves instead of

being absorbed by the weeds that we don't need.

You know that, Sam, don't you?

Now I do. I know that now.

This is the best I've seen these two work together so far,

and Faith soon gets another opportunity

to show she can be super supportive.

This hat is annoying me.

Do you think it's stopping you from doing your job well?

Yeah. It's blowing off my head.

Like that!

And yours!

Hat sorted, Sam gets down to some serious weeding.

I think Sam's really doing a good job cos not only is he fast,

he's making sure he's taking roots out, as well, so it doesn't regrow.

Yeah, Sam's doing a great job.

And supervisor, Alan, is blown away by both our teams.

And when Faith hits a stumbling block...

..Sam automatically steps in.

-Faith, do you want me to help you?

-Yeah.

OK. I'll help you get rid of the spiders.

-Just grab hold of it.

-Urgh!

-I've got rid of them all now.

-Thanks, Sam.

It's OK.

That's what teamwork's all about, to be honest.

Sam's heroics couldn't have come at a better time

-as big boss, Peter, arrives.

-Sam, I think you've changed.

It's a different person, it's not the one yesterday.

You're Sam the man.

-Superman!

-Sam the Superman, yeah.

You've got it, I know you've got it.

So I'm glad that Faith come out here to help you.

She doesn't have to be here. She came out for you, which is good.

I know. Thank you, Faith.

But she also learned something from you.

Good, so we're going to put you back to factory, back to work.

-Thank you.

-Thanks.

-You happy with that?

-Yep.

Fresh from his success in the field,

Sam re-joins the others in the factory for their final task.

Sam the man, I hear you've got a new title.

The job is to unload freshly picked leaves

and spread them evenly to dry.

They need to be quick and super careful.

Don't step on the green leaves.

Let's get going, let's do some work.

This will be Sam's last chance to earn his first wage.

And he's teaming up again with Faith.

-That way.

-Yeah.

We worked well with each other when we were doing the weeds,

pulling weeds up, so we think that we're a good team together.

-Good method.

-Teamwork!

Let's see if the other three can find their spark after this morning.

I don't see energy here.

Doesn't look like it, Peter.

Maybe we should flatten it out a bit?

Right, you open this up and I'll flatten.

-OK.

-So, Peter, how do you think Faith and Sam are getting on?

I think they're doing terrific today. This is a very good team.

-They're kind of slow.

-Three, two, one, lift.

-I think you're a good team.

-Thank you.

So it looks like things could be on the way up for Faith and Sam.

So far, so good.

We have to start spreading now.

Shake it evenly. Yeah.

And I think Faith is really trying not to sound bossy.

It's making sure, when I am communicating with everyone,

I'm doing it in the right voice and considering their feelings.

-Wow!

-Yeah. A bit of soul-searching.

Wow, sounds it.

Have we turned a new leaf with you, Faith?

-A new tea leaf!

-I think we should push it out, to be honest with you.

And with his new enthusiasm for the job,

Sam's even offering advice to others.

It might be easier just if we go from here.

-Yeah.

-Good work, Sam.

Sam the man!

Sam has definitely got passion behind what he's doing,

so it's really, really good.

-It's the man.

-It's the man.

It's the new title, I think.

The Superman!

But there's a dark cloud looming... literally.

We need to wrap up this fast, the rain is coming,

-some big storm.

-The leaves need to be protected from the rain

and it's Superman Sam to the rescue.

Do you want me to pop on the covers?

-Of course.

-OK!

OK, guys, come over here for me.

MUSIC: Theme from Superman by John Williams

Sam has saved the day.

Look at you, showing initiative, going above and beyond.

Sam the man. My kind of guy.

With the roof on, Peter checks the teams' work and as the heavens open,

they make a dash for the boardroom, without Alice,

who's feeling poorly again.

Obviously Alice isn't able to join us, so we've sent her

back to the hotel and we wish her a speedy recovery.

How do you feel they have done as a group?

Sometimes a little bit down, not always up in the spirits,

but overall, very good.

So, if we could go through each individual, how has Joe done?

I think he's very mature. But when it comes to work,

sometimes he put in full effort but other times, not.

How do you think Ellie has done?

Ellie has her ups and downs but overall, another very good worker.

Sam! What a journey you've had.

The comeback kid.

I've seen the real Sam, the Superman.

Sam the Superman!

Talk to me, Sam.

I've learned that I can do it and I've not been trying,

so, today has just been a big lesson to me in life.

I'm so pleased that you have finally shown us

what you're capable of.

And finally, last but not least, Faith.

She's a born leader.

Sometimes maybe a bit too bossy, from what I've heard.

I feel that I've been able to fix my attitude.

Sam's always had this kind, caring tone about him, and his patience.

I feel that today I've been able to pick that up from him.

He's been able to pick up the passion and it's worked both ways.

If you were in a position where you were able to genuinely offered these

guys a job, who would you hire?

Maybe I'll pick Faith, and maybe Sam, as well.

So, you guys, given that you've done the best,

have the potential to earn 30 quid each.

However, everyone will be going home empty-handed because yesterday,

we genuinely ruined £150 worth of raw material.

And so I'm having to use this money to pay for your mistakes.

I know it seems harsh and I know you're going to be

really disappointed, but this is the reality. So, Peter, that's for you.

You're never going to get paid, Sam!

I know! I was so close!

You must have thought you had this in the bag, right?

-Yeah.

-So it's a bitter pill to swallow, but this is the real world.

Yeah.

Next time on Show Me What You're Made Of...

Smells a bit too fishy in here.

..they head to a fish canning factory.

-It's disgusting!

-Can they overcome their fears

and earn a wage from their toughest boss yet?

You guys are way too slow!