The final tasting notes are in and published below. Once again, as we have seen in all our previous tastings, the variety of personal experiences with these teas is as varied as the teas themselves. It always leaves us in awe of the human experience when we witness first hand … Continue reading
A friend presented meWith tender leaves of Oolong tea,For which I chose a kettleOf ivory-mounted gold,A mixing-bowl of snow-white earth.With its clear bright froth and fragrance,It was like the nectar of Immortals.The first bowl washed the cobwebs from my mind – The whole world seemed to sparkle.A second cleansed my … Continue reading
Our apologies to all, but we made an editorial decision and felt we shouldn’t bump the Friday post 2 weeks in a row. As a result, the final tasting notes will be absolutely, definitely, most assuredly and without a doubt published on Monday. The silver lining here is that if … Continue reading
After receiving advice last June – and then again in November – to purchase a small traveling tea set to take to speech tournaments and other tea-free events, I finally broke down and purchased a tea set. It contains the gaiwan, the pouring pitcher, six tiny cups, and a handy … Continue reading
As we find ourselves in the throes of the holiday season, it’s easy also to find ourselves rushed and stressed out. I was at the post office this week and had to wait 30 minutes on line for my turn. Everyone was grumbling, frustrated and angry. I don’t think this … Continue reading
Occasionally there were “fiery discharges,” about as dangerous as ritual Chinese firecrackers. Once an opium ship had finished her business at Lintin Island and set sail on the return voyage, mandarin junks would sometimes set out in hot pursuit. Your more mischievous “country firm” captain would slow down at once, … Continue reading