This past week I tasted five Darjeeling oolong teas from five different producers. Three of these teas are the main subjects of our online tasting activity at hand. Suffice to say that I am impressed by the unique taste and individuality of each tea, considering that all of them sprang from the same region.
Thank you [...]
We are neither of the West nor of the East. We belong to that number of nations which does not seem to make up an integral part of the human race, but which exists only to teach the world some great lesson.
-Piotr Chaadaev, early nineteenth century Russian philosopher
About the time that first tea order from [...]
What about all these other ”˜teas?' Confusion about what is a true tea comes from the indiscriminate use of the word ”˜tea.' It seems that any beverage made from hot water and a plant ends up with the appellation ”˜tea.' People say they like mint tea, rooibos tea, yerba mate tea, and [...]
mindful and focused
all your five senses aroused
graceful as a cat
New day dawns misty
Tea leaves await their harvest
Fuji-san watches
This haiku captures the essence of a morning last May in the midst of the Shincha harvest. We awoke at dawn to catch a glimpse of Mt. Fuji from the middle of a small tea field next to the hostel.
Don Norman, one of design’s most influential theorists, used three teapots to represent the distinction between visceral, behavioral, and reflective design. There’s something inspiring about an object designed for such a specific, simple purpose. Any vessel that pours in a tight stream, insulates the user’s hand from heat, and filters leaves qualifies as a [...]
The Utne Reader’s January / February 2007 issue is practically dedicated to tea. It’s feature article, Steeped in Tea, explores the social significance of tea, its historical implications, and the ways that entrepreneurs and marketers are capitalizing on the tea renaissance. Our very own James Norwood Pratt is quoted in this in-depth, illuminating piece [...]
In the light of more recent history, it seems strange that tea drinking encountered no official intolerance in Europe-no rabid prohibitionists, no self-perpetuating anti-drug agency. You can, however, trace the spread of tea from Holland by the proliferation of medical Viewers with Alarm. Even before regular imports began, the first of these had warned in [...]
What is tea?
Camellia Sinensis
Tea is consumed world-wide on every continent and in almost every country. While the method and style of tea service varies from Russia to Japan, Senegal to Sri Lanka and beyond, the common element is the tea plant, Camellia sinensis. All tea varieties come from this evergreen shrub.
What It Looks [...]
We have received the samples of tea from India and will be sending them out to the participants of the tea tasting session. Those interested in participating in future tastings,which will be held each month, please place your name below by adding it in the comment section. We will follow-up by email to get [...]
