In the overcast skies of December, I warmly sit inside at the tea table to review the year 2022. As done in previous years, I love allowing my mind to wander through the forest of teas and greeting each as if an old friend. The teas shared below are in no way ranked, and though there […]
You can taste a broad spectrum of flavors when talking about Indian teas. Recently, we poured a collection of teas from India for the community here in Chicago. The purpose – share how unique and special the region is in tea cultivation and production methods. Ketlee is one of my go-to sources; I knew they […]
Spring is in full bloom which means it’s time to taste new matcha! The deep green hues are in many ways reflective of the blooming life around us and it is with excitement I share matcha from a new vendor! The folks at Bonsai Cha asked if I would share my thoughts on their Hoku […]
Winter’s frost gets my mind busy at work as I sift through a year in reflection of the teas I’ve tasted and the ones that stand out. Just like 2019 and 2020, it’s time to share the 10 memorable teas in 2021! The teas shared below are in no way ranked and though there are […]
Looking at my phone, I saw a message from Annie Xiang, complete with an introduction or her experiences and passion for tea. She was pivoting from a career in tax accounting to the wilderness of tea leaves as we met over many infusions of tea at a local tea house. From that first conversation, I […]
Gifted by the kind team at Tezumi, this 300mL Chawan has been a pleasure to use in my matcha preparation rotation. The hakame brush stroke presents an added level of artistry to the experience of whisking any matcha, and the beige color allows the green vibrancy to really pop! About TezumiConsisting of three tea-enthusiasts, David, […]
It’s difficult to believe that another year is coming to a close. I remember last December I sat with a kyusu of hojicha, recalling fond memories of numerous teas while looking forward to a new year. 2020 has been a different year for us all, and the times I searched for a tea to fit […]
Dancing green brilliance and a deeply hidden display of potent aromatics await all who dive into this single-cultivar matcha from Kettl Tea. I’ve had a great deal of time away from preparing matcha, so tasting this brings a renewed clarity to the palate as I savor each of three sips this rich tea has to […]
The streets of Kyoto not only fill the air with the humming din of vehicles passing by but also the pleasant aromas of freshly roasted green tea. Nearly a year ago I reflected upon the Hojicha Hanamitsu and found autumnal comfort from its rich, smoky, depth of flavor, and vanilla smoothness. This time is different. […]
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