Mona Jhunjhnuwala feels like a household name for many in the tea community, and for good reason. Her infectious enthusiasm and commitment to sharing her story and the culture of tea are felt through her tea business, Teawala. Most recently, she’d taken us with her on a recent trip to Thailand through Instagram Live sessions. […]
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 […]
The song of summer’s cicadas reverberates from the tree outside my window as I find my seat in the sunlit tea room. Adjacent trees cast shadows across the ceiling, lapping leaf patterns back and forth. On my table stands a white porcelain gaiwan. Traditionally, the gaiwan is called “San Cai Wan” (Chinese: 三才碗 , translated: […]
There are limitations to my knowledge and experience – and so I constantly seek to widen the lens through listening to stories, asking questions, and sitting in reflection. What do I seek? Why? And how can the opportunities for a closer connection to tea be made available aplenty for more individuals? From journeys taken a […]
If you were to think of a tea blogger, who would be the first to come to mind? How about tea author? Lastly, who would you turn to when it comes to pairing tea and scones? For myself, Lu Ann Pannunzio is one of the first individuals that come to mind, and she’s always around […]
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 […]
I remember the first time I discovered Gong Fu Cha and its style of brewing. I was astounded in giddy happiness and awe! Though I had been working within tea for five years prior, my exploration caused me to rethink the tea education I had learned. My role within the tea industry was training and […]
The pitter-patter of rain pelts the navy blue umbrella of a gentleman in a dapper suit as he thoughtfully hurries up the steps. He’s careful to not splash water from the rushing stream flowing down the street gutter. A seagull caws overhead seeking some semplance of shelter as it begrudgingly settles under the building awning […]
Today marks the first anniversary of this written space! It wouldn’t be what it is without you; the curious mind that has chosen to direct their attention to my evolving perception and relationship within the tea. The photo above is of my first gaiwan and has served a reminder that all storms pass and that […]
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