The third STEAP’D With Friends Tasting Session and first for 2020 has us drinking raw pu’erh! Sheng pu’erh is always an enjoyable tea for me, though I must be careful to not drink it on an empty stomach! For those new and unfamiliar, these sessions are a chance for many gong fu cha lovers to […]
While my work mainly keeps me in the great city of Chicago, I occasionally find myself on business trips throughout the country for a week or two at a time. As I strive to maintain a consistent gong fu brewing practice, I’ve found it necessary to keep tea’s solace with me from state to state. […]
As the year wraps up I cannot help but extend gratitude to everyone that I’ve had the pleasure of meeting, sharing tea with, and engaging in discussion within this community. I’ve learned so much not only about tea, but also in regards to myself within the world of the leaf. Whether it’s a profound tea-drunk […]
During this year’s first Chicago International Tea Festival, I had the pleasure of meeting Ned and Catherine of Silk Road Teas. Sharing conversation and their excitement for the quality of leaves they were sampling was a treat in itself, as I had been able to spend ample time on the quieter day 1 of 3 […]
When I dove into my Foundations: A Look into Longjing, I had no idea it would come across the eyes of Zhao Lu, Co-founder of TEA.L. Founded on the principle of togetherness, he and his partner have used the values rooted in respect and reverence toward individuality and the celebration of both people and tea […]
Ask anyone familiar with Mei Leaf’s portfolio of curated teas and you’ll find Jade Star holds a signature place in the minds of many. The series features aged white tea cakes and Jade Star IV is a blend of Mu Dan and Shou Mei material from 2010; boasting powerful psychoactive properties to the individual(s) drinking. […]
I appreciate the strength Japanese tea provides in my tea journey, and seek the bold, balanced flavors sought through fertile cultivation and precision in processing techniques. When Senbird Tea, a Japanese family-owned tea business who utilizes independent tea farmers reached out to offer a balanced selection of teas to try, I felt the calling to […]
Early in my tea drinking journey I wondered, “how can someone describe tea so well?” I’d heard wine experts discussing the minute differences in profiles and mouthfeel, and I sought out ways in which to expand both my vocabulary and knowledge of tea. I’m always thinking of 1,000 ways to explain or approach a particular […]
There’s excitement in the changing of seasons, and right now I look forward to Autumn’s arrival in the midwest. Brisk mornings compliment warm rich sunlight and leaves gracefully end their lush emerald display in an encore of vibrant yellows and cherry reds. My tastes in tea align to match the elements and experiences of another […]
Longjing tea is a staple when it comes to Chinese green teas. Known for its nuttier profile and smooth taste, it presents a different side of the flavor spectrum when compared to Japanese green teas like Sencha or Gyokuro. Panned-roasted by hand and lighter in color with yellows and sun-lit greens, it’s visually recognized by […]
