In the land of the thunderbolt, one feels as though they can touch the sky. Damp and heavy, the humidity is constant while fog moves in. Lightning streaks across the sky, and in minutes the heavens open, and showers act as a commencement for the change of seasons. Soon the sun shines brightly and you […]
When it comes to white tea, I’m always ready for a cup. With its processing largely transparent and the classifications based on picking, there’s an ebb and flow to discerning quality that’s exciting. The careful balance the producer must traverse to effectively manage humidity and temperature during drying provides ample information when tasting the finished […]
This month we strove to come together as a community with a sense of balance and a feeling of grounded vulnerability. With very honest discussions and openness, the session for myself was extremely reaffirming as many of the tea enthusiasts and professionals within have now known each other for nearly a year. Just like last […]
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 […]
