Category: Tea Culture & Experience
Detecting complex aromas can be difficult when we first get into tea. I know this issue was something I struggled with and it is probably one of the things that I get asked about the most. So first things first, you are not alone! Although some people might be naturally better at tasting food and drinks […] [Read more]
Gongfu (sometimes also called kung fu) simply means preparing tea with great skill. It’s often referred to as the Chinese tea ceremony but that’s not quite correct. Although the process can feel very ceremonial the truth is that there is no such thing as a Chinese tea ceremony. Gongfu is not codified in the rigid […] [Read more]
My first yixing, dedicated to Dancong There comes a time in every tea lover’s life when they are faced with a dilemma. How do you season an yixing teapot? There are several different ways to do it and it’s hard to know which one is right for you and your teaware. Good quality yixing teapots […] [Read more]
I think that every tea drinker has the same problem. What is the best way to store all of the tea that we accumulate? The main enemies of tea leaves are heat, light, and moisture. There’s a handful of exceptions to that rule but this applies to most categories of tea. I find that a […] [Read more]
Making tea without the help of tea bags can seem daunting at first but it’s super easy. There are a lot of different accouterments out there but the truth is that you don’t need much equipment at all. At its most basic level, the requirements for making tea are: – Brewing vessel – Hot water […] [Read more]
The ability to discern what you’re tasting is a learned ability. Although some individuals may have been born “supertasters” the majority of us have to take the time to improve our taste buds. In China, professional tea tasters are a highly paid profession. They can earn a good amount of commission just by drinking tea every day. And behind all this is their tireless study and hard work. If you think you are talented, I think you can soon be just like them. [Read more]