What Emoji Tell Us About the History of Tea
article on tea emoji and the history of tea for Smithsonian Magazine
Two Mistakes to Avoid When Steeping Green Tea
Watch a video that breaks down the how-to's of brewing green tea focusing on the two main factors you have to pay attention to: temperature and time
All Tea Comes from the Same Plant
All tea regardless of green or black tea (whatever the type) originates from the same tea plant: camellia sinensis. What makes a tea vs. an herbal leaf drink is whether or not the leaves came from the camellia sinensis plant.
Why Herbal “Tea” is not Tea!
Watch a video where I explain why herbal infusions, tisanes, and drinks are not actually technically tea.
What the Character 茶 Tells us About Tea
The radicals that comprise the character 茶(cha) tell the elegantly simple story of how tea is a natural plant that we can enjoy as tea thanks to the people who help us harvest it.
What is the difference of green and black tea?
The degree to which a tea leaf is oxidized, is the principal factor determining what category of tea the finished leaf will belong to.
Tea processing is the artful manipulation of heat and moisture to optimally control oxidation.
Tea’s Health Benefits
A scientific inquiry into why research has claimed health benefits. We go there with antioxidants, polyphenols, flavonoids and more.
It’s Time to Decolonize Tea
everything I’ve wanted to say and have been thinking for the last 10 years about regarding tea, its colonial history, and the legacy of that still today for Whetstone Magazine’s Online Journal.
Ancient Tea Trees in Xishuangbanna, Yunnan
View photos of ancient tea trees growing in Xishuangbanna, Yunnan in the region acknowledged as the indigenous root of the tea plant.
Tea and Caffeine
Tea and Caffeine is a big topic, but we start with debunking the top two myths surrounding the topic.
Cooling Down with Hot Tea
Watch a video where I make green tea and discuss the traditional Chinese medicine concept of heating and cooling foods and how hot tea can be a cooling drink.
Tea and a Health in Chinese Philosophy
Traditional Chinese philosophy defines health as balance and harmony. This is a discussion of how tea fits into that and can contribute to helping us achieve balance and harmony in our bodies.
Terroirs and Tea
Read to learn what terroir means in relationship to tea and why it matters.
What Makes Chinese Tea Special
The three factors that to me, make Chinese tea special and distinctive from other tea cultures.
Appreciating Single Origin Teas
Watch a video where I discuss single origin teas vs. scented and blended teas while brewing a cup of Phoenix Honey Orchid oolong tea in a gaiwan.
pH Balance in Water and How it Affects Tea Brewing
A mini scientific experiment to see how pH levels in water used to brew tea affect the final cup.
Geography of Tea Interview on KCRW
Listen to me discussing the differences of tea-growing regions and especially how they manifest in Chinese vs. Japanese styles of green tea production on KCRW’s Good Food radio show and podcast.
Chinese vs. Japanese green tea in Pictures
View a photo gallery to see the differences in Japanese and Chinese tea growing and production styles of green tea.
Natural Flavors of Unscented and Unblended Tea
Discover the taste of a tea’s natural flavors. I explain why this will give you a more exciting and more fun tea drinking experience.