There's a seasonality to the teas we drink—perhaps most pronounced for those of us who annually enjoy four distinct seasons. Whereas a full-bodied, steaming hot tea comforts during winter's cold, we often reach for light and sunny brews on the first precious warm days of spring. Citrus teas fulfill that need nicely, reminding us of … Continue reading Reasons for Citrus in Tea
I have a terrible habit of saving tea for the "right" time. A time when I can fully engage, when life is less hectic. You'd certainly think that a year of mostly working from home would provide such a time, but no, I still didn't brew any of the "special" tea. So today, realizing that … Continue reading Jasmine Tea from Cambodia
"Decaffeinated" with "tea" is an ill-suited pair in my mind. Because no, I can't live without caffeine (my family will attest to this). Still, there are several flavored decaf black teas that I've found quite acceptable. But what about classic teas, those teas without flavor additives? Can those withstand the decaffeination process? Decaf tea itself is … Continue reading How Does Decaf Tea Compare to the Real Thing?
Despite the fact that summer stretches a full three weeks into the month, September has long signified the start of autumn, the school year, harvest time, warmer clothing. It’s the end of vacations and the beginning of study. It’s also the perfect time to think about bolstering our health, what with both coronavirus and this … Continue reading Find Your Balance with Ayurvedic Herbal Teas
You've heard of ice wine, right? That super concentrated dessert wine made from ripe grapes that were allowed to freeze while still on the vines and then quickly handpicked during the night so that they never thawed? Because the water within each grape freezes but the sugars don't, the grape dehydrates and you end up … Continue reading Frozen Black Tea—A Rarity Produced from Frostbitten Tea Leaves
The snowfall record was smashed in Ann Arbor. This past Monday. Forty days before winter officially begins. Before some of us had raked the leaves. Or cleaned the gutters, cleared the garden, taken in yard furniture, even removed the jack o'lanterns. This unprecedented 11 inches of snow in early November yet again demonstrates current climate unpredictability. … Continue reading Tea’s Low Carbon Footprint—Until You Heat the Water
I began our family road trip as any tea-lover would do: with a travel mug of a favorite tea that I made before we left. Farther along on the trip, however, I found a dearth of tea options. But no worries, right? After all, we were in wine country! Where—when sampling wines at Dr. Konstantin … Continue reading Wine and Tea: Commonalities Beyond Terroir
When you read a headline like this: Meghan Markle and Kate's tea costs two thousands times more than the average cup* you kinda think these UK royals are drinking some really incredible tea! Exquisite, rare, containing gold specks (yeah, that exists). But, no. The Tea and Its Cost They are drinking teabag tea, with Meghan … Continue reading The Royals: Do They Really Drink Expensive Tea?
Magnificent temple complexes, some nearly engulfed by huge trees, captivate. This is Cambodia, once part of the China-India-Southeast Asia trade route. It is also home to a Cambodian subspecies of tea, Camellia assamica subspecies lasiocalyx, although an article published in 2016 maintains it is more accurately a variety and not a subspecies. Either way, lasiocalyx grows as … Continue reading Cambodia’s Lotus Tea
Imagine tasting hundreds to a thousand teas a day! Find out what it means to be a tea sommelier in this Food Bloggers Association interview with Lisa McDonald, owner of TeaHaus and Eat More Tea in Ann Arbor. Also learn about teabag vs loose leaf tea, all the many uses of tea, and what makes … Continue reading Meet Lisa, Tea Sommelier and Owner of TeaHaus and Eat More Tea
It's More Than Tea 