My recent posting frequency hasn't been stellar as of late. Along with many of you, I'm weary. Of loss. Of grief. Of the long winter stretch ahead of me, with little to motivate. The holidays, such as they were, are behind. And ahead? Anything? Anything at all? Some nights it seems there is little incentive … Continue reading Saying Goodbye to 2020, with a Look at Tea from Vietnam
As we navigate new social norms, hoping to prevent infection spikes, and as economies look to recover, it's time to revisit the tea industry. There's both good and bad news, although for India, there's far more bad than good news, even now. Japan In Uji, Kyoto Prefecture, although the tea festival that kicks off the … Continue reading May Update: Coronavirus Impact on the Tea Industry
The night before last, the moon was an incredible yellow-orangy crescent, low-hanging on the horizon. Like you could reach up and pluck it out of the sky. Surreal harvest moons; crisp air; slanted sunrays that set the riotous trees afire; pungent earth . . . autumn in Michigan. Which makes me reach for a steaming cup of tea to … Continue reading Conundrum in Vietnam’s Tea Garden Redux
In my last blog, I encouraged supporting those businesses that engage in fair trade practices and so on. But again, it’s complicated. The Goal Recently, the Viêt Nam News ran an article that illustrates the conundrum of meeting the certification standards of Fairtrade International. As you may imagine, this global organization has extensive standards—for small-scale producers, … Continue reading A Conundrum in the Tea Garden, Vietnam’s, That Is
It's More Than Tea 