Steep It Loose

This year’s inspiring field of contenders for Best Picture at the 83rd Academy Awards inspired me to do an Oscar-themed dinner Sunday night, to celebrate the event with our most movie-passionate friends. Each element of every course had a connection to one of the nominated films. It was a fun and laughter-filled evening, and I’m…

The history of herbs and spices is far more ancient than that of tea. Herbal teas should not be called “teas” at all, as they are not made from the leaves of the Camellia sinensis plant. They are, strictly speaking, herbal infusions, and naturally 100% caffeine-free. Many host a variety of health benefits, and some…

I love it when I first notice a new employee get really comfortable with loose leaf tea. Some jump right in, and start happily steeping up loose leaf tea in the break room their very first day here. Others almost noticeably avoid the break room, loose leaf teas and teaware at first, staying at their desks…

Having lost my old yixing teapot to a roommate’s clumsy hands, I think I’m in the market for a new one. In case you’re unfamiliar with yixing clay teapots, here’s a particularly artful one donning a cicada (a Chinese symbol of life after death): I’m more interested in traditional yixing shapes, but I had to…