T Ching’s Opinion and Editorial section – read about tea thoughts, dreams, life, ideas, and everything in between
Popular Taiwanese Tea: Dong Ding Oolong
Recently I attended an event that I believe was a first of its kind here in Taiwan. The Nantou County Government sponsored the Lugu Farmers’ Association to host a public forum on the local specialized industry of Dong Ding Oolong Tea.
Why is Tea Good for Corporate Gifting?
The concept of giving presents has existed in all ages of people and scenarios for ages. Whether you want to give a gift to a friend, colleague, or...
How do You Explain the Unique Qualities of Tea?
A huge part of my job as a tea importer trying to establish Chinese tea service as a cultural practice in America is drawing analogies. This is quite easy when it comes to the tea itself – good tea, like good wine, beer, chocolate, coffee, liquor, or pretty much
Do You Have a Favorite Tea? Searching for “The One”
We all go on a quest in life looking for something to make it all worth it. We date in search for the one; we apply to jobs in search for one; we look for purpose in search of one. On this journey, we so often find others that we loosely call our favorite, or a temporary favorite, yet we are (hopefully) selective before we dedicate ourselves to one.
Do you know the saying, “Keep Calm and Carry On”?
Interesting how such a simple and almost obscure saying has been so widely embraced by the tea industry. Every wonder why?
Exploring the Meaning of Tea 5; Tea is Friendship
Tea has always been the emblem of civilization and peace. “Through tea make friends” is an old proverb expressing the sentiments we share with tea. Tea isn’t always deep and transcendent; it is sometimes a time/space of calm joy, where we can celebrate old friends and make new ones.
Exploring the Meaning of Tea 4; Tea is Heart and Spirit
Tea is a spiritual path, a Dao. In living a life of tea we realize that in all we do, we are preparing tea. What we eat affects our tea, as does the way we treat people. One of our masters always says, “If you want to learn to make tea, you must first learn to be a person.” That’s easier said than done.
Exploring the Meaning of Tea 3; Tea is Medicine
Learning to revere tea as medicine is important to us. Tea is a great healer, of body, mind and spirit. The earliest encyclopedia of Chinese herbs to mention tea stated that it “brightens the eyes.” This is a powerful expression of why Shen Nong,
Darjeeling Teas
The main problem with Darjeeling tea is quantity: there will never be enough to satisfy demand.
Immortal Dew
I do have a favorite tea, and where it’s grown it doesn’t have a particular name. We call it Immortal Dew.
Omotenashi in the Japanese Tea Ceremony
When you enter any place as a customer or guest in Japan, you’ll quickly notice that everyone seems to be at your service. It almost makes you feel that you have done them a favor just by visiting!
The History of Tea in Taiwan
If tea drinkers were asked to list their favorite teas and then told afterward that their tea choices provided a peek into their personalities, many would concede that there are plausible connections.
Tea for Romance
there are many different categories of substances named after the Greek Goddess of love, Aphrodite.
The Benefits of Buying Organic Tea
When you buy organic tea you support the organic tea movement. Full stop. What is it that you’re supporting? Your purchase supports organic farmers who have the integrity of the earth in mind.
Tea Leaf Reading at the Wisteria Festival
At the festival I experienced my very first tea leaf reading session.
Lisa Dong’s Korean Tea and Seon Journey
The main purpose of my trip to Korea this time was to study Korean tea and Korean Seon. The only worry was that I would miss my Korean tea friends.
Tea Blending; History and Advice from 1894
Tea blends come about for love or money. Some blends are classic creations shared across millennia, while others are the secret formulas of tea growers and merchants hoping to capture the affections of tea drinkers with their exclusive blends.
Why do Translations of Chinese Tea Names Differ so Much?
Iron Buddha, Iron Goddess of Mercy, Iron Bodhisattva, Tik Goon Yam, Tieguanyin, Tie Guan Yin, Tit Kwon Yin. These are different spellings of the same tea. Of course this same tea can have a huge spectrum in terms of grade, taste and quality but that is a story for another post.
Rooibos and Other Herbal Adventures
A while ago I realized about how much we love Rooibos in our shop. And we sell a lot of it.
7 Surprising Ways To Use Tea When Painting Your Home
When you are doing some house decorations and have tea bags and some paint brushes.
Tiguanyin; A Cup of Compassion
In the face of what on some days seems like a crumbling world, a planet in total chaos, we find ourselves retracting and hiding rather than...
Best Teas for Joint Pain Management
Joint pain is quick to hinder our mobility as well as decrease our fervor in life. It manifests as inflammation, which is usually characterized by swollen joints, redness, loss of joint function and stiffness.
Sip for Peace; February Review
Each week we honor and celebrate one of the philosophers, songwriters, teachers, religious leaders, or thought leaders who left behind inspiring...
4 Ways Tea and Other Aphrodisiacs Spice Up Your Relationship
The east was first to reap its benefits, but the rest of the world soon caught on and tea was recognized as the universal problem solver.
Want to Start a Tea Business?
Why do you want to start a tea business? This is the most important question you can ask yourself.
Fountain Pens and Inks
A Millennia of enhancements transfigure crude reservoir pens into an elegant modern-day writing instrument.
Sip for Peace; January Review
Each week we honor and celebrate one of the philosophers, songwriters, teachers, religious leaders, or thought leaders who left behind inspiring...
What’s Your Rocky Mountain High?
The media’s exploding with news tidbits surrounding the progressive marijuana legislation in our mile-high state of Colorado. Food pairings, cooking with weed, herbal infusion blends – are all topics which you see in the headlines in our local papers.
Tea Talk; Honoring the Lineage of Tea Information and Education
Tea Talk; Remembering newsletter from 1993 on the pleasures of tea.
Funko Pop!
If Funko Pop! designers could think outside the box, they would create limited editions featuring notable tea masters.
Brewing Melted Snow Tea, A Winter Luxury
Melted snow tea is a luxury during winter, especially during power outages when snow quiets the world.
The Good China and Mismatched Teaware
Why do we save the good china and often never use it? My home is not a storage place for teaware.
Journaling With Tea
What could be more pleasant than sitting down to jot some thoughts with a cup of tea nearby?
Giving a Gift of Tea
Ten suggestions to help you select a gift for the tea lover on your holiday list.
Tea Blogging Life Cycle
Over the last year I’ve questioned why I keep writing. It just gets old, writing similar thoughts over and over…
Is the Tea Ceremony Romantic?
One member of my Tea Dharma Club asked me: “Is the tea ceremony romantic?” I was surprised by this question, so I checked an English dictionary to find what the word “romantic” means.
A Very Brief History of Iranian Tea
In recent months I came across two Iranian films: “A Separation”, which won the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film in 2012, and a film entitled, “This Is Not a Film.”
Life With Father
Despite my best efforts I have not turned Dad into a tea drinker. Then Dad made an unfavorable comparison…
A Tea Lover Considers; What is it about Boba Tea?
As a tea lover and educator, I’ve never understood the fascination with boba. The results of my recent deep dive …
We’re All Here to Spill the Tea
The etymology of the phrase spilling the tea, and the spilling of tea during gongfu tea ceremony.
Sports Stars Rate Among Tea’s Staunchest Supporters
Tea is the beverage of choice for many top-ranked F1 racers, soccer players, and even volleyball players.
Tea Transition
In less than a second, one can access dozens of articles and websites regarding the health benefits of green tea.
Name Brands and Teas
Rags-to-riches journeys weave the history of high fashion and luxury goods.
Independence Day Tea
While I had Independence Day tea, it wasn’t any different than that of any other day.
Gardening with Teapots
This past January I planted some succulents in teacups, teapots, and common planters.
K-Cup Confession
Somehow, grief reduced me to feeling like I did not deserve to be good to myself: My husband’s passing made me hesitate a bit in my tea ritual.
T Ching Classics: Springtime for Tea Lovers
I picked out these three articles from the archives to help elicit joy-filled thoughts of spring. Please enjoy!
Is the Designation Ceylon Problematic?
Is Ceylon a problematic colony-themed origin description? Maybe, maybe not.
T Ching Classics: Cherry Blossoms
Please enjoy this collection of articles from our archives featuring cherry blossoms…
White Day and Tea Gifts
Since I received some things for Valentine’s Day, I gave gifts for White Day… Including tea!