A traditional Japanese teahouse
As my young tea students edge closer in their tea education to an actual graduation from my tea shrine, the time draws near for me to prepare that most holy of time honored traditions — the Tea Ceremony.
Perhaps you have heard of this great tradition. But it is time you knew a bit more of it. Sit down and I shall enlighten you.
Hey Tea blog readers!
Just got back from an extended holiday with the folks. and it’s glad to be drinking a big cuppa English Breakfast Tea from my favorite mug, with my itty bitty kitty cat lying on my feet, purring. warm and comfy and done with the stress of holiday shopping pressures. I’m sure you know what I mean!
The ‘rents made fun when they saw that I had an entire bag full of Amanzi Teas, but as I explained, I need different kinds of tea for different things, and no one can predict the future! Best to be prepared! And sure enough, I used every type of tea I brought!
Hi Tea people!
It’s been a little while since my last post — I’ve been recovering from all the turkey I ate and the fun times I had sipping Treasure Island Tea, my most recent favorite flavor from Amanzi Tea, with my family. (If you’re like me, nothing goes better with a full belly than a cup of hot black tea. It helps with digestion and settles the stomach, after all!) And now it seems like I can barely blink but Christmas is coming up! The holidays just keep coming.
But that’s got me thinking, as the holidays start overtaking us, and the bitter winter climate greets us every morning, as our neighbors start covering their homes in Christmas lights and candy canes, my mood tends to change. I start wanting a more…winter kind of tea, that goes with the season. Well, don’t you worry, cause I’ve got you covered!
Tea apprentices;
As you are no doubt aware, this day is not special to every single part of the world except the United States. And no one celebrates it in any other countries except the American who happen to be there, nevertheless, as my American tea students have begged and begged, they will not be meditating on the tiny molecules of tea permeating their tea cup today. They will instead be eating and talking about the things they are thankful for.
And while as far as my students are concerned, this is just an excuse not to study and train, to you I will admit this one thing: it is not altogether an unfruitful practice to remember the things which make one happy, and to acknowledge their existence and your gratitude for it. And in that spirit, let me tell you something for which I am thankful: a little bit of peace and quiet.
Greetings online Tea Lovers;
Teato has put down his steaming cup of Yerba Mate tea quite suddenly (and spilled a little on his extemely expensive shirt an ex-girlfriend gave him) to tell you about a wonderful new idea that he has only recently heard about.
A company in San Diego is selling green tea bracelets. They call them “Zenlets,” saying that they “are made out of green tea, which absorbs into your skin and body for health benefits…The bracelets should be worn for eight to twelve days before the green tea is completely absorbed.”
Hey again you guys! Just sipping some of Amanzi’s awesome Almond Walnut Tea (which is a delicious black tea, btw) taking a break from work with my favorite thing in the world, Youtube! I bet you can guess what i searched for! Tea, of course!
And today I learned a few new things about this amazing concoction! And the best part is, it’s in this addictive and informative little song so that you won’t be able to forget about it! If you aren’t humming “Tea is for me” the rest of the day…well, you’re a lot stronger than I am!
Hello again tea lovers;
As you may know, Teato adores the tea. Almost as much as he loves the ladies. (On some days, he prefers tea a little bit more–it just depends.) And when I can, I bring the two together as much as possible. For what makes a woman’s heart grow warmer for you than a steaming cup of a rich white tea like rose garden blend? (if she loves roses, why would she not love a cup of rose garden? My logic has a simple beauty you can’t argue, no?)
But as you have certainly read before, the tea must not be steeped for too long. The perfect cup of tea must be brewed just so. So how to smother my gorgeous companion with attention while still making sure the tea is as perfect as she is? It’s actually quite simple. Techonology to the rescue!
Hey tea lovers!
As the weather turns colder I find that I am not brewing up some iced tea and taking it for a hike so much anymore. More and more I find myself sitting inside with a warm cup of yerba mate, telling myself I ought to get some exercise. And yet my body just sits there. It doesn’t listen at all. Has this ever happened to you?
Anyway, I was wasting too much time surfing the old internet instead of exercising, and as usual, found something great about tea– specifically green tea, and an interesting way to…shall we say “imbibe” it? Apparently when there’s no gravity, you can eat tea with chopsticks! Crazy right! Check it out!
Tea Students;
You have all grown so much in these past few months under my Tea tutelage. I am quite proud of how far you’ve come. When I first met you, you didn’t know a tea leaf from a bay leaf, or the difference between loose tea and a loose knot. Why, you still thought tea was just a letter in the alphabet! Ha! We laugh about it now. But it was quite pathetic.
I wanted to tell you about an old expression relating to tea, that you will perhaps find enlightening. It is quite deep. And it has come into the popular spotlight quite recently, so now is a good time to enlighten you.
Tea Students.
I was not always a tea master. I once was a young tea student. I once lived only on pizza and thought I never needed sleep. I wanted to rebel against the Man. I was not concerned with my health, thinking I could live forever (even without the health benefits of green tea and the rest of the teas). I once had to make tea with the loose leaves that I picked myself, because I could not afford to buy them. So I know what it is like to be low on funds.
I know times are hard economically right now. Many of my students cannot afford to buy new tea every day. I will share with you the piece of tea advice that I share with them when times are hard. Are you ready to gain some tea wisdom?
