What’s up tea lovers?

I have a funny story to tell about something that happened to me the other day. I was just doing some finishing touches on a paper about Yerba Mates (I’ve titled it “Have ya Heard About Yerba? - A Natural Pick-me-up”) when I got a nasty paper cut on my thumb. I’m sure I don’t have to tell you how much those hurt!

While I was digging around my medicine drawer, I came across this bottle of tea tree oil that My folks gave me when they came back from Australia. They told me it was good for this kind of thing, so as I swabbed my thumb, I got to wondering–what is tea tree oil, and does it have any real tea in it?

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Dear sweet Tea Apostles;

I do so appreciate your attention and care as you study the many aspects of the Way of Tea. I know that in my constant instruction and general testiness when it seems you don’t know why rooibos tea is called red tea, and other basic facts that you should certainly know by now, I sometimes forget to tell you that I am proud of you. My heart sometimes swells up like a used teabag at the thought of how much you continue to grow.

Forgive me if I am overly sentimental. I seem to be out of my morning black tea today, and I am missing it a bit, feeling a bit emotional.  I do so love black tea, you know. I love its brisk flavor, so rich and strong. I love every kind of black tea, from the flowery and fruity teas like Crimson Rose and Passion Fruit, to the spicy and nutty taste of the Masala Chai and Cinnamon Spice.

How much do you know about Black Tea?

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Tea Ceremony to be held at Hamarikyu Gardens

Oh my diligent tea students, I am feeling quite nostalgic as I sip my organic oolong tea. The strong aroma does take me back to my younger days, and thought I continue to feel young due to the almost magical effects of tea. But that’s not what I am talking about. You see, coming up in Japan, some tea houses are going to hold what cold be the largest tea ceremony ever.

On October 25 and 26, in Hamarikyu Gardens in the Chuo Ward will play host to a ceremony that will be celebrated by something like 8,000 people. 8,000 people will be taking tea, being a part of the Tokyo Grand Tea Ceremony. This is quite an amazing thing, tea students. I should not have to tell you that.

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Hello common people.

It is no secret that a good cup of tea is one of my favorite things. They didn’t name Earl Grey Tea after me for nothing, after all. (It wasn’t a catchy name when I first told them what to call it, BTW, and a bit of resistance had to be stamped out quickly and some say viciously.)

But as much as I enjoy a good strong black tea (though I like green tea and white teas as well, and don’t let anyone tell you differently), I do also enjoy a bit of the nectar of the gods, the fruit of the vine. And in that frame of mind, I shall tell you a bit about how tea is like wine.
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Hey there, Tea People!

Are you having fun reading about tea? The health benefits of tea, the different kinds of loose teas, how long to leave your tea bags in—all that stuff? Those guys seem to know what they’re talking about. I’d listen to them.

I’ve got a little something different for you. Those other stuffed shirts might like to talk about how tea is made, and the difference between white tea and black tea, loose leaf tea vs. tea bags, or whatever. Well, all I care about is how good the tea tastes.

I’m not saying hot tea isn’t already delicious. I like it as much as the next girl, of course. But sometimes, I want a little something extra. So today I’m going to tell you a little bit about something I put into my tea sometimes—milk.

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Greetings Tea Students;

As I sit in my Tea Monastery, sipping a flavorful cup of Masai Sunset Tea and hum a short mantra to the Oneness of Tea-ness (I chose a nice rooibos tea because I have a lot of meditating to do later, so I need the natural energy boost), my otherwise blank mind wanders back to an age-old question, that I thought perhaps I would share with you, my inquisitive tea seekers, today. Prepare your minds.

Now, those who have meditated, or even seen movies about meditation, probably know this one: what is the sound of one hand clapping? Well, that one is too easy, so I shall enlighten you as to what we say here at the Tea Shrine.

Why does a teacup have no handle?

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Hey guys! I know we tea lovers like to talk about the perfect way to make tea, and how you should always use loose leaf tea, and all that jazz. Obviously, we are bigtime tea drinkers and want it to be perfect. And we want your cup of tea to be perfect too!

But the reality might be that you can’t always use loose leaf tea. That your supermarket doesn’t carry organic tea. That your tea infuser broke. Whatever the reason, sometimes you have to improvise. And we understand!

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Hullo Tea Loving Peasants, Serfs, and Commoners. ‘Tis I, the Earl of Grey, here to tell you all about a startling discovery.

I was sitting here drinking a hot cup of favorite loose tea and my servant was reading to me aloud from the internet, when we stumbled across a medical site with some interesting news about Green tea. It seems studies in China have discovered that green tea, in conjunction with the reishi mushroom, has been proven to drastically slow the growth and invasiveness of cancerous tumors.
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Part 7: Herbal Tea

You are no doubt anxious to complete your lessons on the different types of tea. You have studied hard, I have no doubt, and know all that I have shown you and more about the previous types I have explained to you: white tea, green tea, oolong tea,  black tea, rooibos tea, and yerba tea. Now it is time to finish your journey.

The final type of tea is herbal tea.

Herbal tea, like yerba mate and rooibos, are not actually types of tea since they are not made from the leaves of the tea bush. But while these other two are made from specific plants, herbal tea is basically any kind of tea not made from tea leaves. Herbal teas are actual infusions made from other plants, such as leaves, flowers, roots, or seeds.

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Part 6: Yerba Tea

As you all continue your journey down the Path of the Perfect Pot of Tea, I, Master Amanzi hope to guide you with my vast knowledge of the Way of Tea.

We have already dealt with the four kinds of actual tea:  white tea, green tea, oolong tea, and black tea. We have also discussed rooibos tea. This brings us to another cousin of the tea family: Yerba Tea.

Yerba tea, also called mate, is a Central American drink that is made from a type of holly plant that grows in that region. Because yerba isn’t made from tea leaves it’s not considered tea, but is prepared in the same way and is often served as an option in tea circles.

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