Eccentric Tea Woman

Let me start this book review with the following statement - this book is so freakin' CUTE! Okay, back to the review! Imagine if you will a world in which there are beings that grow tea from their horns and antlers. Welcome to The Tea Dragon Society , a book by New Zealand illustrator and graphic novelist Katie O'Neill. This oversized hardback will be a delight to both adults and children as they enter into this fantasy world filled with friendship, love, responsibility, and above all else - TEA! "After discovering a lost Tea Dragon in the marketplace, Greta learns about the dying art form of Tea Dragon caretaking from the kind tea shop owners, Hesekiel and Erik. As she befriends them and their shy ward, Minette, Greta sees how the craft enriches their lives - and eventually her own." This well written story with lush pictures is a world that any tea lover will want to visit again and again! Within this world, love comes in all forms and that made such a...

Here's another great interview - meet Celia Carmen Aceae! What’s your name and what part of the world do you live in? Hi! My name is Celia Carmen Aceae and I live in Montreal, QC, Canada How long have you been drinking tea? What’s the story, morning glory? I’ve been drinking tea since I can remember. In my house, we never drank water and there was no rule against children consuming caffeine at all! I’ve only recently realized that the reason my sister and I were always labeled as crazy, wild and hyper at school, was probably because my mom sent us to class every day with a giant jug of tea. We were constantly caffeinated! Tea also means more than just Camellia sinensis for me. I’ve been reading about medicinal herbs since I was eight. My mother forbade all forms of medication in our household, so I learned at a young age how to cure small ailments with plants and tisanes. My sister was very prone to headaches and anytime she started to get one, I would hop on my ...

Wow, I've truly enjoyed the replies I've received for this series so far - here's another one!  Meet Emily Crosier of @TeaWithEmmy! What's your name and what part of the world do you live in? Hello! My name is Emily Crosier. I live in West Virginia! How long have you been drinking Tea? I have been drinking Tea since an adolescent. Recently, I have been exploring the different types, tastes, and histories of Tea. After cosmetology school, I found that building a new career was stressful and strenuous. Various loose leaf Teas provide me with peace of mind, stress relief, and a calmness that I desperately need. Do you work in the Tea industry and if so, what do you do? I currently do not work in the Tea industry but it is a goal that I hope to achieve in the future. Why do you enjoy drinking Tea? How does Tea make you feel? I enjoy drinking Tea not only because it tastes wonderful, but because it's relaxing, has many health benefits, and...

Here's the latest in my Tea series - meet Tammy Martinez! What’s your name and what part of the world do you live in? Hello, my name is Tammy Martinez, I reside in the United States in the Big State of Texas. How long have you been drinking tea? I have been drinking to all of my life but When did I truly learn to appreciate the good stuff? About 7 years ago. I had no idea how much I didn’t know about tea.  I have been studying the art of tea for over 7 years and the journey has been amazing! World Tea Academy helped to heighten my tea knowledge and the rest has come through experience, a myriad of books on tea and its history and lastly reputable instructors on YouTube. Do you currently work in the Tea industry and if so, what do you do? I currently have my own tea business called The Steeped Leaf Shop.  I have an online store, a small booth in an antique and craft shop. I do tea classes weekly that range from tea 101’s to specialized Gongfu Cha session...

Eighty Degrees , a Tea focused periodical based in Portugal, goes well beyond what is somewhat expected from a journal. Tea is the number one beverage consumed in the world (next to water), and eighty degrees offers a well rounded look into that world. From interviews with tea shop owners and photographers, to detailed articles regarding the history of Tea and possible extinction of relatives of the plant, the first issue of eighty degrees is a winner. I purchased the journal quite some time ago yet didn't begin reading it until this weekend. Wow, better late than never. This 140+ page journal is a good start for someone who wishes to learn more about Tea. In being an owner of a Tea company, I have had many people tell me how they "don't know much about Tea" or they "don't drink it because it's not coffee" or Tea was nothing more than "tepid salad water". After reading the first issue of eighty degrees, I wish I could purchase many co...

East Indies Coffee & Tea Company's motto is - Water's Best Friend . No kidding! I received a sample of Dreidel Dreidel Dreidel from them while at the World Tea Expo this year and had to try it today. Memphis went from 90 degree days to high 30/low 40 degree days within the span of a week. I've been craving hot chocolate with hazelnut and cinnamon and BIG marshmallows; however, this tea was a nice substitution. This tea, from the photo above, is chock full of sweet and nutty goodies with a black tea as base. When I opened the bag, the scents of caramel, nuts, and chocolate was a nice welcome to my senses. I used hot/barely boiling water and prepared the tea in one of my French presses (a great way to make tea, by the way!), then let it steep for several minutes. The result was interesting. First Slurp: The tea smelled like dessert in a cup, yet when I tasted it, the only flavour I got was a nice mellow "almond roasted with hints of toffee". Don...

I am so happy that I have a third Tea Person to share with you:  Freya Radlein ! What’s your name and what part of the world do you live in? Freya Radlein and I live in Seattle. How long have you been drinking tea? Ever since I was little. Growing up in England tea was part of culture. We'd stop at 11 (we called it elevensies) and have a drink and a biscuit or a snack. It was black with milk, also known as "builder's tea" although technically, it should have two sugars as well. As I got older I added the herbals in, chamomile, straight red and green rooibos. Do you currently work in the Tea industry and if so, what do you do? I have a tea business selling both tea and designing personalized tea event favors. Why do you enjoy drinking Tea?   How does Tea make you feel? For me tea is a lifestyle. It's an intricate part of my day which brings me joy and mental relaxation even if I'm drinking it busy doing things. It's a conne...

Although I have many books regarding the subject of Tea, The Tea Cyclopedia by Dr. Keith Souter was quite a nice surprise. This slender book is full of goodies regarding all things Tea. Within this book you'll find the history of the world's favourite drink, the steps in processing the different kinds of Tea, and interesting moments in history regarding Tea. Dr. Souter also talks about the Tea smugglers who would do anything to procure the leaves, the many health benefits that Tea offers, Tea Jennys - witches who used Tea in their magick, the art of Tasseography or Tea leaf reading, and much more. He even discusses Tea in literature - books and Tea always seem to go together well. In my own Tea Path, I have met many people who are just as obsessed with Tea as I am, probably even more. We all share a love for that drink and we take special care in preparing it just right. Dr. Souter confesses early in the book that he is quite obsessed with Tea and rightfully so. When I t...

The first time I met author Eva Vanrell was in New Orleans at Wizard World. She arrived in style, dressed in a kimono, ready to sign her books. Some time later, we connected and became close friends and sisters. Her first book, The Butterfly Crest , is one that will stay with you for a very long time. Partially because of the characters, partially because of the plot, but mostly for the detailed descriptions of everything in this book's "universe". She makes you feel as though you are truly within her book and not just a passing spectator. The story is thus: attorney Elena Vicens in New Orleans lives a somewhat interesting and quiet life, until everything changes when she receives a message regarding a safety deposit box that belonged to her deceased mother. Elena, not expecting anything in particular, travels to Japan with her friend and "family" member Cataline to learn more about this item. Japan is a second home to Elena, and so she settles into th...

Sharon Smallwood, owner of Serendipity Sue's , is a fellow alum of World Tea Academy. I enjoyed her responses to my questions and I hope you will as well! My name is Sharon Smallwood.  I am 58 years old, married, with 8 grown children, and 21 grandchildren between my husband and me.  I retired two years ago from a brief career as a Hospice chaplain.  Not intending in the beginning of my adult life to seek a specific career, I chose to raise my family.  I did, however, have many different jobs in order to supplement the family income, from food service to retail, medical and dental to education, providing personal care to chaplaincy, along with various home-based businesses, which were reasonably successful. I’ve always had the drive, but not always the support, in my ventures.  In 2013, after only 27 years of off and on college attendance, I received my BS in Psychology. So, how did I arrive at tea?  During the months prior to retiring, the wom...

Sometimes, a good cup of Tea does help your mood if you are feeling low, sad, or under the weather. That was certainly the case with me and 365 Summer Herbal Tisane made by Royal Tea New York . I had the pleasure of meeting some of their people at the 2019 World Tea Expo and was happy to receive several samples of their Teas! First Sniff: I took a deep sniff after opening the bag and WOW! Hints of citrus, spices, grass, and mint welcomed me, and I knew that this tisane was going to be an experience. I used three tablespoons of the blend and let it steep for four minutes in my TARDIS French press. The bag's instructions called for 5-10 minutes of steeping, so do whatever you think is right for you. I like to tell people that there is no definite length of time when it comes to steeping herbal tisanes. First Slurp: I sniffed the liquid and immediately thought - this is sunlight in a cup. I wasn't wrong. The first slurp gave my mouth a balanced mixture of lemongrass and...

While sitting at my corporate job, the thought came to me - why not interview Tea lovers and find out their stories? I love connecting with people, listening to them and why they do what they do. And of course, I DO love Tea.  And so, Tea Is a Good Friend of Mine was born! I hope you enjoy these stories as much as I do - much thanks to those who shared their tales with me. Let's begin! I met Leif Hassell several years ago through a mutual friend. When I started this series, he was quick to say yes and I'm glad he did! Welcome, Leif! (very cool oil painting of Leif) W hat’s your name and what part of the world do you live in? Leif Hassell, and I live in Little Rock, Arkansas. How long have you been drinking tea? What’s the story, morning glory? Most of my life. I never developed a taste for coffee, but like any good Southern boy, I was practically weaned on Sweet Iced Tea. I enjoyed hot tea in the winter, but boyhood of watching Star Trek le...

I recently travelled to New England to visit family and friends, all the while continuing my role as a Tea Traveller. I know I drank my weight in Tea (grin). On my last day in Boston, I finally visited the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum . For those of you who have no idea what or whom I'm talking about, Isabella Stewart Gardner was a patron of the arts in all aspects in the late 1800s/early 1900s. She built a museum in 1899 and moved into the fourth floor in 1901 as she continued to support the arts with her ever growing collection. If you ever find yourself visiting Boston, or you have just moved to that area, do yourself a favour and visit that museum. As I walked into the courtyard area, I remembered that I kept saying, "Wow." I'd never seen such a beautiful home and museum before and at one point I whispered to myself, "Isabella, I HAVE to know you better." When I left some time later, I had to stop in the gift shop and it was there that I discover...

While attending the 2019 World Tea Expo in Las Vegas, I suddenly had a thought: to learn as much as I could about the Korean Tea Culture. Now, seeing as how I am a lover of world cultures, this  thought did not surprise me too much. However, I will freely admit that I knew next to nothing about Korean Tea Culture, except for what I learned through the World Tea Academy. Thankfully, I have several books on that subject! In starting my self education of all things Korean Tea, I recently tried the Blended Green Wedding Tea from Osulloc - Tea From Jeju since 1979 and WOW. I never knew I could actually taste a wedding in April. As soon as I opened the bag, I felt absolutely feminine. A woman, dressed in special clothing, ready to join her life with the man she loves. The scent of the blended green tea had me swooning and I was more than ready to brew it. First Slurp: The first taste of this tea was simply - delicate, lacy, feminine, flowery, grassy, and honeysuckle swe...