James Norwood Pratt, America’s Leading Tea Lover, and quite possibly the world’s most widely read authority on tea and tea lore, has deep ties to North Carolina. A lifetime learner and accomplished scholar, Mr. Pratt has been celebrated in both San Francisco, CA and Chapel Hill, NC in the past six months, with another event…
Congratulations to the just-announced president of the Canadian Tea/Herb Association, Shabnam Weber!
In 1835, the first consignment of Java tea reaches Amsterdam. It is Europe’s first tea not from China or Japan.
Given the wonderful response to the tea love story of Koongse and Chang, I thought I would share another story of tea love. The sweet email and photos were sent to me by Charles and Marthea, from a wine event in Oakland, CA, on Saturday November 4, 2017. “Here’s to many more years of good…
The willow pattern, in the traditional Chinese blue and white, is supposed to have originated at the Caughley, Shropshire, porcelain works about 1780. It was quickly copied by migratory engravers in the factories of Staffordshire and other parts of England. A story differing in detail at the hands of various raconteurs but retaining its main…
The earliest known mention of tea in the literature of Europe appeared about 1559. It occurs as Chai Catai, “Tea of China” in Navigationi e Viaggi, or Voyages and Travels, by Giambattista Ramusio (1485-1557), a noted Venetian author who published a valuable collection of narratives of voyages and discoveries in ancient and modern times. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀…
Here’s beautiful “Sooz”, aka Suzette Hammond, International Tea Consultant (@soozluff), sharing one of Jason Chen’s spectacular oolongs in the apartment.
Mike Harney and the effortlessly chic Brigette came in from the East coast to celebrate Brigette’s birthday. (Actually she’s ageless and blessed with poise and grace.) How fortunate we’re able to get together a couple times a year. Here we are in Chinatown at our favorite Hunan restaurant Brandy Ho’s.
The 10th Anniversary of the @nwteafestival in Seattle was a splendid affair. Founders Julee and Doug were there at the beginning, believing when no-one else did, and what a success they have wrought. Forty plus vendors from all parts of the globe. We were so happy to see old tea friends, many attending from the…