Black tea looks very different from green tea because of its oxidation process. Let’s take a look at this from a chemical point of view. Polyphenols are compounds naturally...
Japanese Green Tea Company Ceremonial Matcha
I received a special matcha sample, just in time to review it for my birthday. This ceremonial matcha from Japanese Green Tea Company won and award in the straight...
The Harumidori Tea Cultivar
Harumidori (はるみど) means “spring green”. This tea cultivar can be cultivated in all tea producing regions of Japan and thrives in cold weather. It is meant for sencha production....
Podcast 039: DoMatcha
I’ve reviewed teas from DoMatcha before, they have all been very good. But I hadn’t recorded a podcast episode about this company until now. In this episode I interview...
Yannoko Tea Wakoucha Sora
Yannoko Tea has added many Japanese black teas (wakoucha) to their website. Among them is this tea from the Yabukita cultivar made by Dokodemosora in Wakayama prefecture. Although they...
Wabi Sabi
Wabi sabi (侘び寂び) is a Japanese sense of aesthetics that finds beauty in the natural, imperfect, incomplete, and impermanent. It’s not easy to define, even for the Japanese. But...
The Book of Japanese Tea (Book Review)
After reading the first book from Oscar Brekell, I was eager to read his other two books. I managed to get my hands on his latest book, published on...
Tarui Tea Farm Ranryu
This tea has a fancy name: orchid dragon (蘭龍). The name comes from its floral aroma. I received this sample from Ian of Yunomi.life. The tea is made with...
Sen no Rikyu: The Greatest Japanese Tea Master
Sen no Rikyū (千利休), also written as Sen Rikyū, is best known for perfecting the Japanese tea ceremony. Such was his importance, that he served as the tea master...
The Ryoufuu Tea Cultivar
Ryoufuu (りょうふう, 涼風) means “cool breeze”. This cultivar was developed in Shizuoka prefecture for sencha production. The name comes from the fact that it has a refreshing aroma and...
Mizuba Tea Yorokobi Matcha
After the podcast interview with Lauren from Mizuba Tea, she sent me some samples for review. Yorokobi is an organic ceremonial matcha made with the Okumidori and Kanayamidori cultivars....
How to Make Tea for Many People at Once
Sometimes you’ll find yourself having to make tea for more guests that what your teapot allows, or perhaps you need to make a large amount of tea for an...