Author: Traci Levy

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Handwarmer Mug: Accessibility Review

This post provides a Handwarmer Mug review from an accessibility perspective. Neher Pottery makes the mug, which includes a “pocket” for your dominant hand. I share my thoughts and a loved one’s reaction to write this overview.

I’m still searching for and trying out mugs for accessibility. A family member who has issues with hand-swelling and soreness inspired this quest. I reviewed the CURVD wide-handled mug about a month ago.

This review is of the ceramic Handwarmer Mug from Neher Pottery. I would like to emphasize that the company was not advertising this mug as accessible. In their description on Etsy, they emphasized the “Handwarmer Mugs are designed with an ergonomic pocket so you can wrap your fingers in comforting warmth while you enjoy your favorite beverage.”

Side view of Handwarmer Mug from Neher Pottery next to some fuschia winter cabbage plants
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Blog Tasting Notes

Favorite Hot Cocoa Recipe

I’m delighted to share my favorite hot cocoa recipe!

Yes, I am a devoted tea drinker. But we also take homemade hot cocoa very seriously at my house! When my kids were growing up, we always made it on days it snowed. We still do. Of course, we also enjoy it on cold, snowless winter days.

favorite hot cocoa with a pink marshmallow in a floral teacup with a gold handle
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Blog

Tea Inspiration List

I’m sharing a tea inspiration list–some ideas for tea experiences to seek out and enjoy in 2026. Will you choose a few or try to do them all?

two white teacups with Oberon Wedgwood pattern--one cup has plain black tea, the other has tea with milk. The teacups are next to a silver strainer and a teapot
Outdoor tea: a clay teacup and gaiwan (brown and cream colored) on a piece of wood by a tree. Autumn leaves blanket the nearby ground.
5 small cups of tea next to a white and brown kyusu teapot and a crystal snowflake on top of a red and gold background
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Blog

Teas That Delighted Me in 2025

The end of the year invites thinking over which teas delighted me in 2025. Although I’ll begin by highlighting some of my longstanding favorites, this post will dwell on the teas that first made it into repeat rotation in 2025. My list includes black, green, oolong, and yellow teas–by coincidence! I wasn’t trying to choose teas from such a wide range of categories.

In front of a window, a tea pitcher full of dark amber Native Cultivar Reserve tea--one that delighted me in 2025
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Blog

Accessible Mug Review: CURVD

Here’s an accessible mug review. This post explores the pros and cons of a CURVD® brand mug with a very wide handle. I share my thoughts and a loved one’s experience to write this overview. [Updated 12/12/25]

An Accessible Mug Can Be Helpful

Someone I love mentioned to me that they sometimes have a hard time holding mugs due to swelling and mobility issues with their hands. They said it can be very uncomfortable holding a regular mug–they can’t get their fingers comfortably through regular-sized handles. So, that makes it hard for them to avoid spilling hot tea or coffee. Not a pleasant experience for them, to say the least.

white accessible mug with a wide handle by CURVD
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Blog

Story of the Niagara Falls Teacup

I’d like to tell you the story of the Niagara Falls teacup, in the photo nearby. It’s me with the teacup in the wind, the mist, and the light but blowing RAIN. I’m standing in front of the Horseshoe Falls in Niagara Falls, Canada. My hands rest on a white teacup and saucer decorated with pink roses. I’m laughing at the absurdity and fun of taking this photo under these conditions.

Traci Levy a.k.a. Tea Infusiast holding a teacup in the blowing wind by the Horseshoe Falls in Niagara Falls, Canada.
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Blog Events Newsletter

Monthly Events for TIN Subscribers

Learn about the monthly events for TIN subscribers and the other advantages of subscribing to Tea Infusiast News (TIN). It’s my free monthly newsletter for tea lovers.

On this blog, I cover tea from many angles–from tasting notes, sparkling tea recipes, traveling with tea advice, cultural investigations, part of a mindfulness practice, and more.

Besides offering updates on what has been posted on the blog, in Tea Infusiast News I run giveaways, provide advance notice of events, and offer pre-registration opportunities and discounts to many of my paid events.

Additionally, I typically offer monthly events that are only open to (and free for) my TIN subscribers.

Tea Infusiast logo--pink teacup with the handle turning into part of the "T" in Tea Infusiast. The lettering is in black and there is a blue background
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Blog

Why Tea Bags Stay in My Cupboard

Why tea bags stay in my cupboard and you might want to stock some, too.

Once I started using loose leaf tea, I fell in love with it.

I rarely used tea bags for many years thereafter, even though some tea bags have very high quality tea (despite what some tea lovers will tell you). I never looked down my nose at tea bags. I did, however, appreciate the beauty of the whole tea leaves that I more often found in loose leaf. I also loved being able to admire the leaves and the aroma more clearly without the barrier of a sachet between the tea and me. And, the ritual of preparing loose leaf tea is typically a joy for me.

white tag with the word "tea" on the tea tag of a tea bag
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Blog Events

2026 Tea Festivals

This post shares 2026 tea festival dates and locations in North America, Europe, and Australia. You can see lists organized by date or country…and even by state within the United States. And, I’ve included a category for virtual tea festivals.

Last year, I had over 40 tea festivals on my 2025 Tea Festivals list. So, this post will certainly grow as more festivals announce their 2026 dates. [Last updated 1/10/26.]

yellow teapot next to a festival banner with yellow flags
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Blog

Lovely Experience at Jin Yun Fu Tea Shop in NYC

I had a lovely experience at Jin Yun Fu Tea Shop in Manhattan. I attended their Mid-Autumn Festival Tea Gathering in early October 2025 with three members of my family.

The Space

Jin Yun Fu relocated about a year ago. They are now on W 29th Street in Manhattan (New York City).

Traci (a.k.a. Tea Infusiast) wearing a black shirt with white stripes and jeans and sunglasses in front of the sign for "Jin Yun Fu Tea Shop"

The teashop is below street level, but natural light still streams in through the big windows in the front of the shop.

Inside, there are long, wooden tea tables and gorgeous teaware. It’s a very calming and harmonious space. It’s much more spacious than their previous location, too.

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