This post shares my yellow tea tasting notes and explains what makes this less common category of tea so unique.
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Chinese Yellow Tea Tasting Notes
Category: Blog
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My Week Ran Me
When my week ran me, I was stressed, tired, and demoralized. This post share the approaches I tried until I finally learned how to schedule my time in a more humane, joyful, and productive way.
I used to feel like my week ran me instead of like I ran my week.
I was productive–writing, teaching, grading, attending committee meetings, meal planning, organizing my kids’ activities, and so on. But, it all felt disorienting and exhausting.
I always knew, for example, that work was stressful. But, I vividly remember the day I deeply realized how it was impacting me physically, mentally, and emotionally. I was walking from my car to my office. It was a beautiful day. I was walking at a leisurely pace. Suddenly, I realized my heart was pounding in my chest as if I had had been sprinting instead of walking. My body was responding powerfully to the anticipated stress. I knew I HAD to make a change.
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The Wider World of Tea
Two specific experiences made me curious about the wider world of tea.
I grew up enjoying a cup of Lipton tea with milk and sugar. Sometimes, we’d have Tetley tea at a relative’s house. As far as I knew, tea always came in tea bags with very small, broken leaves.
I also assumed almost everyone drank tea with milk unless they were drinking iced tea. Indeed, these styles of tea are great for making a hearty, malty cup of tea good with milk.
Here are my main upcoming, fall 2025 Tea Infusiast offerings!
I am delighted to offer one series, a workshop, and a charity fundraiser planned in fall 2025! Read more to learn about these events and register for those already open.
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Great Experience with Tea Teacher Training
I am a proud 2022 graduate of Being Tea’s Tea Teacher Training, an online program created and taught by Sooz Hammond. With the three year anniversary of my graduation approaching, I’ve been reflecting on the great experience and the unexpected (and wonderful) impact this program had on me.
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Hojicha Banana Smoothie
This recipe for a Hojicha Banana Smoothie is sweet and delicious without any added sugar. And, you can make it with only four ingredients! It’s a perfect summer treat–the frozen bananas give a luxurious texture and make it icy cold and refreshing.
The hojicha adds a delicious toastiness and complexity that compliments the natural sweetness from the ripe, frozen banana. Additionally, it provides that calm, steady energy from the caffeine and other compounds in tea.
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10 Iced Tea Hacks
Here are 10 iced tea hacks to help you enjoy delicious, convenient, and beautiful iced tea.
I’ve spent years experimenting with iced tea and learning different techniques and tricks. I’d love to share them with you!
Make this the summer you treat yourself and your guests to wonderful iced tea. I’m here to encourage you and offer tips!
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10 Days One Tea
In this post, I share reflections on my experience with a self-designed project: “10 days, one tea.” Read on to learn my discoveries drinking the same tea every morning for 10 days.
Background for the Experiment
If you are a casual or more focused tea drinker you, might wonder why it would be anything new to drink the same tea every day. Many folks drink tea that way.
I’ll share why it is for me. I have dozens and dozens of teas at home. This is a benefit/challenge of being so enthusiastic about trying new teas. No judgment for anyone who doesn’t share the same tea goals!
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Phoenix Dan Cong Sampler Review
Tea tastes can change. Even dramatically. My feelings about Dan Cong oolong are a great example. The first time I tried a Phoenix Dan Cong–many years ago now–I was not impressed. I don’t remember how I brewed it that time, so it’s hard to know whether my brewing technique and/or my palate have changed.
I am now a huge fan of Phoenix Dan Cong. I’ve learned to deeply appreciate this Chinese, twisted-leaf oolong from the Phoenix Mountains ( in Chinese, Fenghuangshan). The more common flavor notes among the different floral and spice notes in the varieties that I’ve tried so far are: minerality, hops, and a slight and beautiful bitterness (if brewed carefully). There’s always a lush fruity and/or floral aroma(s) as well. These leaves are so fragrant–despite not being blended or scented–that they are named for their floral and/or spice aromas.
In this post, I share my initial disappointment and eventual appreciation of my experience with an Interactive Guided Meditation course from Jack Kornfield.
In April 2025, I finished an online Masterclass in Interactive Guided Meditation led by Jack Kornfield. Initially, I was disappointed. I misunderstood the nature of the “cohort” system for this course. Despite that, I was fascinated and, at times, moved by the new tools and the deeper dives into some of the techniques I learned.
