Tea InfusiastThe 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.
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.
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.
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.
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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.
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 12/2/25.]
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.
Jin Yun Fu relocated about a year ago. They are now on W 29th Street in Manhattan (New York City).
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.
Meet the 2025 storytellers for Tea Infusiast’s annual chariTEA fundraiser!
On November 16, 2025, I am hosting the fourth annual Story of a Teacup online fundraiser for a nonprofit organization. [UPDATE: This event is now over, but please read on about the wonderful storytellers!]
I’m excited to introduce you to this year’s storytellers!
Before I do–a quick word about this event. It’s an online tea party with storytelling! It’s an empathy-building event for tea lovers that raises money for a charitable cause. ALL ticket sales go to a designated charity.
Join me at the fourth annual Story of a Teacup 2025 chariTEA fundraiser! Connect with other tea lovers over tea and stories while supporting a great cause. This is a live, online event! [UPDATE: This event already happened.]
World Central Kitchen (WCK) is the beneficiary of Story of a Teacup 2025. All proceeds go directly to this amazing nonprofit. WCK uses the power of food to nourish communities and strengthen economies around the world. They are first to the frontlines, providing meals in response to humanitarian, climate, and community crises.
I’m sharing my review of Rose Label Gold from Nepal Tea Collective. I’ve been lucky enough to have had two delightful tea sessions, on different days, with this tea.
This black tea is from a special cultivar (BB157). It was grown in Nepal. Despite not being scented or having any flavors added, this tea has heady notes of rose and other lovely floral, spice, and citrus notes. It’s the alchemy of cultivar, terroir, weather, and processing!
