This post shares my yellow tea tasting notes and explains what makes this less common category of tea so unique.
Categories
Chinese Yellow Tea Tasting Notes
Category: Tasting Notes
Categories
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.
Categories
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!
Categories
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!
Categories
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.
Varli in Williston Park, New York serves three different kinds of chai, or tea. They also serve Indian street food. [Post updated 9/12/25.]
Although I’ve had a number of delicious meals there (including breakfast on the weekend), this review will focus on the three types of chai that Varli serves.
I visited Varli in Williston Park several times before writing this review of their chai. It was important to me to try their different types of chai on different visits.
Categories
Ode to Roam
This post is my ode to Roam–a loosely compressed Dian Hong black tea blend sold by Crimson Lotus Tea. (This post is NOT sponsored.)
Some teas are beautiful (to me) in ways that are easy to explain–heady floral bouquet, deep minerality, silky texture, notes of cream, chocolate, or berries, and so on. By contrast, other teas win my heart and it’s much harder to explain why. Roam is one of those teas!
Categories
Tea-Infused Chocolates to Delight
This post shares a handful of tea-infused chocolates to delight your palate, especially if you enjoy oolong or green tea.
Categories
Tea and Buttery Cookie Pairings
Here are some tea pairings–black and green teas–to serve with cookies. I hope you will enjoy these and buttery cookie pairings as much as I do!
Winter is cookie season! Cookies are my absolute favorite dessert. Seriously, I could easily rattle off 10 or more “favorite cookies!”
Categories
I Drink Tea With My Eyes
You may have heard the saying: we eat first with our eyes. I recently had an experience that underscored that I drink tea with my eyes. But, it’s more complicated than “only” noting the appearance. Let me explain…
I grew up drinking malty black tea with milk. I still really enjoy it from time to time—even more so when the weather gets colder.
