About 3 years ago, I traveled to Japan for the first time. This was also my first time in Asia. Earlier that year, I had completed a yearlong journey around the world which took me to a variety of foreign environments (20+ countries). So... I believed that I was mentally prepared for the unknown that … Continue reading My First Taste of Matcha
A Guide for Tea in Tokyo.
The first time I went to Tokyo, I was looking for tea. I had only started to fall for Japanese tea then. The problem was, I had no idea how to find it. Japanese seemed intimidating to me. Kanji. I had no idea what that even was. Foreign sounds and sights, lots and lots of … Continue reading A Guide for Tea in Tokyo.
Darjeeling: Day 2, The Tea Fields
I began my day with a delicious Indian breakfast. The cuisine is all vegetarian at the place I am staying. I really love vegetarian food I have decided. I really need to expand my recipe volume and maybe, just maybe I could get behind vegetarianism for good. With breakfast out of the way, the Estate … Continue reading Darjeeling: Day 2, The Tea Fields
If You Are Ever in Northern Thailand: Mae Salong
If you ever find yourself in northern Thailand... Maybe you're in Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Pai, or maybe even Bangkok (you would need to fly and drive but hey its for the tea...) Visit Mae Salong. If nothing else, the drive up into the mountains is absolutely stunning. I mean it. Stunning. Do yourself a … Continue reading If You Are Ever in Northern Thailand: Mae Salong
Traveling with Tea
I have been traveling pretty much non-stop for the past year and a half. As a self-proclaimed teahead (I love that term), making sure I have the proper tools and of course leaf is a top priority. Before I left (and packed up my apartment), I emptied my cabinet of my favorite teas into my … Continue reading Traveling with Tea
A Chance Encounter at Cau Dat Tea Farm (Vietnam)
Grab a cup of tea and let’s go to Vietnam… I spent a month in Vietnam traveling from north to south. It was quite the journey and an amazing adventure. I had a friend fly in to join me for 3 of the four weeks. We were pretty constantly on the go from city to … Continue reading A Chance Encounter at Cau Dat Tea Farm (Vietnam)
Exploring Tea Fields in Kyoto at Obubu Tea Farms (Japan)
It was a few days before my 33rd birthday and I had decided that as a birthday present to myself I wanted to take a day that week to explore some of the tea fields and farms around Kyoto. I googled “tea farms Kyoto”… up popped several links for Kyoto Obubu Tea Farms. It appeared … Continue reading Exploring Tea Fields in Kyoto at Obubu Tea Farms (Japan)
The Day I Fell in Love with Gyokuro
It was my 33rd birthday. I had arrived in Kyoto, Japan just the day before. Some of the details of the day stand out more than others. However, the single detail that rings the trues in my mind, is the moment I realized what umami was and henceforth the day I fell in love with … Continue reading The Day I Fell in Love with Gyokuro
