Cville brings back memories of the twisted branch tea bazaar where I would work on my manuscript while sampling their tea - and waiting for my then gf, now wife, to finish her work. 2016 pre pandemic feels so long ago now.
https://teabazaar.com/
Introduce Yourself
https://teabazaar.com/
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JournalerMarie
- Posts: 26
- Joined: Mon Mar 22, 2021 9:47 pm
- Location: Southern California, USA
Hi everyone! I live in Southern California (USA). I made my account back in March but I have yet to post...
How long have you been drinking tea?
My tea journey had its fits and starts. I started drinking tisanes like cinnamon sticks, spearmint leaves, and chamomile when I was a teenager. Occasionally I would drink green tea teabags with honey. I considered myself a tea drinker.
I got very very lucky in college because a group of Chinese immigrants (I say 'Chinese immigrants' because, having chatted with them often, I learned that they traveled back and forth often, considered China their home, and also to give you an idea of their ability to source quality tea, compared to someone based in the USA) set up a teashop near campus. They introduced me to loose-leaf tea in general, and to one specific tea that blew my mind with its smoothness, complexity, subtle sugarless sweetness, and the light elegant hint of smokiness (like a campfire near the beach). It brought me so much comfort.
The teahouse closed before I graduated. Over the subsequent years, I would occasionally crave this tea that felt like the height of comfort and luxury to me, re-discovered that it was named "Lapsang Souchong," and kept trying to buy it again only to be disappointed every time by cupfuls that tasted like I'd scooped ash from the barbeque bit and mixed it into hot water. When the pandemic came to my notice in winter 2019-2020, I dove head-first into my quest for Lapsang Souchong. This sent me down a rabbit-hole where I found out exactly WHY quality Lapsang Souchong is now so scarce. I mourned. But then I moved on! I had found out about "gaiwans" along the way. I read articles about tea sourcing and watched many videos by Red Blossom Tea Company and Mei Leaf, and I was very motivated to find something that could replace Lapsang Souchong in my heart.
What kind of tea do you drink?
I am in love with oolongs. Taiwanese light-roast oolongs (especially creamy Jin Xuan), Gui Fei, and Dancong Oolongs. I also love unusual white teas like white purple bud tea and old arbor white tea. Also ripe pu-erh.
How do you prepare your tea?
Either my porcelain gaiwan, or my zhuni teapot from Mud&Leaves
What tea knowledge are you interested in exploring right now?
I made my account to learn more about tea vendors and yixing teapots. I bought my teapot after days/weeks reading and researching. I still find myself searching the forums here for those two topics.
What factors lead you to delve into the world of tea, and what is keeping you there?
1.Tea tastes good.
2.(see my tea memoir above).
3. In all seriousness, I absolutely love the fact that tea as a product requires love and care. You (almost) cannot make good tea by mistreating the land or the workers. I also love the calming ritual of it. I dove into tea at a time when it wasn't safe to go out or explore. Tea provided a way to go on a little adventure, right there at my tea table.
How long have you been drinking tea?
My tea journey had its fits and starts. I started drinking tisanes like cinnamon sticks, spearmint leaves, and chamomile when I was a teenager. Occasionally I would drink green tea teabags with honey. I considered myself a tea drinker.
I got very very lucky in college because a group of Chinese immigrants (I say 'Chinese immigrants' because, having chatted with them often, I learned that they traveled back and forth often, considered China their home, and also to give you an idea of their ability to source quality tea, compared to someone based in the USA) set up a teashop near campus. They introduced me to loose-leaf tea in general, and to one specific tea that blew my mind with its smoothness, complexity, subtle sugarless sweetness, and the light elegant hint of smokiness (like a campfire near the beach). It brought me so much comfort.The teahouse closed before I graduated. Over the subsequent years, I would occasionally crave this tea that felt like the height of comfort and luxury to me, re-discovered that it was named "Lapsang Souchong," and kept trying to buy it again only to be disappointed every time by cupfuls that tasted like I'd scooped ash from the barbeque bit and mixed it into hot water. When the pandemic came to my notice in winter 2019-2020, I dove head-first into my quest for Lapsang Souchong. This sent me down a rabbit-hole where I found out exactly WHY quality Lapsang Souchong is now so scarce. I mourned. But then I moved on! I had found out about "gaiwans" along the way. I read articles about tea sourcing and watched many videos by Red Blossom Tea Company and Mei Leaf, and I was very motivated to find something that could replace Lapsang Souchong in my heart.
What kind of tea do you drink?
I am in love with oolongs. Taiwanese light-roast oolongs (especially creamy Jin Xuan), Gui Fei, and Dancong Oolongs. I also love unusual white teas like white purple bud tea and old arbor white tea. Also ripe pu-erh.
How do you prepare your tea?
Either my porcelain gaiwan, or my zhuni teapot from Mud&Leaves
What tea knowledge are you interested in exploring right now?
I made my account to learn more about tea vendors and yixing teapots. I bought my teapot after days/weeks reading and researching. I still find myself searching the forums here for those two topics.
What factors lead you to delve into the world of tea, and what is keeping you there?
1.Tea tastes good.
2.(see my tea memoir above).
3. In all seriousness, I absolutely love the fact that tea as a product requires love and care. You (almost) cannot make good tea by mistreating the land or the workers. I also love the calming ritual of it. I dove into tea at a time when it wasn't safe to go out or explore. Tea provided a way to go on a little adventure, right there at my tea table.
Last edited by JournalerMarie on Sat Nov 13, 2021 6:48 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Welcome to TeaForum @JournalerMarie. There are a few of us in Southern California here, specifically greater Los Angeles area. Where are you located? We get together for tastings now and then.
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JournalerMarie
- Posts: 26
- Joined: Mon Mar 22, 2021 9:47 pm
- Location: Southern California, USA
I live in the greater Los Angeles area! I would love to know more about the get-togethers.
Will let you know next time we plan on a tasting. I’ve been away since June so not sure when the next get together will be. We have several members here at TF, some travel 1hr+ to enjoy our marathon sessions. There are a few posts under Groups, Clubs & Events like Los Angeles Tea Society Tasting 2019-08-02 and Los Angeles Tea Society. We also have a private Facebook group, but it’s pretty inactive, it’s mostly just used to make announcements.JournalerMarie wrote: ↑Sat Nov 13, 2021 7:03 pmI live in the greater Los Angeles area! I would love to know more about the get-togethers.
How long have you been drinking tea?
Three years ago
What kind of tea do you drink?
It depends on the season. When it is the dry season, I usually drink green teas, and dancongs . On the other hand, if it is a wet season, I drink puer'h, red, aged white, oolongs.
How do you prepare your tea?
I prepare tea usually on gong fu, but from time to time, I get lazy, and put the leaves into a 280 ML pot, and brew it Western style.
What tea knowledge are you interested in exploring right now?
I am into exploring Taiwanese oolongs, since I tasted Baozhongs. But before that, am into puerh
What factors lead you to delve into the world of tea, and what is keeping you there?
Many, among which is the different variety of teas.
What is your location?
Taguig, Philippines
Three years ago
What kind of tea do you drink?
It depends on the season. When it is the dry season, I usually drink green teas, and dancongs . On the other hand, if it is a wet season, I drink puer'h, red, aged white, oolongs.
How do you prepare your tea?
I prepare tea usually on gong fu, but from time to time, I get lazy, and put the leaves into a 280 ML pot, and brew it Western style.
What tea knowledge are you interested in exploring right now?
I am into exploring Taiwanese oolongs, since I tasted Baozhongs. But before that, am into puerh
What factors lead you to delve into the world of tea, and what is keeping you there?
Many, among which is the different variety of teas.
What is your location?
Taguig, Philippines
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Welcome to our forum.-
1bud2leaves
- New user
- Posts: 1
- Joined: Wed Nov 17, 2021 7:06 pm
- Location: San Jose, California
Hi all,
How long have you been drinking tea?
36 years
What kind of tea do you drink?
Black teas, green, white
How do you prepare your tea?
Loose leaf, temp & brew specific
What tea knowledge are you interested in exploring right now?
I want to learn more about cultivating tea
What factors lead you to delve into the world of tea, and what is keeping you there?
My wife is training as a tea sommelier, and I’m good at growing things so wanted to explore a marriage sorts of our two skills.
What is your location?
San Jose, California , USA (originally from Ireland)
How long have you been drinking tea?
36 years
What kind of tea do you drink?
Black teas, green, white
How do you prepare your tea?
Loose leaf, temp & brew specific
What tea knowledge are you interested in exploring right now?
I want to learn more about cultivating tea
What factors lead you to delve into the world of tea, and what is keeping you there?
My wife is training as a tea sommelier, and I’m good at growing things so wanted to explore a marriage sorts of our two skills.
What is your location?
San Jose, California , USA (originally from Ireland)
welcome!
Hello everyone! I'm Adelina and I'm definitely a tea lover!
How long have you been drinking tea?
Since I was a toddler, to be honest, but I got into 'speciality' tea about 5 years. A few years ago I decided to open a cafe (that didn't happen in the end) and that was the moment when I start reading about tea and understanding this magic world. While tea was always my drink of choice, I was mostly drinking infusions before but now I'm completely immersed in the universe of camellia sinensis.
What kind of tea do you drink? All kinds, but my favourites are the green teas (both Chinese and Japanese ones).
How do you prepare your tea? I do enjoy a gongfu session every once in a while but most of the team I have 'regular' infusions.
What tea knowledge are you interested in exploring right now? Nothing specific, but I always love to find new things tea-related.
What factors lead you to delve into the world of tea, and what is keeping you there? My taste buds? I do love good tea and it keeps me sane!
What is your location? London, UK
How long have you been drinking tea?
Since I was a toddler, to be honest, but I got into 'speciality' tea about 5 years. A few years ago I decided to open a cafe (that didn't happen in the end) and that was the moment when I start reading about tea and understanding this magic world. While tea was always my drink of choice, I was mostly drinking infusions before but now I'm completely immersed in the universe of camellia sinensis.
What kind of tea do you drink? All kinds, but my favourites are the green teas (both Chinese and Japanese ones).
How do you prepare your tea? I do enjoy a gongfu session every once in a while but most of the team I have 'regular' infusions.
What tea knowledge are you interested in exploring right now? Nothing specific, but I always love to find new things tea-related.
What factors lead you to delve into the world of tea, and what is keeping you there? My taste buds? I do love good tea and it keeps me sane!
What is your location? London, UK
Welcome to TeaForum new members. Great to have you join us here 
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JournalerMarie
- Posts: 26
- Joined: Mon Mar 22, 2021 9:47 pm
- Location: Southern California, USA
Oh the idea of tasting tea grown and produced in California sounds awesome! I don't know enough about tea-growing to know whether we have good terroir for it, but I've been day-dreaming about tea plantations in Big Bear (a Southern California mountain range, for those who may be reading).1bud2leaves wrote: ↑Wed Nov 17, 2021 7:17 pmHi all,
How long have you been drinking tea?
36 years
What kind of tea do you drink?
Black teas, green, white
How do you prepare your tea?
Loose leaf, temp & brew specific
What tea knowledge are you interested in exploring right now?
I want to learn more about cultivating tea
What factors lead you to delve into the world of tea, and what is keeping you there?
My wife is training as a tea sommelier, and I’m good at growing things so wanted to explore a marriage sorts of our two skills.
What is your location?
San Jose, California , USA (originally from Ireland)
Not Californian tea but here is a thread about Mississippi teaJournalerMarie wrote: ↑Sat Nov 20, 2021 2:14 am
Oh the idea of tasting tea grown and produced in California sounds awesome! I don't know enough about tea-growing to know whether we have good terroir for it, but I've been day-dreaming about tea plantations in Big Bear (a Southern California mountain range, for those who may be reading).
viewtopic.php?f=33&t=1514
And this company makes green tea in Hawaii
https://maunakeatea.com/
Welcome!1bud2leaves wrote: ↑Wed Nov 17, 2021 7:17 pmWhat factors lead you to delve into the world of tea, and what is keeping you there?
My wife is training as a tea sommelier, and I’m good at growing things so wanted to explore a marriage sorts of our two skills.
What is your location?
San Jose, California
Regarding growing tea in California, I've been gifted some samples of tea grown someplace in southern California by a farm that has a few plants that sounded like a hobby alongside the main crops. Some years back there were stories about Roy Fong of Imperial Tea Court in San Francisco buying land and planning larger scale production in California, but it seems like that is still years away from commercial production. I know we've had some posts here by people who have grown their own tea:
viewtopic.php?f=33&t=1577
and
viewtopic.php?f=36&t=1479