Digital Table: Tea Journey Manifesto for living the Tea Lifestyle

     The tea world has been changing so much since I started this blog. Who could have guessed that Matcha and even Puerh would become popular in the health field? Consumers are only being told very few health possibilities, which leaves them extream expectations of the beverage. And even worse, not knowing how to prepare it or a bite of the historical/cultural significance. This change is worrying. Information is being diluted through the noise of online and shared to the extreme. For those of us, such as myself, who strive to honor the tradition, history, and culture of the beverage it causes anxiety.

     I work within the health and wellness field currently, and tea slowly has turned to its original roots as medicine. It gives a small glimmer of hope but still, there is more to learn. We each need to do our part to help turn the tides and direct those around us to the information they need, as a community. This is why I sought out to create a Manifesto. 

    No matter what stage you are at with tea this manifesto is for you. My intention and hopes are that it will guide you. Not only with tea but in life itself. Unlike other manifestos out there, this one was intentionally made imperfect. I am not a perfect person so why should this be any different.

Even still it was created from the soul with a cup of tea in hand (Nomigoro Gyokuro from Maiko Tea to be exact). Tea is life which is a lifestyle in itself. We add it to our lives for health, curiosity, or even for spiritual reasons. And our lives change with the addition of it. That, in a nutshell, is your Tea Journey. It starts with picking up or tasting tea for the first time. And you continue to discover something not only new about tea but yourself and the world around you.

 

    I hope you will take this manifesto and hang it somewhere to remind yourself about your roots, or if you are just beginning to give yourself that reminder down the road. We all start at the beginning and continue on. We need to also return to that origin or beginning to progress further. That is what is taught in Japanese Tea Ceremony, and my hope is that you will apply it in your life right now (I also have a post on this topic coming out in March). 

Grab the Tea Journey Manifesto 

 Mine now hangs right next to my desk, very close to where I keep my tea set up while at my desk. Where will you keep yours?

Digital Table: Global Tea Hut May 2015

 Welcome to the Digital Table where you are part of a global conversation with tea. Global Tea Hut is a Non-Profit Organization that sends out a sampling of tea, a gift and a special magazine. Everything is brought together by the community to spread the love of tea, Dao and Zen. Join us the last week of every month to discuss the current packet from Global Tea Hut.

      This series was created because the message from Global Tea Hut touched me. It is of my own creation and I receive nothing from them ,but good karma of spreading their message and cause . All past posts can be found under "Digital Table" here

Spring 2011 Wild Purple Tea De Hong, Yunnan

This months packet came with a tea created from an older tree picked by De'Ang Women, an aboriginal group in De Hong. This varietal has been around the market for few years now and has gained some popularity. If you are new to it , purple tea is created from tea leaves that are purple in colour, which occurs from a mutation in the plant itself. It has been mainly made into Pu-erh tea but there are some oolongs out there.
   This tea is a lovely Sheng Pu-erh with a refreshingly sweet aroma from the dry leaf. It gives a smooth soothing feeling in the body. It is suggested as a meditative tea which it truly is suitable for. The taste is like drinking tea in nature. I am describing it this way as it is the best way to do it. It is very much a  living tea picked in its natural surroundings as any plant should be.

Kettle In the off-hand by Wu De

Have you ever tried a day using both hands with everything you do? If you haven't then I highly suggest you try it out. By balancing the way you do things with both your hands, you will see how we rely on one hand for most things we do (unless you are blessed with being ambidextrous, in which case I am jealous of your gift).
   When you apply this idea to your tea brewing it helps your session flow. The first thing that you can change is by handling your kettle in your off hand. When you do this it allows your dominant hand to be free to help with the pot lid or lid of a gaiwan. This protects your tea ware when you balance how you brew during your tea session. You will no longer have to worry about knocking over teaware during your sessions (I have been close a few times before I made the change). Test it out and you will love how smooth your tea session becomes with practice over time.

Gift: Photograph of Global Tea Hut's Main Hall Altar

   This months gift touched me, I went the extra mile to laminate it to keep it safe. Seeing the altar which resides at Global Tea Huts Main Hall reminded me of my spiritual practice with tea and the desire to create my own space for such practice in my own home down the road.
   After laminating it I placed the photo in my planner so it is always with me. A reminder of why I continue to write for Tea Journey and the spiritual practice I have with the leaf. In its new home in my Spirituality Journal section in my planner I am reminded each time of why I am on this path when I write a new entry. It is my goal to visit the center in the near future to deepen my practice along side fellow Tea Brothers and Sisters, a moment I can not wait for.

Global Tea Hut is a digital community where tea drinkers enjoy the same tea(s) every month across the world. It is subscription based where all the proceeds go towards a non-profit tea center (Tea Sage Hut) in Taiwan that is open to all. For more information on Global Tea Hut and the center please visit them at:

Global Tea Hut

Tea Sage Hut

**All opinions are my own and subscription is paid by me, as a donation to the tea center

What thoughts and/or feelings come up for you when looking at this months gift? Share in the comments below.

Digital Table: Global Tea Hut April 2015

Welcome to the Digital Table where you are part of a global conversation with tea. Global Tea Hut is a Non-Profit Organization that sends out a sampling of tea, a gift and a special magazine. Everything is brought together by the community to spread the love of tea, Dao and Zen. Join us to discuss the current packet from Global Tea Hut.
  This series was created because the message from Global Tea Hut touched me. It is of my own creation and I receive nothing from them ,but good karma of spreading their message and cause . All past posts can be found under "Digital Table" here

Autumn 2014 "Temple Mist" Green Tea  Wu Liang, Yunnan

    After a little hiatus Digital Table is back with a new set up, let's jump into this packets tea! This time around Global Tea Hut sent the most lovely green tea I have had in a while. It just begged to be brewed but I let the tea rest for two weeks so it could get over its "jet-lag". This lets it get accustomed to its new home and the altitude change.
     After the enough time passed it was finally the wait was over, it was time to brew. The curly leaves offered a light yellow-green liquor with a refreshing minty touch. The smooth vegetal taste had a note that reminded me of cooked broccoli. This tea was relaxing and perfect for a late evening tea before bed or after a morning meditation (or yoga session).

Circle Towards the center by Wu De

 Fluidity while brewing can be a struggle for anyone. As part of the second installment (we are going to revisit the others over the summer) of the five basics of tea brewing series. In the series Wu De covers the 5 pillars of tea brewing are applicable to all tea practices and methods. Wu de mentions that they are the foundation to build on for most practices but bowl tea they are all you need to know.
    Going back to this issues installment, "circle towards the center". This brewing basic seems so simple in writing but it takes a little hand-eye coordination and prior practice.  This brewing tip can be broken down to two motions. First "all movements of the left hand are clock wise and" second,  "all movements of the right hand are counter-clock wise".
  Think of it like the Karate kid who used one hand to "wax on" and "wax off", going in the same pattern as this tip. The reason for using this method is to ensure nothing gets knocked over and so you can have a smooth tea session.
   Everything you have placed on the left side of your tea space will only be held by your left hand. Which the movement flows towards yourself in a clock-wise motion. Then everything on the right side will only be held by your right hand with a movement that flows in a counter-clock wise motion.
   Try this out with objects that are unbreakable to practice this movement. That way if you need more practice or something slips your favorite pot is safe.

Gift: Gaba Baba Chocolate with BABA Tea

 This months gift was this lovely chocolate (which I ate most of before taking photos). I'll admit I was unsure what I was going to get myself into when I noticed that turmeric was an ingredient. After getting over my prior thoughts, I tried it. The turmeric was subtle within the chocolate. Overall the chocolate was just what I needed to sweeten up the end of my day.

Global Tea Hut is a digital community where tea drinkers enjoy the same tea(s) every month across the world. It is subscription based where all the proceeds go towards a non-profit tea center (Tea Sage Hut) in Taiwan that is open to all. For more information on Global Tea Hut and the center please visit them at:

Global Tea Hut

Tea Sage Hut

**All opinions are my own and subscription is paid by me, as a donation to the tea center

Digital Table: Global Tea Hut December 2014 + January 2015

 Welcome to the Digital Table where you are part of a global conversation with tea. Global Tea Hut is a Non-Profit Organization that sends out a sampling of tea, a gift and a special magazine. Everything is brought together by the community to spread the love of tea, Dao and Zen. Join us the last week of every month to discuss the current packet from Global Tea Hut.

      This series was created because the message from Global Tea Hut touched me. It is of my own creation and I receive nothing from them ,but good karma of spreading their message and cause . All past posts can be found under "Digital Table" here

December 2014 

 Spring 2007 "Old Man Camphor" Shou Puerh from Lincang, Yunnan

  This tea was a just what I needed when  I was sick a few weeks ago. It gave me a little energy and also casted a calmness over my body. Old Man Camphor smelt very similar to wet forest, earthy and rich. The liquor brewed thick with a sweetness at the end. I noticed a taste of baked cookies that came in before the taste of cooked fruit. Each infusion washed a warmth over you with each sip.

     It was like a big hug from the Global Tea Hut Community . A togetherness that is very similar to the lovely holiday card and photo of Global Tea Hut members. The together they invoked the spirit of the season, family.

January 2015 

 Winter 2014 "Buddha's Palm" Oolong from Pingling, Taiwan

    Who doesn't love a roasted oolong on a cold night? They just warm you right up and that is exactly what this tea did. Buddha's Palm is a lightly roasted rolled oolong that just begged to be steeped. When steeped had delicious smell of dried fruit, perhaps raisins.  The taste reminded me of cooked apple crumble. It just coated the mouth just right.

"With Slow, Gentle Graceful Movements" by Wu De

 December's issue continued the discussion of a poem on essence of Gongfu tea. This month we are touching on "slow, gentle graceful movements". This line refers to the elegance that comes from being awareness of every move you make as you brew. Wu De suggests we "connect to you tea practice at every stage of the process". We do this by being present and being in the practice of connecting to your tools. 

    To boil it down even further, you need to have a complete awareness (like being aware of your body in yoga) as you brew. Slow down, take your time and make each movement with your full concentration. Focus on each specific task as it arises: when you are rinsing the leaves, boiling water, cleaning etc. Do each task with focus and love.

"Changing Lives with a Kettle & Some Bowls" by Sam Gibb

   January's issue touched me with Sam's article about sharing tea with children. I have always believed that they are our future and should be taught things to make it better. Meditation is just one of those things, and Sam took it up a notch with some tea (why not?). Sharing tea to teach and foster meditation, is an easier manner for those not used to it. It is perfect method to use with kids and teaching anything is always rewarding (even more so with children).
    It all started with camping retreats where Sam early in the morning held his morning ritual of tea and meditation. He was soon surprised with a few kids (and more each day) who joined him. After they all returned back to school some students wanted to continue having tea. This is where Tea Club started.
  Sam stated that his reason for teaching them meditation is that: "society is moving away from stillness and true connection, instead we are all looking at our phones".  With his teaching his students began to notice nature around them and even started to have tea at home.
  A few of the students wrote about what tea ment for them Amelia wrote a powerful line in hers "Tea for me is a safe, peaceful place".  For me this shows how important skills such as meditation and tea should be taught at an earlier age. That way we may reach a day where there is more respect and harmony amongst the world. Which may very well lead to peace.

Global Tea Hut is a digital community where tea drinkers enjoy the same tea(s) every month across the world. It is subscription based where all the proceeds go towards a non-profit tea center (Tea Sage Hut) in Taiwan that is open to all. For more information on Global Tea Hut and the center please visit them at:

Global Tea Hut

Tea Sage Hut

**All opinions are my own and subscription is paid by me, as a donation to the tea center

Digital Table: Global Tea Hut November

 Welcome to the Digital Table where you are part of a global conversation with tea. Global Tea Hut is a Non-Profit Organization that sends out a sampling of tea, a gift and a special magazine. Everything is brought together by the community to spread the love of tea, Dao and Zen. Join us the last Wednesday of every month to discuss the current packet from Global Tea Hut.

      This series was created because the message from Global Tea Hut touched me. It is of my own creation and I receive nothing from them ,but good karma of spreading their message and cause . All past posts can be found under "Digital Table" here.

 Ran a little late with this post ( technical difficulties mostly) but there was a lot to share with you regarding this months tea! It's well worth the wait and I am eager to have another cup. So let's put this show on the road!
  This months tea blew me away.... and also had me reaching for a good book.  It has a body that reminded me of the "Champagne" like body of a Bai Hao Oolong (Oriental Beauty) with that touch of aroma fruity. The name "Peaceful Slumber" or "An Mian"suits it very well . This tea is grown in Pingling in Northern Taiwan and it relaxes every part of your body with each sip.

  It is a great tea, but what is up with the GABA?   This one is semi-oxidized as it is from taiwan but in Japan they make a less-oxidized version. Global Tea hut made the suggestion that it perhaps deserves its own category much like pu-er because of  its unique qualities . I totally agree with them after  investigating more into GABA or Gamma Amino Butyric Acid.

It exists naturally within our bodies. It is part of our nervous system where it prevents over-excitement of the system itself.  It has been documented that when there is a low level in the body it can lead to disorders in the same area of the body.  It was discovered in Japan about twenty to twenty five years ago. Soon after it was brought to Taiwan, where it is slow to gain notice with the locals.The thing is that its true categorization is hard to make. The same tea originally from Japan is made differently than it is in Taiwan, but the for the latter version Oolong varieties are used and the processing makes the tea look closer to red tea.

GABA Tea is always organically grown and that it because the amount of GABA decreases if it is grown any other way. This tea is seed grown and are given plenty of space to grow in.  This is where nature is allowed to do its thing. There is a deep respect for nature between the farmer and the trees themselves. 

  With its deep connection to nature, it is a perfect tea for meditation.  Just like what is suggested in "And Begin to Absorb Peace" article.  During older times, as the kettle slowly reached a boil, that time was used for this practice. Very similar to the moment that a host would take before starting to clean their tools in Japanese  Tea Ceremony.  It really sets the tone for any tea session and you can still do it with an electric kettle, but it is best done the old fashioned way (read  that as fun way).

This article really got me itching to get out my tetsubin, Of course I would do it only while the rest of the family is at work. How about you? Are you eager to try this centering practice before your next tea session? Let me know in the comments below (or hey send me a tweet if that works for you).
 Till next time, keep on steeping and Happy Thanksgiving to all my friends.
Cheers!

Global Tea Hut is a digital community where tea drinkers enjoy the same tea(s) every month across the world. It is subscription based where all the proceeds go towards a non-profit tea center (Tea Sage Hut) in Taiwan that is open to all. For more information on Global Tea Hut and the center please visit them at:

Global Tea Hut

Tea Sage Hut

**All opinions are my own and subscription is paid by me, as a donation to the tea center

Digital Table: Global Tea Hut October

 Welcome to the Digital Table where you are part of a global conversation with tea. Global Tea Hut is a Non-Profit Organization that sends out a sampling of tea, a gift and a special magazine. Everything is brought together by the community to spread the love of tea, Dao and Zen. Join us the last Wednesday of every month to discuss the current packet from Global Tea Hut.

      This series was created because the message from Global Tea Hut touched me. It is of my own creation and I receive nothing from them ,but good karma of spreading their message and cause . All past posts can be found under "Digital Table" here.

 My apologies for the late post, I have been a bit under the weather but I wanted to get this post up for you so lets get started! This months packet was greatly appreciated. The tea for this month was a Summer 2014 Red Tea from Sun Moon Lake called " Elevation" by the center. it was delightfully smooth with some fruity notes. This was not the first time receiving a tea from Sun Moon Lake, so it was a nice treat considering I ran out.
    The magazine that came with it was focused on Qi Cultivation and was very informational. Qi, or the bodys internal energies has been an interest to me since I began my tea studies early 2009. The article titled "The Three Treasures" by Andrew Taylor was very enlightening. Andrew taught about  about these three : Jing (Essence) , Qi (Vital Energy) and Shen (Spirit Mind).



 They sound like they are not connected but they are. Each one is within the body and can be "nourished" through different means, but first lets go over what each one is. Jing is referred to as the basis of the human body meaning blood and fluids. Qi is the life force of living things that are around us. Shen is connected to the mind especially when it comes to spirituality, creativity, the unconscious and even the divine. To nourish the energy of each consist of meditation (or yoga or even qigong), healthy in-season diet, breathing exercises (can be even done though meditation),and tea.  Each is very simple and who does not want a good tea session?
   There is so much information in this issue that I may share more latter on about Qi as it is a great topic. It is actually a big reason why I just adore getting a new packet every month from Global Tea Hut as it is also focused on tea, zen and dao. But all at the same time.

Global Tea Hut is a digital community where tea drinkers enjoy the same tea(s) every month across the world. It is subscription based where all the proceeds go towards a non-profit tea center (Tea Sage Hut) in Taiwan that is open to all. For more information on Global Tea Hut and the center please visit them at:

Global Tea Hut

Tea Sage Hut

**All opinions are my own and subscription is paid by me, as a donation to the tea center

Digital Table: Global Tea Hut September

  Welcome to the Digital Table where you are part of a global conversation with tea. Global Tea Hut is a Non-Profit Organization that sends out a sampling of tea, a gift and a special magazine. Everything is brought together by the community to spread the love of tea, Dao and Zen. Join us the last Wednesday of every month to discuss the current packet from Global Tea Hut.

      This series was created because the message from Global Tea Hut touched me. It is of my own creation and I receive nothing from them ,but good karma of spreading their message and cause . All past posts can be found under "Digital Table" here.

 This months package blew me away! Not only was the issue larger and packed full of information, but this months tea was an old friend. Bing Dao, also known as Ice Island or "King of the Forest". I tried this tea for the first time around this time last year at Tao Tea Leaf. It was like a long lost friend coming to visit after many years apart.
    When trying this tea again after almost a year, it still had a minty side to it on the tongue. The favour is hard to place but it reminds me of a spring that ran into the creek near my Grandfathers home. It had slight earthy notes but also "tasted" of nature.
 

 On to this months magazine which is packed full of information on Puerh and other goodies. I quite enjoyed learning more about this type of tea , especially the different eras associated. Although I must say I was glad that Wu De included another article stressing the importance of the brewer.
   As I said last week, the condition your mind is in will effect your tea. Wu De took it even further in is article, "The Center of a Tea Session". He used a calligraphy analogy to further  this idea

 ...the student asked the master how to paint the perfect scroll of calligraphy, to which the master responded, "perfect yourself and paint naturally!".

This line shows that your internal self is just as important as how much you practice brewing.  Wu De even suggested that even how you treat people and what you eat can effect the brew. It would be very interesting to try a new diet and see how it effects your tea brewing (because Tea Journey readers are kind and are true to their truth). 

Global Tea Hut is a digital community where tea drinkers enjoy the same tea(s) every month across the world. It is subscription based where all the proceeds go towards a non-profit tea center (Tea Sage Hut) in Taiwan that is open to all. For more information on Global Tea Hut and the center please visit them at:

Global Tea Hut

Tea Sage Hut

**All opinions are my own and subscription is paid by me, as a donation to the tea center

Digital Table: Global Tea Hut August

  Welcome to the Digital Table where you are part of a global conversation with tea. Global Tea Hut is a Non-Profit Organization that sends out a sampling of tea, a gift and a special magazine. Everything is brought together by the community to spread thelove of tea, Dao and Zen. Join us the last Wednesday of every month to discuss the current packet from Global Tea Hut.

   This series was created because the message from Global Tea Hut touched me. It is of my own creation and I receive nothing from them ,but good karma of spreading their message and cause . All past posts can be found under "Digital Table" here.

  Summer has been flying by! Thankfully with this months tea I kept cool. It was such a treat to receive this oolong as I found it cooled me off (How about you?). This months tea is the Spring 2014 Kingfisher Jade(Tsui Yu) Ooolong from Ming Jian, Taiwan. This tea is very special! It is one of the three daughters are the most famous varietals that were created around the 1970's for Taiwan. Who would have known this if it were not for Global Tea Hut! The tree teas are unique to taiwan, no where else can you get these three.

      Which teas are the "Three Daughters"? They are Golden Lilly (Jing Shuan), Kingsfisher Jade (Tsui Yu) and Four Seasons Spring (Si Ji Chun). As King fisher Jade had the same cooling effect as Four Seasons, I am going to guess that Golden Lilly is similar ( I can't wait for them to send it out).  

     Going back to this months tea, King Fisher Jade, it had a lovely cooling effect on the body. With its smooth taste and floral hints it was just right for unwinding at the end of the day. The flavours of the tea came out very clear when I used the gift that was sent with it. Chinese "Medicine Stones", they are put in your water container/kettle to soften, purify and remineralize the Water. Truly the perfect addition For any tea lover. 

 My favourite article is part of the "Eight Bowls" series :The Eight Bowls: Study, Contemplation and Prayer by Shane Marrs. It was just what I needed at that moment. A little reminder of what I have learned through Japanese Tea Ceremony.
    Its little lessons that get taught that are really lessons of life and zen. Through tea we should practice humility, gratitude, forgiveness, and  loving-kindness. Mastery of tea is the mastery of the self, strangely very similar to yoga (okay its self- acceptance but it is close to me). The brewer's heart is the most important part of tea as it becomes infused into our brew.

      During Japanese Tea Ceremony these key points are the foundations of which you learn. We express humility when we enter the tea room through a low bow. gratitude when we lift or tea bowl in thanks. Every action is a respectful loving action for not only guests but ourselves. Forgiveness when the host forgets the next step or head guest forgets their line (or we forget to slurp at the end). 

   These points mirror in life as well. Especially as we grow up, I turned 27 this year and have found these in many situations. Such as: 

Humility- Admitting to the type of person I was in the past and apologizing to those I hurt

Forgiveness- While I hope others will forgive my past, I am also ready to forgive Theirs.

Gratitude- When a friend pays for dinner or a snack. They always get a thank you and a huge hug! (and I re-pay them latter)

Loving-Kindness - Being there for a friend when they need someone to talk to

    While we hope we all are doing each of these every day though, there are times where we forget. The important thing to do is try our best and hope that we receive it in return.  Practice them in daily life and they will come through in your tea.

Global Tea Hut is a digital community where tea drinkers enjoy the same tea(s) every month across the world. It is subscription based where all the proceeds go towards a non-profit tea center (Tea Sage Hut) in Taiwan that is open to all. For more information on Global Tea Hut and the center please visit them at:

Global Tea Hut

Tea Sage Hut

**All opinions are my own and subscription is paid by me, as a donation to the tea center

Digital Table: Global Tea Hut July

  Welcome to the Digital Table where you are part of a global conversation with tea. Global Tea Hut is a Non-Profit Organization that sends out a sampling of tea, a gift and a special magazine. Everything is brought together by the community to spread the love of tea, Dao and Zen. Join us the last Wednesday of every month to discuss the current packet from Global Tea Hut.

   This series was created because the message from Global Tea Hut touched me. It is of my own creation and I receive nothing from them ,but good karma of spreading their message and cause . All past posts can be found under "Digital Table" here.

  This months tea came with a little story in which the members of Global Tea Hut all had a hand in. While the leaves themselves may not have been picked by them (it takes a long time to have the speed and precision to pink tea). They were processed by them, from start to finish!
   The end result was a lovely Red Tea that they created on their visit to Yunnan. "Daughter of the Forest" or Qian Jia Zhai 2014 , made completely with leaves from a wild tree that is well over 200 - 700 years old in Ai Lao, Yunnan.
   Each member created their own batch and every one was put together at the end. You might be asking "why would they do this?". The reason is that as they made their own batch they infused the tea with their energy at every stage, then when they mixed them together every ones energy became one.  When drinking the tea you can feel the good intentions coming through because of this extra step.
       "Daughter of the Forest" tasted smooth, with cooked fruit taste and a light baked bread like flavor (it reminded me of baked bread, the "proper" term would be brisk). The energy was definitely there as instantly it calmed every nerve and muscle in my body. My family had gone through a very stressful ordeal (water damage and a little drama, more on this latter), so having a cup of this truly helped me realize that the stress will pass. Basically I had begun to meditate with the tea.

 Which brings me to my favorite article in the magazine "Eight Bowls: A Meditative Mind" by Shane Marrs. Here Shane explains how both tea and water respond to human emotions. They "suck it up" and it comes through when we make our tea. For example, if you have ever had tea made by someone who is having a truly bad day, that tea will have a differnt taste than from someone who is having a fantastic day. A better example would be the difference between tea from a tea ceremony to tea quickly made at home. They are night and day!
     A great explanation is this zen quote, " If I'm not mindful then it isn't tea that we're drinking,, but rather my afflictions and delusions".  For me this line explains that is important to focus on one thing at a time, in this case tea. If tea is not the focus then are you really "tasting" the truth of the tea itself?

Global Tea Hut is a digital community where tea drinkers enjoy the same tea(s) every month across the world. It is subscription based where all the proceeds go towards a non-profit tea center (Tea Sage Hut) in Taiwan that is open to all. For more information on Global Tea Hut and the center please visit them at:

Global Tea Hut

Tea Sage Hut

**All opinions are my own and subscription is paid by me, as a donation to the tea center

Digital Table: Global Tea Hut June

    Welcome to the Digital Table where you are part of a global conversation with tea. Global Tea Hut is a Non-Profit Organization that sends out a sampling of tea, a gift and a special magazine. Everything is brought together by the community to spread the love of tea, Dao and Zen. Join us the last Wednesday of every month to discuss the current packet from Global Tea Hut.
   This series was created because the message from Global Tea Hut touched me. It is of my own creation and I receive nothing from them ,but good karma of spreading their message and cause . All past posts can be found under "Digital Table" here.

This Month Global Tea Hut sent out a Second Tea As This Months Gift. What a surprise! It was very neat to discover that both teas are from the same garden. Then processed as two different teas. This months tea are an Oolong and Red Honey Fragrance Mi Xiang Spring 2014. They are from Ming Jian, Taiwan. Each one had its own distinct coloring to them from their processing. The Oolong being the greenest and the Red tea being, well reddest.
   Both teas had their own unique flavor, but similar mouth feel. The red tea was warm, earthy and slightly biscuitty (reminding me of freshly baked bread). The Oolong was a little flowery with a touch of some kind of fruit. While both teas tasted differently, they both made me feel relaxed and centered. The Oolong made my muscles relax, and melted away anything that was troubling me. My mouth was left with the lingering taste of the tea and watering at the thought of having more.

Favorite Article  

  I tried the teas before I had the chance to read any articles. The one that stood out the most this month was "A Movement Towards Sensitivity" by Wu De.  He reminded us how tea tasting can be both objective and subjective. At tea tastings it is common that there is a "standard" taste profile and then the personal profile. It is very often that the standard either becomes our own or part of it. We focus so much on finding and defining the tastes by comparing to other things like mushrooms or cinnamon.
   The following line is an excellent reminder of what we are forgetting when we stick to this model:

 Lu Yu says that you never discern the quality of tea by "merely contemplating its flavor or sniffing its aroma".

 I understand that speaking about this article contradicts my earlier "analysis" of this months tea but I know there are many of us out there that feel the need for these descriptors. Wu De suggests though to add a new dimension to the tasting, mouth feel. How does the tea interact with our mouth? Body? I made sure to include this in my own notes as I agree with Wu De that it can " create a huge leap in your ability to appreciate tea". I personally suggest focusing on this feeling first before breaking down and searching for connections in the taste/aroma. Make tea the key player in your tea time.

Focus on only tea

It has been a while since I have had tea outside so after packing up it was time to head out. It was a little noisy around the creek but after a little hunting (and practicing yoga ocassinally) Matt and I found some quiet. We quietly shared a few bowls of tea together of each kind. 

When it came to documenting the moment for Tea Journey I was very glad for my yoga practice. I was able to block out the noise of the camera, turn inward and focus on the teas. Every peice of my chaxi helped acheive this. 

Keeping it simple I was able to ensure the tea session was more of a meditation than tea tasting. I did not take notes on the teas till much latter. Keeping the focus on the teas I was able to feel it within me and learn more from the tea. Bowl tea is perfect for this. Everything is by touch and eye. No measuring by using a digital scale, no slurping, etc. Everything was simple and focused on the experience.

Having tea outdoors in this method makes it seem like a Japanese Tea Ceremony. The Japanese Tea Room is a special place where one focuses on their practice, slowly opening up and letting the spirit of tea inside them. The same idea is what I brought with me this day. There is no judgement. Only me and tea. 

Global Tea Hut is a digital community where tea drinkers enjoy the same tea(s) every month across the world. It is subscription based where all the proceeds go towards a non-profit tea center (Tea Sage Hut) in Taiwan that is open to all. For more information on Global Tea Hut and the center please visit them at:

Global Tea Hut

Tea Sage Hut

**All opinions are my own and subscription is paid by me, as a donation to the tea center

Digital Table: Global Tea Hut May

    Welcome to the Digital Table where you are part of a global conversation with tea. Global Tea Hut is a Non-Profit Organization that sends out a sampling of tea, a gift and a special magazine. Everything is brought together by the community to spread the love of tea, Dao and Zen. Join us the last Wednesday of every month to discuss the current packet from Global Tea Hut.
   This series was created because the message from Global Tea Hut touched me. It is of my own creation and I receive nothing from them ,but good karma of spreading their message and cause . All past posts can be found under "Digital Table" here.

Global Tea Hut has been a regular part of each month since its beginning. It brings people together across the globe under one "roof" over tea and Dao. With the magazines full colour spreads and hand selected tea, it is a blessing. I invite you to join me at the end of every month to join together with Global Tea Hut. Together we will talk at our digital table and sip the tea together!

      

       This months tea is "Dian Hong" but creatively named "Golden Vajra (Jing Gang Chu) by Global Tea Hut. It is a delightful Autumn Wild Red Tea From 2013. From the article on this tea I felt blessed to know that the plant that this is from was propagated from seed, not a cutting. While sipping away and reading these words it really made me appreciate the extra works that went into this tea. It felt more earthy and alive.
      The tea itself started out smooth and had a light tonic taste, with a hint of lemon. There is no need to add milk to this tea (unless that is your thing),try it as it is and you are in for a special surprise.
           Two articles really stood out for me this month. Water for Tea by Nick Hudis and Tea with Angels by Wu De. Both gave me the feeling that I was with them either traveling to fetch the weeks tea water or learning more about where they travel. Nick took me on a unique trip through Britain to a hidden gem for tea water. It made me want to search harder for my own gem in my area (keeping my fingers crossed).  While Wu De reminded me how tea is not just a beverage but something that cultivates a life with it. Being a tea person for over 6 years (four years online) really helped me develop as a person.  When I first began Tea Journey I was quite a tea snob. I learned about things that I was not yet ready for, like the energy of tea (qi) and things that changed me patience. 

  

           Tea Journey is heading in a new direction according to my ever evolving values and views on tea. Like Wu De its something to go right into, its hard to write about and must be respected.  My tea practice turned into a lifestyle last year and is ever changing, growing.  To make it deeper I have taken up Yoga to better understand myself , and my tea practice.  I feel that by learning more about myself I will be able to move around the  tea room.
     Most of all I feel that tea must inspire this direction. If I were to send myself to the world tea expo, what would I really learn? It would all be just information, my body and soul would not learn the truth from the leaves at all. What I do know right now, is my tea tells me to slow down and take my time. Use my patience to my advantage  and to make my choices wisely. What ever he future holds for me or Tea Journey only the universe knows, but I will continue to press on and do what feels right.  
     For this months tea I first had it in  a pot, but after I felt the need to have it in a bowl. As all my tea ware is packed up I am working with what I have and what feels right. Simple , clean and pure. Just me, water and leaves. Next week I will be in Montreal so who knows if I will come back with something to help while I am in this transition period. Only the universe knows.
             

Global Tea Hut is a digital community where tea drinkers enjoy the same tea(s) every month across the world. It is subscription based where all the proceeds go towards a non-profit tea center (Tea Sage Hut) in Taiwan that is open to all. For more information on Global Tea Hut and the center please visit them at:

Global Tea Hut

Tea Sage Hut

**All opinions are my own and subscription is paid by me, as a donation to the tea center