Tag Archives: brewing

China Sourcing Trip 2012 Day One

Published on October 27th, 2012 by David Duckler

After our 40+ hour journey across the globe from the unmarked ‘hidden’ international terminal of LAX to the spacious lounges and futuristic amenities of Incheon airport, it was a wonderful thing to be met in Qingdao by our friend Weiwei. … Continue reading →

Published in: China Trip
Filed under: brewing, business ethics, buying tea, green tea, hospitality, humility, iron goddess of mercy, Laoshan, oolong tea, pu'er tea, Sheng Pu'er, Shu Pu'er, tasting tea, tieguanyin, Wang Yanxin, Weiwei
18 Comments

Podcast #5: Basic Tea Information

Published on August 17th, 2012 by David Duckler

In this podcast guest star Eva Duckler interviews David, asking about the basics of tea. How does tea grow? What is in tea? How much caffeine does tea have? What is the difference between tea and herbal tea blends, etc. … Continue reading →

Published in: Podcasts
Filed under: black tea, brewing, Laoshan, organic, tasting tea, tea and the seasons, tea basics
1 Comment

The History, Practical Tips & Health Benefits of Green Tea

Published on August 8th, 2012 by David Duckler

Green tea might seem like a new trend, encouraged by medical professionals, news reports and journals for its health benefits, but in fact, green tea is older and more traditional for both China and the west than black tea. Only … Continue reading →

Published in: How To, Legends, Tea Culture
Filed under: brewing, buying tea, green tea, Laoshan, Lu Yu, tea history and legends, yunnan
4 Comments

Podcast #4: Just How Cool Is Tea?

Published on August 3rd, 2012 by David Duckler

Guest star and high school investigative journalist Eva Duckler interviews her brother David, the founder of Verdant Tea. Topics of discusion include the ‘cool’ factor of tea, how to make tea on the go, and having tasting parties with friends. … Continue reading →

Published in: Podcasts
Filed under: brewing, buying tea, tasting tea, tea basics, tea ceremony
5 Comments

An Open Letter in Defense of the Tea Budget

Published on July 11th, 2012 by David Duckler

Dear Spouse / Self / Significant Other that pays the bills, I know that the rent check is due, that the utilities have to be taken care of. I know we are saving up to replace the junker car and … Continue reading →

Published in: Tea Culture
Filed under: brewing, buying tea, hospitality, pu'er tea, Pu-erh Tea, tea tasting
14 Comments

Confessions of an Yixing Addict

Published on July 2nd, 2012 by David Duckler

It’s true- yixing addiction is real, and it is affecting tea lovers near you. I am a confessed yixing addict, with no plans for rehabilitation in the near future. Maybe it’s the yixing speaking, but not only has yixing addiction … Continue reading →

Published in: How To, Tea Culture
Filed under: appreciating beauty, art object, big red robe, brewing, gaiwan, tea accessory, yixing
11 Comments

Verdant Tea on Ice

Published on June 22nd, 2012 by Geoffrey

The following article was written by guest author, Geoffrey Reiff, Business Development Manager at Verdant Tea. Yesterday, David and I spent six hours preparing a total of twenty offerings from the Verdant collection and Alchemy line as iced tea. That … Continue reading →

Published in: How To
Filed under: brewing, iced tea, tasting tea, tea and water
10 Comments

Making Concentrated Tea for Summer Drinks

Published on June 15th, 2012 by David Duckler

How to make a concentrated tea shot: Using a two to three ounce cup, add three teaspoons of tea, and fill with 175 degree water, steeping for 2-3 minutes. For green teas, use 160 degree water and steep for 2-3 … Continue reading →

Published in: How To
Filed under: brewing, iced tea, Pu-erh Tea, tea blends
4 Comments

Temperature and Taste

Published on June 6th, 2012 by David Duckler

Have you ever made a cup of wonderful tea, had a sip and then forgotten about the cup until later? When you come back and try it at room temperature, it tastes completely different than it did hot. It seems … Continue reading →

Published in: How To, Tea Culture
Filed under: brewing, iced tea, iron goddess of mercy, tasting tea, tieguanyin
10 Comments

Rebelling Against the Tyranny of Flavor

Published on May 17th, 2012 by David Duckler

Think of your favorite piece of music in the whole world; one that drives you close to tears, inspires you to jump for joy. Now imagine that piece of music stripped down to a 1998 cell phone MIDI tone ringer. … Continue reading →

Published in: Tea Culture
Filed under: brewing, tasting tea, tea and water, tea basics
12 Comments

What is Unflavored Tea Anyway?

Published on April 26th, 2012 by David Duckler

In the world of high-end teas there is a definite bias towards “pure” unflavored tea, and for many good reasons. The complexity of fine tea evokes a whole spectrum of tastes on its own. Tasting them is a more quiet … Continue reading →

Published in: Tea Culture
Filed under: brewing, Dragonwell, iron goddess of mercy, Laoshan, Lu Yu, oolong tea, pu'er tea, single origin, tasting tea, tea and water, tieguanyin
2 Comments

Tea Ceremony

Published on April 20th, 2012 by David Duckler

Practically every village in China has its own school of tea ceremony. Even within a village, everybody adds a bit of personal flair, reinventing the process to fit their style and their priorities in sharing tea. Yet, across China, there … Continue reading →

Published in: Tea Culture
Filed under: art object, brewing, hospitality, tea accessory, tea ceremony, tea rituals, white tea
10 Comments

How to Taste Tea

Published on April 11th, 2012 by David Duckler

A tea leaf is an amazing thing- it is the realization of so many different factors. First, there is the environment: how clean is a growing region? How much rainfall did the tea receive? What season was it picked in? … Continue reading →

Published in: How To, Tea Culture
Filed under: appreciating beauty, brewing, tasting tea, tea and water, yixing
12 Comments

Wang Yanxin

Published on March 28th, 2012 by David Duckler

My first exposure to tea in a serious way was under the training of Wang Huiming, a master Tieguanyin taster and gongfu ceremony practitioner from Xiamen. She taught me almost all I know about tea as hospitality, the act of … Continue reading →

Published in: Profiles, Tea Industry
Filed under: brewing, buying tea, Pu-erh Tea, Wang Yanxin, yunnan
10 Comments

Wang Huimin Style Gaiwan Brewing

Published on March 7th, 2012 by David Duckler

Works Best With: Tieguanyin, Jasmine, Dancong, Big Red Robe, Black Tea Start with a gaiwan, a glass pitcher, strainer and small cups. Bring your filtered water to a boil (Wang Huiming had water delivered every day fresh from the springs … Continue reading →

Published in: How To
Filed under: big red robe, black tea, brewing, da hong pao, gaiwan, iron goddess of mercy, oolong tea, tieguanyin, Wang Huiming, white tea
6 Comments

One Word Tea Club Brewing

Published on December 22nd, 2011 by David Duckler

Works best with: Big Red Robe, Dancong Start with two 4-8 oz yixing clay teapots. Heat them with boiling water. Pour out the water and add leaves to 2/3 full when dry. Pour boiling water over the leaves and immediately pour … Continue reading →

Published in: How To
Filed under: big red robe, brewing, yixing
2 Comments

Back-Alley Jingshan Teahouse Brewing

Published on December 21st, 2011 by David Duckler

Works best with: Any green tea, especially Jingshan, Songyang White Start with a tempered glass tumbler. Fill with fresh boiled water, 6-8oz is ideal. Allow the water to steam and cool for about 45 seconds to one minute. add two generous pinches of … Continue reading →

Published in: How To
Filed under: brewing, green tea, jingshan
7 Comments

Ayi Style Tea Brewing

Published on December 19th, 2011 by David Duckler

Works Best With: Laoshan Green, Huangshan Maofeng, Jingshan Green Start with two glass picthers, and use 2 teaspoons (give and take) of tea per 4oz of water. Measure the tea into one pitcher, and fill the other with freshly boiled water. … Continue reading →

Published in: How To
Filed under: brewing, green tea, Laoshan
3 Comments

Wang Yanxin Style No-Frills Gongfu

Published on December 20th, 2010 by David Duckler

Works Best With: Pu’er, especially shu pu’er Take a 4-5g chunk of pu’er and place it in a gaiwan. Don’t worry about warming anything up. Pour boiling water over the tea. Take a pu’er pick and hack the chunk apart until … Continue reading →

Published in: How To
Filed under: brewing, Wang Yanxin
3 Comments