Author: lazyliteratus
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When Life Gives You Shit, Drink Rummy Pu
I have no words for how shitty this weekend was. Okay, not true. I have 1,551 words. Geez, that’s a lot.
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Keep Calm and Gaiwan On
In 1939, the United Kingdom officially declared war against Nazi Germany. Punctually early, as was the British way. In order to keep public morale high, the Ministry of Information designed and distributed posters to strengthen British resolve in advance of wartime peril. One of which was this: It was a very British slogan.
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Dark Tea from Taiwan
In late 2013, I thought I tried the rarest, weirdest, most unheard-of tea unicorn out there—a heicha (dark tea) from Taiwan. After three years of palatial growth, though, I’m now convinced that it was a Yunnan grown puerh that was merely stored in Taiwan. Still unique, but not quite the unicorn I thought it was.…
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Several Moments of Matcha Madness
I’ve gone on record as saying that Mizuba Tea‘s matcha line is one of my favorites. Both for their quality . . . and convenience. Convenient, how? Well, “they” are located in my neck of the woods. That’s right, I have a local matcha (read: crack) dealer. If I need a fix, I know who…
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A Guy and His Gaiwan
Back in 2009, I didn’t like oolongs. In general, anyway. There were some specific ones I liked, but most of them were off limits. I even explained this to Tony Tellin, lead blender extraordinaire at Smith Teamaker, when he was working the tea bar one day. He said, “You’re probably not brewing them right.” He…
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Da Hong Pao: My Old Nemesis
Seven Days of Seven Cups, Day 7 – “Da Hong Pao: My Old Nemesis” Da Hong Pao (“Big Red Robe”) . . . my old nemesis . . . we meet again. Now, I’ve gone on record several times over the years as saying that Da Hong Pao was one of my least favorite oolongs.…
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Lao Cong Shui Xian Oolong . . . or Wulong
Seven Days of Seven Cups, Day 6 – “Lao Cong Shui Xian Oolong . . . or Wulong” A thought occurred to me while I was doing this Wuyi oolong-fueled, seven-blog stretch. I haven’t once referred to “oolong” as “wulong”. Granted, I never do, but it’s a particular sticking point here . . . because…
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Searching for the Cinnamon in Rou Gui
Seven Days of Seven Cups, Day 5 – “Searching for the Cinnamon in Rou Gui” Rou Gui holds the distinction of being the first—and a long time ago, only— Wuyi oolong I liked when I first got started. Of course, in the last year or so, my palate has since Stockholmed its way into acceptance…
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Tie Luo Han: The Iron Monk Oolong
Seven Days of Seven Cups, Day 4 – “Tie Luo Han: The Iron Monk Oolong” This interesting oolong derives its name—Tie Luo Han, which means “Iron Monk”—from old legends linked to a particular cave. I couldn’t even find a picture of this legendary cave, and—believe me—I looked. All that came up were Mindcraft photos. So,…
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Ba Xian: Oolong of the Eight Immortals
Seven Days of Seven Cups, Day 3 – “Ba Xian: Oolong of the Eight Immortals” Ba Xian literally means “Eight Immortals” in Chinese. The name refers to the tea plant cultivar used to create this particularly odd Wuyi oolong, but it also has a legend attached to it. Don’t they all? The name is a…