Steep Stories

Mindblown: a blog about philosophy.

  • Playing with Purple Tea before a Tandem Taiwanese Tasting

    So, the events herein are from a couple of weeks ago, but the work week from Hades prevented its etching onto this holiest blog-tomes. But…here it is now. Late. As expected. As always. Big Brass Butiki-s, Round 2: “Playing with Purple Tea before a Tandem Taiwanese Tasting” (How’s that for a long-arse title?) March’s Tandem…

  • Do Tea Drinkers Dream of Electric Kettles?

    Back in January, I was contacted by JalamTeas to try another one of their pu-erhs. This was different than their Nan Nuo offering because it was a loose, young sheng as opposed to a beengcha (tea cake). Well, of course, I said, “Hell yeah!” Or something akin to it. JalamTeas had a pretty good eye…

  • Good Afternoon, Vietnamese Pu-Erh!

    In 2010, back in my review days, a Vietnamese cooked pu-erh happened upon my desktop. By then, I had developed a predilection for weird teas and new origins. So, the idea of a pu-erh, from somewhere other than Yunnan, excited me. That is, until I tasted it. Let’s just say, I wasn’t a fan. But…

  • Expos, eBooks, and Media

    State of the Minion Address #3: “Expos, eBooks, and Media” Ladies and (not-so-)Gentlemen! I have a few announcements to make… It’s been awhile since I’ve done one of these State of the Minion things – outlining future projects, current states of mind, and the like. However, a ton of things are on the horizon. Truth…

  • A Teaity Chat Adventure

    Let’s put things in perspective. Last Tuesday, there was a Teaity-hosted Twitter chat, and it was amazing! I, however, wasn’t amazing in it. In fact, one could even say – albeit crudely/colloquially – that I was out of my f**king mind. Reasons being: Too much caffeine…and family. I started off the day – a work…

  • “Taiwan’s Wild Side” – Big Brass Butikis, Round 1

    Big Brass Butikis, Round 1: “Taiwan’s Wild Side” I have a confession to make: I’m in love with Butiki Teas. They are one of five (maybe six?) companies that have my kind of business model. That being: What’s that? Is it weird? SWEET! I’ll buy ALL of it! It’s like they took a piece of…

  • V-Day Tea Day with Mum

    I think I’ve mentioned my mother’s in town for a couple of months, right? Unlike some thirtysomething males, I actually like having my mother around. No, not because she buys the food. In fact, I insist that she not do so. However, there are times when she offers that even I can’t refuse. This time,…

  • “All’s Fair in Love and Wolves” – An Open Letter to the Tandem Tea Tasters

    “All’s Fair in Love and Wolves” – An Open Letter to the Tandem Tea Tasters   To my dearest Tandem Tea Tasters – Rachel, Jo, Nicole, Darlene, Jackie and Julia… I regret that I was unable to attend last Sunday’s Tandem Tea Tasting, and I equally lament that I never got to make the real(-ish)-time…

  • “The Subtlety of Smoke” – The Changing Face of Lapsang Souchong, Part 2

    This is Part 2 of a trilogy of posts about Lapsang Souchong. For Part 1, go HERE. The Changing Face of Lapsang Souchong, Part 2: “The Subtlety of Smoke” The branding and categorizing of tea can get a little fuzzy, especially where China is concerned. The main reason being, a lot of the origin stories…

  • “Silver and Smoke” – The Changing Face of Lapsang Souchong, Part 1

    This is the first installment in a trilogy of posts about Lapsang Souchong. The Changing Face of Lapsang Souchong, Part 1: “Silver and Smoke” Tong Mu Guan is a village on Wu Yi Shan (read: “mountain”) in Fujian province, China. It is considered the birthplace of modern day black tea. As legend has it, the…

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