It's All About Tea — western tea

We first met Petr online, in a tea forum discussion about oxidation and fermentation. His posts stood out: clear and grounded in real experience, combined with deep knowledge of theory. Petr has spent years studying tea, making it, teaching it, and guiding others into the reality of tea production.

One of the regions where he has invested time and energy is Georgia. Today, when people think of tea-producing countries, Georgia isn't usually at the top of the list. But Petr saw both history and opportunity there. His involvement has grown from trading tea to restoring overgrown gardens, setting up a tea project, and introducing both locals and visitors to the full range of what Georgian tea can be.

We've asked Petr to share his own story of how he became involved in Georgia's tea industry – its people, challenges, and unexpected turns. It's a mix of history, travelogue, and firsthand insight into a tea culture in transition. (Read more)

Ever since I became serious about tea, I noticed that when I visit friends, they hesitate to offer me a cup. They think I'll be quietly (or not so quietly) snubbing their tea choices. The truth is – I won't. Not every cup of tea has to have an amazing, mind-opening taste, and not every tea intake has to be a "tea ceremony" with a Yixing teapot. Sometimes, tea is just a way to warm your hands on a cold walk or to keep the conversation going around a busy table.

There are many ways to drink tea, and each makes sense in its own time and place. That might sound obvious, but in tea circles, especially in those built around Gong Fu Cha, it's easy to feel like there is a "right" and a wrong way to have tea. We, the tea buffs, tend to develop strong opinions about how tea should be brewed and appreciated, and it can make everything else feel lesser. 

But tea is what you make out of it. Sometimes, it's a means to an end, not an end in itself, and every means serves its purpose. And what works on a quiet Sunday morning won't always fit into a rushed weekday commute or a loud dinner with friends.

This article is about recognizing the full spectrum of how tea fits into our lives. From a paper cup of bagged black tea to a mindful Gong Fu session – each approach has its place. Let's look at a few common ways of enjoying tea and the kinds of moments they match best. (Read more)

We have already discussed Chinese tea tradition and Japanese tea tradition, but how about the rest of the world?

Granted, most tea we find in other countries all over the world once did come from China through the Silk Road, and then slowly developed to have their own tradition and drinking practices in other countries. (Read more)

By brewing tea in a large vessel, we allow for the tea to open up all at once, giving us all it has in one go. You may not recognize all the subtleties from opening up the tea’s taste gradually, but you will get a cup of delicious tea with a nice aroma nonetheless. 

On the other hand, if you choose to make Gong Fu tea for yourself or for friends it becomes more of an experience. Gong Fu differs from the Western way of brewing tea in that it allows tea to open to its full potential gradually. (Read more)