Tea

Oolong Teas

Tea can be divided into three basic categories: black, green, and oolong. During processing, tea is allowed to wither, which sets off oxidation. Black teas generally undergo full oxidation resulting in dark brown or black leaves, robust and pronounced flavor,...

Display Teas of China

Our tea expert, Bill Waddington of TeaSource, introduced Lynne to Green Peony Rosettes, a Chinese display tea that, once it opens up in hot water and "blooms," resembles a beautiful sea anemone. The leaves can be brewed again and again...

Tisane by Bill Waddington

Herbal teas are not "teas" - they typically do not include any tea leaves or, for that matter, caffeine. Using either dried or fresh herbs, brew 1 heaping teaspoon per cup for 5-6 minutes. Rooibos is a new trend beginning...

Scented Teas

Tea merchant Bill Waddington brought some lovely scented teas to the studio for Lynne to taste. Included were Jasmine Dragon Phoenix Pearl, Rose Congou (a black tea with rose petals), Lapsang Souchong, and Earl Grey White Tip....

Deaf Dog Coffee

For more information on the back-to-basics Deaf Dog Coffee shops telephone Ron Salisbury in Petaluma, California at 707-762-7848. If you're traveling in the Petaluma area you can get a coffee at these locations: Deaf Dog Coffee 134 Petaluma Blvd. North...

Tea Source in St. Paul

If you stop by Tea Source, Bill Waddington's shop in St. Paul, Minnesota, and tell him you'd like to try a tea new to you but don't know what to select he'll probably ask you what kind of apples you...

Bottled Water

Why do Americans spend nine billion dollars a year for what comes out of the tap for virtually free? New York Times reporter Julia Moskin took a look at the bottled water conundrum in her article, "Must be Something in...

Tips for Great Coffee

From The Joy of Coffee: The Essential Guide to Buying, Brewing and Enjoying, by Corby Kummer The Stovetop Moka Brewer is a low-tech, simple-to-operate, inexpensive (about $20.00) brewing system that produces a superb brew. Corby says to purchase a stainless...

Terroir™ Coffee

Terroir™, an elite brand targeted at connoisseurs of the bean, is grown on a single plot of land, sometimes an area within that plot. These coffees currently come from Costa Rica, Guatemala, Brazil, El Salvador, Kenya, and Ethiopia. Climatic conditions,...

In Pursuit of Tea with Sebastian Beckwith

Tea purveyor Sebastian Beckwith, a cofounder of the tea vending Web site, In Pursuit of Tea, can't resist traveling the world to track down exotic teas where they grow. He goes places many of us haven't even heard of. A...

Puer Tea by Bill Waddington

Puer is an aged black tea from China prized for its medicinal properties and earthy flavors. The production of Puer teas is a state-guarded secret in China and until recently it was illegal to import it into the United States....

Tips for Checking Out An Espresso Bar

Coffee expert Corby Kummer says it the small details that matter in a great cup of espresso. When you go into a coffee bar look around for these signs that the establishment knows what they're doing and care about serving...

Faygo Pop

Faygo Beverages, Inc. recently celebrated their 100th anniversary. Started in 1907 by two brothers, the beloved and quirky Detroit company was the one that turned soda into "pop." Today, the company produces approximately 40 flavors of soda pop, Ohana non-carbonated...

New Old Tea

Bill Waddington, proprietor of the TeaSource (www.teasource.com) shops in St. Paul, Minnesota, says that teas with a long tradition in their country of origin but never before seen in the West are among his favorite discoveries. When he recently...

Mead

Some in imbibing circles claim mead was the first fermented beverage. The ancient drink is still around and, what's more, it's the of-the-moment thing to drink now in the Rocky Mountain state. Colorado's own Redstone Meadery in Boulder produces a...

Home Fluid-Bed Coffee Roasters

Kenneth Davids, author of Home Coffee Roasting: Romance and Revival (St. Martin's Press, 1996) recommends two reasonably priced home fluid-bed coffee roasters: Original Fresh Roast: this roaster has a per-roast-batch capacity of 2.7 ounces by weight and sells for about...