The Lotus is a very important symbol in India and of Buddhism. It refers to the complete purification of body, speech and mind, and the blossoming of wholesome deeds in liberation. The lotus refers to many aspects of the path, as it grows from the mud (samsara), up through muddy water it appears clean on [...]
Yesterday evening we had some spare time between appointments so we went to Floating Leaves Tea in Ballard – 2213 NW Market St, Suite 100. I had been there once before but had not ever sat down to tea in the shop. After very little deliberation, we decided on the Baojhong Second Place oolong, served [...]
A co-worker recently brought some Douglas Fir Tip Tea from Juniper Ridge, and I had forgotten that I stashed a bag in my desk drawer until I was rummaging around trying to find a good tea to take care of the latest chest cold that’s going around. It isn’t advertised as a remedy, but the [...]
I stopped in at the Teacup to get some refills on our household favorites, and I also picked up a couple ounces of their Wu Wei blend. This one has less hibiscus and much more lemon – and it’s certainly not listed in the ingredients, some combination of herbs gave me a vague impression of [...]
I was fiddling around in the kitchen last night, trying to pack a lunch for today, and I was lamenting the lack of any tiny tupperware that would let me take a bit of chevre in my bento this week. I glanced up to the shelf above me and saw my white gongfu cups sitting [...]
We’ve started a tradition of going to the Teahouse Kuan Yin in Wallingford after meditation on Fridays. I’m so glad to finally get out there, because it’s a lovely little place with friendly staff and great tea. They offer each pot of tea on a tray with a tea cozy, a cup and saucer or [...]
I remember my introduction to Gongfu Cha quite well. My friend and I happened into a smallish shop in the Chinese section of the International District in Seattle called “New Century Tea House & Chinese Classical Furniture,” not knowing much about what we were after, but always interested in new tea experiences. It was a [...]
It’s really been a rollercoaster of a year so far. Seattle has been hit by several storm systems that have wreaked havoc with wind, rain, snow, and ice. I’ve never experienced this many Snow Days in one season! So while waiting for a bus that never came, a friend and I decided to get out [...]
I will confess to you that I’ve had a hard time identifying with oolong tea. But I’ve had some new experiences with it that are slowly changing the way I think about it. We live fairly close to a Seattle restaurant called Lemongrass, Taste of Vietnam and I was in there over the holidays with [...]
My latest ritual comes from having a series of lunchtime appointments about half a mile from work. I’ve been stopping at Cafe On The Ave on my return trip. They serve Caffe Vita, which is a popular local coffee roaster. It took me a long time to find any good information on the tea they [...]
