Reading The Tea Leaf

Posted By Jean on September 7, 2009

When I closed the doors at Brew City Tea House last November, I felt the world close in on me also. It has taken me some time now to move on as you may see by my posts. Much of that time, I have spent on reflecting and healing my own ego. A small business is usually the dream come true to the person who follows their vision. The ending of that business brought on by a force outside of the business owner usually will result in some sort of grieving process. I feel there are many small business owners that may be going through that same process of healing. With the economy playing a large role in the heart of small business activity, I feel that it is important to come together and use this time as one of reflection and change. The state of the economy has proven challenging for most small business owners such as myself.  I have been using my time since last November to search for the positive life altering experiences that I could extract from Brew City Tea. I was able to meet people I would have never had the opportunity to otherwise, I was able to learn, teach, and expand my horizons beyond anything I could have imagined.

Through the healing process, I have begun to realize that dreams and ideas shift through circumstances. The shift we see in the economy, in our country, and in our lives allow for change. In most cases, it necessitates change and time to reassess our values and what is truly important to us. It gives us the ability to reaffirm our true passions.

For me that passion is tea – I am hoping that through our discussion of tea that it will bring people together, sharing a pot of tea with others, we will come to realize that it is the simple pleasures of life that are important. It truly is the little things that make us happy.

With that said, on this Labor Day 2009, I would like to thank all the people in this country and tea producing countries, that have spent their work days laboring in fields, factories, blending, vendors and enthusiasts to bring us some of the best tea leaves we have seen in decades. Sit back, brew a cup and give thanks.

Sipping Ceylon Lumbini

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Posted By Jean on February 4, 2009

Our golden retriever, Cody, is prone to hotspots. He gets them about 3 – 4 times a year. They seem to always come up on the sides of his neck. When they appear, they can spread rapidly causing him major irritation and pain. They weep, usually an oozing, bloody liquid. The last time the veterinarian cost was about $250 which included a $75 fur trimming fee, to shave the affected area. I decided to do a little research and saw that there was some recommendations for putting black tea on the infected area. Now that I thought was interesting, so I made up a cup of very strong black tea, about 2 heaping tablespoons of black tea, steeped it for about 2 minutes, allowed it to cool to the touch and sprayed it on the hot spot. I sprayed it twice the first day and by the second day I noticed the area seemed to be drying up and less weeping. By the third day it had gotten smaller and seemed to be much better and he seemed less agitated with touch. Day four it was hardly visible.

What is it in tea that makes this possible? According to Wikipedia “Tannins not only heal burns and stop bleeding, but they also stop infection while they continue to heal the wound internally. The ability of tannins to form a protective layer over the exposed tissue keeps the wound from being infected even more”. So keep a small supply readily available in your medicine cabinet for skin irritations, insect bites, burns or rashes. It certainly has made a remarkable difference for Cody.

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Posted By Jean on January 20, 2009

Every inauguration has been a new hope for our country. This one is no different, but I do believe more intense because of the state of the economy. We have no choice but to stand behind our president and our country and pray for the best yet to come. “With every door closing a new one opens”, I have heard all too often after closing the doors at the tea house. My cup of tea is half full, not half empty, I will continue to keep it half full. My best to President Obama.

sipping Darjeeling,

jean

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Posted By Jean on January 17, 2009

We are all aware of the present economic crunch that is going on in the world. We have found ourselves cutting from our budgets any unnecessary items.

Tea however, is a very affordable luxury. A tea that may cost $100 a pound still costs only 50 cents per cup when brewed. One pound of tea will supply approximately 200 cups, compared to a pound of coffee which will yield about 40 – 50 cups. This is not to mention that some local coffee shops will sell a cup of coffee for $4 per. Knowing all the health hype on tea, I will stick with my cup of green tea.

As for the actual cost of tea in China, and with a little research, good quality black Chinese tea is priced between $13 – $45 (US dollars) per 100 grams, which is approximately 3.5 ounces. Depending on the type of tea still it still becomes an affordable luxury that I will allow myself.

Sipping Chinese Yunnan,

jean

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Posted By Jean on January 6, 2009

Blogging seems to be the way of the Internet these days. So in preparation for Brew City Tea’s new blog, “Reading the Tea Leaf” I have found myself doing a bit of blogging research. What then, is a “tea blog”? According to Websters #2 definition a blog is “slang for alcohol, used in science fiction fandom”. So if I were cruising on The Star Ship Enterprise, having a tea blog might be quite appropriate. What that would consist of will have to be left for a future blog entry, unless you may have some suggestions. In that case please share with us.

Websters #1 definition of a blog is, “short for weblog, a journal that is frequently updated and intended for general public consumption”. Public consumption, tea, drinking, I can do that! Welcome to Brew City Tea’s new blog. Heat the kettle and join in, Brew City Tea’s weblog is up and running.

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Posted By Jean on December 22, 2008

Welcome to Brew City Tea’s new online community. Feel free to add any comments, ideas or interests you may have. Blogging is a totally new experience for me. Please be sure to visit our new website, which is still under construction. www.brewcitytea.com
I just want to take this moment out of everyone’s busy schedule to wish you all a very happy holiday season.

Sipping cinnamon Assam

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