Documentarian and podcaster James Harper of Filter Stories has joined up with history professor Jonathan Morris to produce a nice, short but sweet, six-part series that looks at the history of this aromatic psychoactive seed that, like tea, played no small part in changing the world.If you liked the Tea History Podcast, I warmly welcome you to go c…

As Porky Pig used to say, "That's all folks". But only for this Chinese tea history series. There's more coming rest assured. Please stay subscribed so that you won't miss any new episodes. I'm already working on the next episode, one that's guaranteed to please. I thank you all for listening. Please consider checking out the other two Teacup Media…

We continue on with a tour of the provinces, looking at some of the more renowned teas each place has to offer. Teas such as Dancong, Tieguanyin, Jinjunmei, and Da Hong Pao are introduced. Various teas from Guangdong, Guangxi, Guizhou, Jiangsu, Jiangxi, Sichuan, Hubei, and Hunan are discussed. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/ad…

Today's THP episode will go from province to province and look at a variety of famous teas such as Longjing, Gunpowder, Huangshan Maofeng, Lu'an Guapian, Xinyang Maojian, Taiping Houkui and a few others. All of the teas to be introduced began their brilliant careers as tribute teas sent annually to the emperor. You too can savor these teas fit for …

In this episode, we focus on the category of tea that is most admired by many tea experts the world over. Pu-Erh tea was introduced sometime during the Ming Dynasty and in time, became the oft-called "King of Teas" for its rich and unique flavor, wholly unlike any other tea produced in China. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adc…

After enjoying a monopoly that lasted for 45 centuries, China's secrets of how they turned Camellia sinensis leaves into tea are shared with the world (but not by the Chinese). This time we see how the tea seeds, plants, tools, and experts are secreted out of China and successfully brought to the Indian highlands. There a British dream team of bota…

The hero who ensured Robert Fortune's success, Dr. Nathanial Bagshaw Ward is introduced in this episode. Ward's invention of the terrarium was the one thing that provided the breakthrough for Robert Fortune. We see how Fortune went into China, scored plants and tea seeds from Zhejiang, Anhui and Fujian and got everything safely loaded onto a vessel…

The mid 19th Century brought a sea change to the tea industry. Demand continued to grow all over Europe. China's artisanal tea growers and the general unreliability of the China market due to all the well-known political and social disasters happening in China raise concerns. The idea to make a go at growing tea in India is seriously discussed. We …

Midway through the Qing Dynasty trouble is brewing along with the tens of millions of pounds of tea being imported into Britain. The Qianlong Emperor rebuffs Britain's envoy and puts a major damper on the prospects of China trade. Britain finds the perfect commodity to trade for tea, Patna Opium from India. This ultimately leads to conflict culmina…

In this episode we move to the other side of the world to look at some tea history in the British Colonies. The tea trade by now has transformeded into an entire industry and becomes the most important traded commodity of the British East India Company. Twining's emerges onto the scene along with coffeehouse culture where tea was also to be had. Ov…

Europeans were no less enthusiastic about tea than anyone else. It started off with the royals and aristocrats. But once prices came down and the haves and have-nots got to enjoy it, the demand will become insatiable. The Russian tea caravans are also explored. Though their tea culture was different from the ways of the Europeans, Russian people lo…

During the late 16th century, the Jesuit Fathers become the first Europeans to drink tea. Soon afterward the Portuguese and Dutch traders start poking their noses around China and Japan. They too learn of this amazing beverage and see excellent prospects in their home markets. By the early 17th century The Dutch and British East India Companies are…

More Ming Dynasty tea history this time. Further innovations from China's tea artisans further improves the taste and experience of tea. The famous "zisha" clay teapots and tea ware from Yixing, Jiangsu province are introduced as well as their role in the Gongfu Tea Ceremony. As the second half of the Ming Dynasty starts to wind down, the Europeans…

The epic story continues after the greatest advances ever in tea production and tea culture in the Song. After surviving the Mongol Yuan Dynasty Camellia Sinensis experiences revolutionary improvements with the founding of the Ming Dynasty by Zhu Yuanzhang. Now tea starts to become more familiar to us after the Hongwu Emperor demands all future tri…

Buddhism continues to embrace tea even further during the Song Dynasty giving rise to the term 茶禪一味 "Tea and Chan Buddhism are one taste." More Huizong, white tea, Japan's Myōan Eisai, and then we'll close with an intro to Wulong (Oolong) Tea and the emergence of the Wuyi Mountains in Fujian province as a tea powerhouse. Learn more about your ad ch…

No longer is tea a bitter brew sharing a Chinese character with the one used for a bitter vegetable. Royals, officials, scholars, and common people are enjoying tea and writing poems inspired by this beverage that has taken China and Japan by storm. During the Song, tea takes on a new look and feel. We also revisit one of the greatest royal patrons…

In the post-Lu Yu world, tea starts to take off like a rocket. It will take a little longer for tea to get the needed traction in Japan but during the Tang, they get to see it and appreciate it up close. We'll also look at one of the early "Tea Persons", the poet and recluse Lu Tong, as well as one of his most famous tea poems. In this episode, we …

We looked at The Tea Saint, Lu Yu in the last episode. This time we give a once-over to his greatest work, The Cha Jing or Classic of Tea. The national popularity of tea in China really catches fire after Lu Yu shows everyone how to enjoy it, and enjoy life at the same time. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices…

In this episode, we finally introduce the Tea Saint. What Elvis was to rock n' roll, Lu Yu was to the popularity of tea in Chinese society. Here we'll look at his life and his work, "The Classic of Tea". From here on out, tea is no longer tú, and neither is it bitter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices…

After centuries of trial and error, tea starts to transform from a bitter medicinal brew into something worthy of presenting to the emperor as tribute. Tea's rise during the Sui and Tang are introduced this time. The important role tea played in Tibet and other border regions is also discussed. The Tea Saint, Lu Yu will be saved for the next episod…

Tea's progress as an enjoyable beverage starts to make some headway since Shen Nong's time. But it's still one bitter brew during the Bronze Age centuries. Tea remains a work in progress but showing tremendous promise. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesBy Teacup Media

Welcome to the Tea History Podcast inaugural episode. In this first episode we'll explore tea's humble beginnings in the Ba and Shu States. We'll also look at the mythical story of the discovery of tea by the Divine Farmer, Shen Nong. We have a long way to go. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices…

Laszlo is here with a sort of new podcast show introducing the mythical and historical timeline of one of the most popular beverages in the world. Other than the air we breathe and the water we drink, nothing is consumed in greater quantities than "The China Drink" as it was known in Europe during its earliest days. From its ancient beginnings to o…

Rum and raisins? cola?

Blue Snake Ripe Pu-erh Comparison

In this episode I have a conversation with the owner of Far Leaves tea house in Berkeley, CA Peter Christy. Far Leaves has been a brick and mortar tea space since 1998 and has introduced countless people to great tea. Peter discusses the intersection of tea as a mindfulness practice and the design theory that has let Far Leaves continue for so long…

12% off Black Teas & Wu Yi Oolongs

10% Off All Oolong Tea until November 14th

With the return of the show for a second season we sit down with So Fan Han, founder of West China Tea Company and co-founder of the Guan Yin Tea House in Austin, TX. So Han has been teaching tea in person for many years now and is featured on a new YouTube channel Tea House Ghost in a series that teaches the basics of the Gong Fu Cha tea brewing s…

Yunnan Sourcing Brand Raw Pu-erh Tea on Sale Now!

Yunnan Sourcing Anchor!

This time we have a brief interview with Jeffry McIntosh, founder of teabook.co about business strategy, who drinks tea and what he thinks needs to be brought to the tea market to expand the tea industry and community. Jeffrey is a really knowledgeable and passionate guy who has very cool technical perspective on tea, I'm sure you'll like this conv…

In this episode we talk with Elyse Petersen of Tealet.com which is a wholesale "online farmer's market" that connects buyers with single-origin tea farms. Elyse and I talk about her love for tea and get a under the hood look at the tea trade and what she wants to see change for the better. Snoop Dogg may or may not get a shoutout. If you want to ge…

In this episode I talk about tea culture with George Jaw, the founder of the Las Vegas Tea Culture Institute. You can find them on Facebook under the group name "Las Vegas Tea Club". George is a fun and amazing guy who has a great foundational love and knowledge of tea but is very oriented toward new ideas and expanding what it means to have a tea …

In this episode we talk with Glen Bowers of Crimson Lotus Tea and Stasia Burrington an Seattle area artist. Glen and Stasia collaborated on a series of puerh bricks that have her artwork on the wrapper. We talk about tea, art, China, and have multiple science fiction related tangents. Crimson Lotus Tea can be found here. Stasia's website is here, a…

On this episode I chat with San Diego based tea sourcer Taylor Drye. Taylor and I talk about his company Mad Monk Tea, sustainable farming, and living and drinking tea with the seasons. Taylor has launched an amazing new website you have to check out at www.madmonktea.com Our music was generously provided by Equity Slate, an artist who makes chill …

In this episode I drink tea with Jason Chang the founder of Teaful.co a store that sells excellent tea from Taiwan and soon other parts of the world. We talk about how he got into tea, what tea farming is like in Taiwan, and how climate effects the taste of tea. Its a great episode so fire up the kettle and drink tea with us! Music this week was a …

In this episode I speak with Erin Wildman the founder of Caravan Tea, a online tea retail startup out of LA. Erin can be found at www.caravan-tea.com and on Instagram @caravanteaco. You can email any questions, comments, suggestions, or tea puns to me at BarryRDonnelly@gmail.com Our new intro music is "Baba Yaga" by Kevin MacLeod provided royalty f…

As promised here is the first tea audio project I did that helped inspire this podcast. Its an interview with Emilio Del Pozo and Spring of The Jade Leaf.com. Emilio is a tea vendor and wood fired potter based in Taiwan. I met Emilio at my old job at Leaf and Kettle and was able to host him last year. The audio will not be as nice, I think I record…

This is the introductory episode of Hot Leaf Juice. In this episode Barry talks briefly about what this podcast will be like, about himself and his history with tea. Intro music is "Camellia Sinensis" by Lotus Garden Meditation Tribe.By Barry Donnelly