Tea InfusiastA post about preparing–and why I haven’t been posting more on the blog lately.
Tea things are in the works, but not ready to materialize yet.
Life has been very busy as a professor and personally. Tea things, of course, are in the mix, too.
Here are a few things in the works to share in this post about preparing.
I’ve been thinking about how to enhance your tea tasting.
There’s an underappreciated way to improve your ability to have a fuller tasting experience and clearer communication about tea. Simply put, it is increasing your exposure to a wider range of foods!
This post shares suggestions for mindful tea. With things you probably have in your cupboards right now, you can change how you prepare or enjoy your tea. Small changes could lead to big rewards, adding some calm and presence to your day.
Starting with a definition, or understanding, of mindful tea is a great way to begin.
I love trying herbal teas, like burdock root tea, that don’t appear in the typical chain grocery store in the U.S. That’s partly because for years I thought I didn’t enjoy herbal tea. It turns out, I’m just not a big fan of mint or chamomile–probably the two most popular herbals in the United States.
So, when one of my favorite tea companies, Soocha Tea, added a new herbal tea to their collection, I knew I had to try. Maybe it would be a new option to add to my Herbal Tea Recommendations!
As Valentine’s Day approaches, I’ve been thinking about how we can share love through tea. In past years, I’ve shared posts on Valentine’s teas and tisanes and tea-infused chocolates. (I’ll link to those posts at the bottom of this one.) I’ve also featured Tea Love Stories–sharing, for example, how tea has brought couples and friends together.
This year, I have been deeply moved by the compassionate actions and support for social justice I’ve seen small tea companies perform–acts of love and deep care for wider humanity. So, I’m thinking about love in a more communal sense and showcasing the work of a few tea companies.
This post provides a Handwarmer Mug review from an accessibility perspective. Neher Pottery makes the mug, which includes a “pocket” for your dominant hand. I share my thoughts and a loved one’s reaction to write this overview.
I’m still searching for and trying out mugs for accessibility. A family member who has issues with hand-swelling and soreness inspired this quest. I reviewed the CURVD wide-handled mug about a month ago.
This review is of the ceramic Handwarmer Mug from Neher Pottery. I would like to emphasize that the company was not advertising this mug as accessible. In their description on Etsy, they emphasized the “Handwarmer Mugs are designed with an ergonomic pocket so you can wrap your fingers in comforting warmth while you enjoy your favorite beverage.”
I’m delighted to share my favorite hot cocoa recipe!
Yes, I am a devoted tea drinker. But we also take homemade hot cocoa very seriously at my house! When my kids were growing up, we always made it on days it snowed. We still do. Of course, we also enjoy it on cold, snowless winter days.
I’m sharing a tea inspiration list–some ideas for tea experiences to seek out and enjoy in 2026. Will you choose a few or try to do them all?
The end of the year invites thinking over which teas delighted me in 2025. Although I’ll begin by highlighting some of my longstanding favorites, this post will dwell on the teas that first made it into repeat rotation in 2025. My list includes black, green, oolong, and yellow teas–by coincidence! I wasn’t trying to choose teas from such a wide range of categories.
Here’s an accessible mug review. This post explores the pros and cons of a CURVD® brand mug with a very wide handle. I share my thoughts and a loved one’s experience to write this overview. [Updated 12/12/25]
Someone I love mentioned to me that they sometimes have a hard time holding mugs due to swelling and mobility issues with their hands. They said it can be very uncomfortable holding a regular mug–they can’t get their fingers comfortably through regular-sized handles. So, that makes it hard for them to avoid spilling hot tea or coffee. Not a pleasant experience for them, to say the least.
