In Chinese tradition, peach stands for long life and good health. There is a beautiful story here because the peach itself has travelled almost exactly like the fine teas: from an ancient Chinese landscape, through Central Asia and Persia, carrying with it not only flavour but stories, symbolism and dreams of longevity.

Every great tea carries stories: of the land where it was born, stories that unfold when you brew and enjoy each sip of it. This tea is called Amam - mother. Bibeck’s mother is highly involved in the whole creation of this tea and other teas produced on the family farm. The name also fits so well with the harvesting season we are in right now, where Mother Earth provides us with all her gifts, a reminder of how we are directly linked to her; she is the foundation for our live

Not all tea is created equal. Every cup of specialty tea reflects the people, the landscape, and generations of knowledge that have refined and mastered the skills necessary to transform these mighty leaves into something truly extraordinary.

Summer in a Glass: Althaus Sparkling Tea with Cucumber and Elderflowers! Cucumber has long been associated with summer refreshment. Together with this new Sparkling Tea from Althaus, mixologist Mariusz has created a naturally cooling drink, low in sugar and completely alcohol-free!

"Every beautiful tea begins in someone's hands."

Tara is known throughout Asia as the embodiment of compassion, wisdom, and fearless action. She reminds us that true strength often is quiet and silent. She teaches us to meet life with an open heart, to act with kindness, and to find calm even in moments of uncertainty.

The best tea for your World Cup cuppa! And what tea personality are you?

The exact astronomical summer solstice can fall on June 20, 21, or 22, depending on the year and time zone.

Cold-brewed tea is one of the easiest ways to create a refreshing drink bursting with flavour. By steeping tea leaves in cold water rather than hot, you get a smoother, naturally sweeter tea with less bitterness and fewer tannins.

This summer, celebration doesn’t have to come with side effects. More and more people are choosing alternatives that let them enjoy the moment fully—not because they “have to,” but because it simply feels better.

To Who We Truly Are The only "zen" you bring with you to a mountaintop is the zen you already have inside of you. The original quote is from Robert M. Pirsig's book Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance. The feeling of having lost ourselves Today's world is lost in the endless activities "out there." We are blessed with so much convenience, knowledge, and information. But we still feel empty, as if something is missing. When we get that next thing, promotion, house, car,

India’s tea landscape spans dramatically different terroirs and elevations. From the misty, subtropical Himalayas to the humid tropical plains. These differences in climate shape not just flavor but also the type of tea that is produced. Some regions focus on rare, high-end orthodox teas; others are built around large-scale CTC production for everyday drinking. India is colourful also in the area of tea!

A huge mango tree at the Glen Nevis, sustainable, biodiverse tea plantation in the Kandy Region, Sri Lanka. April 2026. The liver becomes more active during the springtime; it is a yin, i.e., a compact organ (zang). The liver works in tandem with the gallbladder, which is a yang, hollow organ (fu). Together they form the paired organs of the wood element, linked via the liver and gallbladder meridians, where the liver stores blood/essence, and the gallbladder distributes bile

My daily yoga practice, an essential, foundational aspect of my life. For a long time, in my life and through my yoga practice, I've had to reflect on and learn the simple but easy-to-overlook aspect of how much the foundation matters. To the extent we are able to root ourselves down, that will define our ability to manifest positively and sustainably in this life. Planting a cutting of the cultivar Tri2043 at the Glen Nevis Tea Plantation with its red porous, acidic soil. T

A place to come and stay, it will imprint itself deeply on you. The awarded Aratenna Silver Tips is produced from the cultivar TRI 2043 that was developed in 1958 from open-pollinated seeds. At Glen Nevis Tea Plantation , nestled within the hills of Sri Lanka’s Kandy region and experienced through the quiet elegance of Jade Villas , you will find a living expression of terroir—a concept often reserved for wine, but just as vital, if not more so, in tea. TRI 2043 (in the middl

The logo of the Monastery of Tea represents wholeness by the circle and forward movement through the person in the boat. When I visited the Monastery of Tea in Sri Lanka the other day, it impressed me deeply. I felt I was experiencing something rare but urgently needed: a shift in how we live. Set quietly among lush nature in the hilly Kandy region, the Monastery of Tea is not just a place where specialty teas are produced. It is a living philosophy. Everything they do is ro

The Buddha Temple in Kathmandu. One of the city´s 7 UNESCO World Heritage Sites! I spent 10 days in the capital of Nepal, Kathmandu, and the Helambu Region, with the Ama Yangri Peak. Below are some tips and some of what I learned! The dogs in Nepal live a free life and are well cared for! Kathmandu is situated in a valley, which, according to an old legend, was once a giant lake. It was drained by the bodhisattva Manjushri to make the valley habitable for the people. It's a

A flush is a harvest, meaning that the tea leaves and buds have matured enough to be picked. The word flush is mainly used to describe the different harvests during a tea year in India and Nepal. Let’s look more closely at the famous Indian high-altitude region of Darjeeling and the main characteristics of the teas produced in each flush throughout the year. The expression "Darjeeling Teas" is protected under the Geographical Indication to prevent fraudulent use, similar to t

Tea can be more than just a drink and take us back to a place within that modern life often challenges us to connect with. When we slow down and truly engage with tea, it becomes a training ground for perception and deepened awareness. Let's explore how rushing changes taste, how stillness reveals layers, and the relationship between the palate and breath. A high-quality tea, steeped with care and attention, invites calm and focus, encouraging mindful tasting. How Rushing Cha

Today, February 16, is the last day of the Year of the Wood Snake. Tomorrow, we will enter the Yang Fire Horse! Does this have significance for us here in the West? Of course, it depends on what you choose to believe in. In any case, it's interesting, especially if you are into tea, because the largest tea nation in the world, where all six tea types are still being produced, is China. The Snake in Chinese metaphysics is not “evil” or “scary.” The year 2025 has had as its the