Apr

30

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Yep, it’s time for another 5:00 Friday. We just received a shipment of a new Wuyi oolong we are adding to the list. The Jin Fo Gold Buddha Reserve is a new favorite that you’ll want to get a taste of. We will also sample some new early harvest Dragonwells we are considering for the list, along with a few other interesting teas.

Hope to see you here! Thanks for checking in.

- James

Apr

27

Just a quick note to let you know that we are selling the last of our 2009 Margaret’s Hope First-Flush Darjeeling. Light, crisp floral and fruit notes make this tea so lovely to drink. Down to the last couple of ounces, and going for 30% off! Now sold out!

We also have a few ounces of Gold Buddha Wuyi oolong at 30% off. Just mention this post and we’ll set you up.  Now sold out!

Stay tuned for a lot of new teas due to arrive soon.

Thanks for checking in!

- James

Apr

25

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Name: Andrew Trecha

What do you do? Web developer, designer.

Why tea?
I was a coffee drinker for a long time and, at some point, I started to grow increasingly sensitive to the effects of coffee so I decided to try something different.  I’m a creature of habit and I like my rituals and getting the day started with a hot beverage is one of them. Tea is a great substitute. I started with robust teas like English and Irish breakfast - teas that take milk and a bit of sugar well, as that is how I took my coffee. Irish breakfast is now my morning staple.

How did you get into it?
I started with black teas - teas in coffee shops, or things I would come across when grocery shopping, most of which were okay but nothing really knocked my socks off. I geeked out and started doing a bit of research online to learn more about tea and the things to look for and the things to avoid. A co-worker noticed I had taken an interest in tea and he recommended that I check out Halcyon.

Which teas you have been into lately?
My wife and I have discovered Moroccan Mint. Organic White Monkey and other greens. Irish Breakfast is still a staple and I love it. Picked up some organic Chamomile recently and it’s very nice.

Do you have a perfect tea scenario?
Tea on the patio on a sunny warm afternoon with my wife and friends with cookies and biscuits.

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Thanks, Andrew! Tea with my wife is one my favorite things too. Speaking of wives, Andrew’s wife Cristina broadcasts the amazing Guitar and Other Machines podcast on Radio 23. I’m listening to the most recent show right now. This is stuff you are just not going to hear anywhere else. Check it out!

New tea and teaware shipments on their way, so stay tuned! Thanks so much for checking in.

- James

Apr

22

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(Taken from the Grain Edit blog) Mark is best known for his photographs of Jacqueline and John F. Kennedy and his work in capturing couture fashion from the middle of the century.  During the 1950s and early 1960s Mark shot the European fashion collections for LIFE magazine. It’s interesting to note that he was one of the first photographers to shoot fashion on the runways and backstage at shows.

I’m a sucker for imagery from this era. I love everything about it. Check out the Mark Shaw Photographic Archive site. On the site you can read more about Mark Shaw and view more examples of his wonderful work. And, if you happen to be an Audrey Hepburn fan, you’re in luck as you’ll find some great images.

Some great events in the works, new teas on their way, and another 5:00 Friday tomorrow. Come and join us for an evening of great conversation while the tea keeps flowing.

Thanks so much for checking in! We hope you all are well.

- James

Apr

15

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Lou Donaldson’s Midnight Creeper LP is a favorite.

Yep, this Saturday is National Record Store Day! While many people love the convenience of iTunes and Amazon, there is nothing like actually venturing into your favorite local independent record shop and browsing to your heart’s content. I usually go in with no idea of what I’m looking for, and I always leave with a few gems. A couple of my favorite local stores are M-Theory and Thirsty Moon. Both are beautifully curated, so you don’t have to look very hard to find something great. Each shop also has in-store performances—something you just can’t get online.

I guess I’m just one of those people who will always need tangible proof of his music collection. When I’m at home, I need to pull the album or CD off the shelf and physically start it up. Nothing against digital libraries at all, it’s just that I’ll never be able to give up my records. If you are also so inclined, make sure to get out there and support your local neighborhood shop.

Oh, and the album featured above? Check out the title track here. You won’t be disappointed.

Thanks for checking in!

- James

Apr

9

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Join us today for another 5:00 Friday. It’s always a good time. We’ll try another round or two of our Russian style blend and today will be the last day to submit names for the contest. Since we pushed the deadline back a bit, we will decide on the winning entry next week. The winner will be contacted by email and will receive a new Tea for One teapot/cup combo. along with an ounce of the tea they named. Come on out! We’d love to see you.

Thanks for checking in!

- James

Apr

8

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We are very excited to have Z’ev Rosenberg as our guest speaker next week, April 14th.  Z’ev has been a professor and Chair of the Department of Herbal Medicine at Pacific College of Oriental Medicine, San Diego, since 1991. Studying and practicing since 1971, he has been in private practice as an expert in Chinese internal medicine since 1983. He will join us for a talk on Pu-erh Tea and the Art of Nourishing Life while incorporating tea as part of a health regimen and lifestyle. There will be a teaching portion, followed by a Q & A time. Space is limited, so please call 619.450.4224 to reserve a spot for this great event. We hope to see you here!

Where: Halcyon Tea
When: Wednesday, April 14th
Time: 7:30 - 9:00 p.m.
What: Price: $5
Limit: 15 people

Quick Bio: Z’ev Rosenberg has been studying and practicing Oriental medicine since 1971. He is a graduate of Santa Fe College of Natural Medicine, the Kushi Institute, and Southwest Acupuncture College. Mr. Rosenberg received his Master’s degree in Oriental medicine from Emperor’s College. As well as teaching at Pacific College for the last 10 years, he has served as Chairof the Department of Herbology during that same period. He has been in private practice since 1983 and is a consultant and product developer for K’an Herb Company. He writes for several professional Oriental medical journals, and is working on a book on immunology and Chinese medicine. In 1999, he was elected as a Fellow of the National Academy of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine, an organization of scholars and senior practitioner/teachers in the profession.

Thanks for checking in!

- James

Apr

8

Hey, everyone. If  you’ve been thinking, “Hmm…he said he would be posting more, yet it’s been almost two weeks!” you would be right. I’m just back from some vacation time with my family. Now it’s time to get back into the swing of things, so here we go.

Thanks to everyone who has contributed a name for our Russian blend. We have extended the contest through this Friday for another round of tasting and dialing in the blend. So, if you haven’t contributed a name idea and you want to, there is still time. If you have already submitted one or more, feel free to keep them coming as there is no limit.

Okay, stay tuned for more cool things, like an upcoming event happening next week! Details in a minute.

Thanks so much for checking in!

- James