Cult of Quality (Page 8)

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Why we brew – Constructs for understanding, Part 2

This is part 2 in the “Why we Brew” series of posts. [Part 1 is here] These posts are my writings on why we brew tea, and how we can understand the practice of ourselves and others. I hope this can be a conversation, and I would greatly appreciate your

Why we brew – Constructs for understanding, Part 1

Finally, back to tea and academia! This next series of posts are my writings on why we brew tea, and how we can understand the practice of ourselves and others. I hope this can be a conversation, and I would greatly appreciate your comments, suggestions questions, and clarifications. – Jason Individuals

Almost Extreme ChaXi – Seneca Rocks

Another Climbing Adventure! My friend, roommate, and climbing partner, the ineffable Andreas and I spent the first half of Thanksgiving Break climbing Seneca Rocks in West Virginia. It was awesome. Unsurprisingly for the end of November, it was also cold! Seneca is far more wild than the lovely Gunks, filled

Good News everyone!

An Okapi is born! Now to get my self to Belgium; I’d like a side of pomme frites with that Kosher steak. – Jason

Thoughts on Classifying Teas

This will be a quick post lacking the photos and reference links in most of my diatribes… The Tea Institute works on a semester lecture cycle, where our new students (prospective researchers) join one of our 3 tea ceremony clubs (Chinese, Japanese, or Korean), learn a ceremony up to a

ChaXi at Poe Paddy State Park

While Pennsylvania may have a low Okapi Count, making it difficult for me to find proper Kosher stakes, the state has a un-surprising glut of beautiful and well kept secrets. Just when Asia started to wear off of my mind, and as I was starting to think State College

Sourcing Water with a ChaXi

What water you use to brew your tea has a huge effect on its flavor, as has been repeated ad nauseum in books and blogs as a source of wisdom, improvement, and importance. And it does. Spring water isn’t magical (so they say), but a proper balance of minerality,

Extreme ChaXi: Climbing at the Gunks

What does it mean to be a climber? What does it mean to accept and face the risk inherit to scaling walls of stone that normal human beings would wisely not tread near (least cling to)? Does it mean you’re cool or brave? Does it mean you’re young

What it takes: Barista Cup

4:00 AM. The streets of Miami are dark. A loan beacon of light stands out of the twilight haze. I drive, sleepily, towards the light. Panther coffee is deserted save for Ryan Hall, Camilla Ramos (2012 South East Region Barista Finalist), and myself. I’m here to help Ryan

Application of Knowledge: Cups

I spend far too much time at Panther Coffee, as I’ve mentioned before, using it as my office and a source of (almost) infinite energy. I still drink tea in the mornings, and at night but most of the rest of my days in Miami are spent sipping coffee