Revisiting the Harney & Sons Black Currant tea that we featured in the Tea Showdown in January.

Today’s Tea Term:

Flush : The new growth at the end of a branch or shoot. Also refers to the harvest time – first flush is early, second flush is in late spring, etc.

(source)

STeaP received samples for review from Boulder Dushanbe Teahouse. Keep an eye out on our tea schedule to see when we’ll be trying out these new teas, and order yourself some samples if you’d like to try with us. :)

http://boulderteahouse.com

Valentines Day is approaching. You didn’t think STeaP forgot, did you?

OHHH, no.

We are prepared, and will be bringing you some special love teas, along with special effects never before seen on STeaP (i.e. candles, in case you were able to get *too* excited). Get yourselves ready for Monday’s “Two Cups of Love,” Episode #22 from Joe and Brandice!

Have you been checking in occasionally on our Viddler group for STeaP? We have these awesome videos that any of you can do called TeaToday Videos. Throw your short tea-related video up on the group with a “TeaToday” tag and you may find yourself featured on our blog.

Here are links to some recent TeaTodays from STeaP fans:

Laura drinks PG Tips English Breakfast: http://www.viddler.com/explore/LauraDameeks/videos/95/
Michelle tries Rishi Jade Cloud Green Tea: http://www.viddler.com/explore/BerryGirl/videos/10/
Gamwyn sips the East Frisian Blend: http://www.viddler.com/explore/gamwyn/videos/79/
Laura’s Kombucha adventures: http://www.viddler.com/explore/LauraDameeks/videos/91/
Greysection tries Tazo Green Ginger: http://www.viddler.com/explore/greysection/videos/11/
Chris tests his TriniTEA’s water capacity: http://www.viddler.com/explore/masto/videos/91/

Joe and Brandice try the Upton Pu-Erh, a fermented/aged tea. We don’t really know a lot about pu-erh, but this particular tea seems to have an enthusiastic following, and can taste very different, depending on age. Chair at A Tasty Beverage did a review of some pu-erh teas as well, and we’ve rounded up some informational links on pu-erh for those of you who may be as new to this type of tea as we are:

Pu-Erh Wikipedia // Pu-Erh.net // Pu-Erh on About.com

Have any of YOU tried pu-erh? Tell us what you think, and be sure to keep an eye on STeaPtv.com for all of our STeaP updates.

The Great Tea Exchange

LiveJournal is generally a great place to generate conversation about specific interests, so I am a member of several tea communities. Recently, a new one caught my interest, because it involves the actual exchange of tea with a special tea penpal. From their community description:

This is is a community for tea lovers to share their favorite teas with other members, as well as make friends/penpals! This will work just like any penpal community – post an intro, comment on ones that interest you and exchange info between yourselves. You can work out what you want to send between you. =)

Please only accept penpals/swap partners if you are serious about sending mail. There’s nothing worse than penpals who never write back! =(

Are you interested in finding some tea penpals? If so, hop over to LiveJournal’s Great Tea Exchange and swap some teas. :)