Modern Tea Culture
A Journey into Modern Tea
Welcome to Modern Tea Culture, your online destination for exploring the complex and ever-evolving world of tea. Tea has always been more than just a drink; it’s a bridge that connects people and cultures together across the globe. We aim to examine the rich cultural significance of tea across regions, blending historical knowledge with insights into modern developments.
We invite you to discover the fascinating folklore of tea with us as we seek to understand its connections to contemporary tea culture. Along the way, we’ll introduce you to the people of tea—the farmers, artisans, and enthusiasts—whose passion and dedication bring this ancient tradition to life.
We’ll journey into modern innovations in tea agriculture, production, blending, and preparation methods, all while honoring their deep-rooted past.
Join us as we explore how tea is integrated into kitchens and used behind the bar across the world, celebrating the artistry and rituals that set this exceptional plant apart from other botanical ingredients.
We’ll take you into centuries-old traditions, illuminating how the past continues to influence our modern tea rituals. Experience the bustling energy of global tea markets and uncover how ancient trade routes still shape how we source, buy, and sell tea today.
Modern Tea Culture invites you to experience the rich diversity of tea, its cultural significance, and the connections it fosters among people everywhere.
Start your week steeped in tea culture | new posts every Sunday at 10pm est
Matcha Shortage, or a Market Correction? (Part Two)
Part Two
Tea has always been reshaped by the cultures that embraced it. From the Song dynasty’s dian cha to the Japanese Way of Tea, powdered teas have carried both artistry and reinvention. In this second part of our series on the state of matcha in the U.S., I trace the lineage of whisked tea, recall a haunting bowl of powdered white tea prepared in New York, and reflect on how history shapes the way we understand matcha today.
Matcha Shortage, or a Market Correction? (Part One)
Part One
The world wants more matcha than Japan can give. Harvests are down, tencha prices have tripled, and even the largest companies are struggling to secure supply. In this first part of our article of the current state of matcha in the U.S., I reflect on Japan’s difficult harvest season, my own journey with tea, and the tension between reverence and creativity, from the purity of a whisked bowl to the sweetness of a Miami Chai Matcha Latte.
Easy to Remember This Day
Over the past week, Miami has endured a stretch of rain and electrified thunder, the kind of weather I don’t recall seeing in years. I am grateful it is not a hurricane. Still, the deluge lingers longer than welcome. The weight of this weather, together with the state of America and the quiet start to the season, draws my mind back to travels I am still processing.
Exactly one year ago this week, I was navigating a challenging yet expansive visit to Hanoi during one of the biggest storms in recent history to hit Vietnam.
Tea in the Time of Turbulence
Storms have always held a fascination for me—their intensity and unpredictability, a reminder of who truly holds power. As a child, storms felt like adventures, but as I grew older, they revealed their harsher side. From Hurricane Andrew to Typhoon Yagi, these experiences have reshaped how I approach them. Now, I turn to tea as a grounding ritual during chaotic times. Explore my tea essentials and meditation techniques to find calm amid the storm. Discover how tea can be a source of warmth, balance, and shelter in nature’s most tumultuous moments.
The Honeymoon is Over
There are so many things I could write about today. This recent trip to Vietnam was one of the most expansive experiences of my life, but I need time to fully integrate all the thoughts, feelings, and insights I gathered over the past few weeks. Today, being the Autumn Equinox, feels like the perfect time to pause and reflect, not only on the external journey but on the internal one too. The equinox, a moment of balance between light and dark, mirrors my own need to find balance after this intense period of tea travel.
Typhoon in a Tea Cup
Over a week ago, I set off for my autumn adventure to Vietnam. I envisioned traveling through different regions, searching for tea and new mountain experiences. I imagined breathing in the fresh mountain air, rejuvenating my lungs after a year of Miami’s humidity. I was eager to reconnect with tea people, immerse myself in Vietnam’s evolving tea culture, and witness how much had changed since my last trip.
But life, and Mother Nature often remind you who’s really the big boss.
Cultivating Seeds in the Storm
Arriving in Hanoi with a typhoon in tow, the storm has become a fitting backdrop for reflection. This trip is more than sourcing tea, it’s about cultivating the seeds we plant in our lives. Growth doesn’t always happen in perfect conditions, but that’s part of the beauty.
Everything in Its Right Place
The gradual shift into Autumn always brings a sense of excitement for me. As the softness of summer wanes, an electric energy begins to course through my veins.
It’s always been like this—perhaps something hardwired into our being, preparing for the hard work of the harvest season before the winter's rest. But living in Miami doesn’t quite allow for that pause—it's season, baby, and there's no end to the opportunities that the harvest will bring.
So, I prepare.
Parallel Paths
Genmaicha & Chicory Coffee | Discover the surprising connection between two iconic beverages from opposite sides of the world, Japanese genmaicha and New Orleans’ chicory coffee. Explore their rich histories, born out of resilience and adaptation, and how they continue to be cherished traditions today. Whether you're a tea lover or a coffee enthusiast, this story of unlikely connections will inspire and intrigue.
Welcome to Modern Tea Culture
Just as a tree grows and its branches reach out to new horizons, this blog represents new growth—a place where the roots of my past intertwine with the present. Here, I’ll share the thoughts, ideas, and materials that are shaping my upcoming literary projects. My goal is to connect with you on a deeper level, offering not just insights into the what, but the why of the world of tea.