As a journalist, the Tea Examiner is more accustomed to conducting interviews than being interviewed. But Wednesday, September 8, at 7:30 Pacific time, the tables will be turned. Lainie Petersen will be interviewing me on her Lainie Sips podcast. You will be able to tune in on your computer by going here.
Lainie is the Chicago Tea Examiner for Examiner.com, but she is also a well known tea blogger and a great tea enthusiast. She knows her tea, as most people in the worldwide tea community know. She also writes the tea blog, Lainie Sips. She is a fine writer in her own right and one whose work I read as often as I can.
Lainie will be interviewing me about tea writing, tea trends, and tea in general. This should be interesting since she and I share some views but have different views on some subjects. For example, she refers to herbal teas as tisanes, while I prefer the term herbal tea.
Hopefully we will get around to talking about some of our favorite teas. We have both recently experienced the newly released Zealong from the Chicago Tea Garden. It would be interesting to compare our taste notes.
Whatever we talk about, I am sure we will have a lot of fun and share some good information. If you would like to call in and join us by asking a question, the phone number is (347) 215-8528. Make yourself a nice pot of tea, find a comfortable chair, turn on your computer, and join in. We will be expecting you.If you would like to receive E-mail alerts when there are new articles published on Tea Examiner, please subscribe. If you would like to say something about this article, please use the comment box. If you have a question to ask, a suggestion to make, or a product you would like to have reviewed, please contact me.
Please do not forget, at Tea Examiner, we are looking for your reviews on where to drink tea in your area. You can contact me at the above contact link. We only have one entry so far, so we really need your help.
Comments
What great news! I will be listening on my computer, although I don't know that I'll be able to call in and ask a question. Should be a great interview!
I've gotcha on the calendar! Won't be able to listen real-time, so will listen later. It will be interesting discussion, methinks. How about this topic? "Tea connoisseurship and single-origin, pure leaf vs a plethora of flavored blends -- a true dichotomy?"
I'll be doing gongfu chadao, sometimes called the Chinese tea ceremony, for the San Antonio Herb Society on September 9th (Examiner article to be posted soon). Training my assistants on the previous day, which is why I can't listen real-time. You go get it done, though, Margaret and Lainie! I'm subscribed to both of you and looking forward to the synergy you'll get going. The notes comparison on the Zealong is a great idea.
Hi Dax and Elizabeth. Dax, how the interview topics are up to Lainie. I do not know if we will get into that much depth. She did say "tea trends" and I have been thinking about how the majority of new teas coming out seem to be flavored of blends with herbals. I happen to enjoy pure tea the most, but there are some blends and flavored teas, particularly those by The Tea Spot that I enjoy.
Believe it or not, Celestial Seasonings has some flavored green teas that are really delicious, also.
However, when I think of "tea" my first thought is of tea without added flavors.
ESP Emporium also has some really good green tea blended with botanical elements. Tea's Ect. has a Key Lime Coconut black tea that is incredibly delicious. I would not want to miss out on any of those. Kusmi makes primarily Russian-style teas which inherently have fruits, spices, and flowers.Their Christmas blends are wonderful.
Still, the Zealong, from Chicago Tea Garden was one of the best things I have ever put in my mouth.
Dilmah's line of single estate Ceylon teas is incredible. And there are many more pure teas that are lovelier than anything my imagination could ever come up with.
I think the rise of the flavored teas might be due to the pressure of always coming up with a new product to compete in the open market. Any company wants something no one else has.
I think there is room for all kinds of tea because there is such a variety of tastes out there.
Oh, and if you cannot listen live, the podcast will be available for download later.
But
Back from 3 great weeks in England, with family.
Welcome home, Susan. Hope you had a lovely trip and had a cream "tea" with decaffeinated coffee with your daughter. The irony of that has tickled me ever since you told me.
Our presentation went well Thursday night. I'm back online; downloaded the podcast today. The last half was especially interesting and informative for me. One line, though, stood out above the others. "I'm sorry, Lipton, but that's the truth!" will live on in my memory as Margaret's call to arms (or spoons?) for better quality and variety in tea for all Americans!
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