FAQ
Questions that you, or someone you know has asked:
Q: I love the site, and have a suggestion about improving it. Can I contact you?
A: Sure. Suggestions are always welcome. Leave a comment on this page or send me email: jasonowalker@gmail.com
Q: Don’t bore me with research results. Which tea is best for you?
A: All teas offer benefits. There haven’t been enough studies done to say that one kind is “best.”
Q: What kind of water should I use to make tea?
A: You want clean, filtered water without chlorine. Your basic Pur or Brita should suffice most of the time. You don’t want 99.999% pure. You need a few trace minerals or your tea will be flat. Don’t over boil your water either. Aim for the crab-eye size bubbles to form. That’s a good starting point.
Q: What teaware should I use?
A: I avoid plastics, and I try to avoid metal strainers and metal infusers. I’ve never been a fan of combining plastics and hot liquids regardless of the latest lab test on food-safe plastics. I don’t want to fuss over stained strainers/teaware either. I go for clay or porcelain. I use gaiwans, tasting cups, and yixing pots.
Q: I’m new to tea, and don’t know what teas I’ll like. How do I choose some starter teas?
A: Start with the classics, even if you’re not sure you’ll like them. Many people find that their tastes change over time. Expose yourself to several teas you’ll like now, and lay the groundwork for when your palate changes. Taste pure, real teas, not flavored ones. Try these 10, and you will be on your way to building your tea palate:
- Dragonwell
- Silver Needle
- Li Shan Oolong
- Darjeeling (2nd Flush)
- Shui Xian Oolong
- Oriental Beauty or Formosa Oolong
- Sencha
- Assam (2nd Flush)
- Liu An Gua Pian
- Keemun
Q: I have other questions you haven’t answered. What do I do?
A: Leave a question in the comments for this page. That will get you input from me and other readers. You can ask me directly at (yep, you guessed it): jasonowalker@gmail.com.
Q: I’m a big fan, and want to follow your every move. Where do you live- erh, I mean, how can I find out more?
A: Look for me on Twitter (jasonowalker) or the Facebook group Walker Tea Review.
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Christina (christeana@whale-mail.com) recently sent me this question, and I thought it useful to share:
I just found your website, and twitter, about a week ago. It’s a fantastic resource, and I appreciate it very much.
Considering taking the STI series of classes. Have you got an opinion on them one way or another? Is it better to strike out on my own and learn from more sources? I am hoping for accurate information, and assistance in evaluation. It’s all to aid my own appreciation and share correct info with friends and family.
She thanked me for a reasoned and useful response which I provided:
First off, unless you have the resources to travel to several places of origin, a certification course is likely to most efficiently deliver accurate info. Much of the tea literature available is still peppered with inaccuracies. Without background experience, it can be hard to discern the real pearls of knowledge.
On the other hand, while STI is gaining in credibility in the tea industry, many of the seasoned tea industry leaders do not have a certification from there. STI and other institutions are still competing to determine which is the “industry recognized.” If STI loses this competition over the next few yrs, your credential may carry less weight.
Also, few people outside the tea industry know of the STI certification, so it may not give you much street cred.
Any suggestions as to where I can get a Glass Tea Thermos?
Love your website.
Hi Judie, I’m still looking. Most companies are moving away from glass because of breakage concern. Another alternative is a BPA free travel mug like those you can get from Teas Etc.
Judie- have you seen this one from Teavana? Does it fit the bill, or are you looking for other features? http://www.teavana.com/Tea-Products/Tea-Cups-Mugs/Travel-Tea-Cups/Teavana-Tea-Rhapsody-Glass-Tea-Tumbler.axd
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