by David Campbell | May 3, 2020 | General, Issues, Taiwanese Tea History
The Prologue Being in semi-quarantine for nearly two months affects the mind. Now that’s not news you say; clearly, it’s the case. Yes but, one is given to ponder the most fundamental and complex of human questions, the ontological and epistemological foundations of...
by David Campbell | Apr 1, 2018 | General, Issues
And the Winner is… At a recent judging event, a GABA tea garnered first place in the oolong category beating out such well-established oolongs as a Roasted Jin Xuan and a Dahong Pao.[1] A great result for a GABA tea, but is something rotten in the state of tea...
by David Campbell | Jan 1, 2018 | Issues
Gross Profit Indeed Retail margins in the specialty tea business are obscene! There, I said it. And here’s why? Consumers are paying far too much for tea on which growers and producers, and especially the field and factory workers, are receiving far too little....
by David Campbell | Dec 1, 2017 | Issues
It just makes my kettle boil Recently I posted an observation to an online group and asked for comments. The observation was that, in Taiwan, nearly everyone I encounter (growers, producers, vendors and tea houses) brews oolong tea with boiling water. [1] The...
by David Campbell | Oct 1, 2017 | Issues
“We welcome you to Munchkin land” Everybody is claiming it: “My teas are authentic…,” “authenticity is our watchword…,” “we are 100% authentic….” These claims just go on and on[1]. But what on earth does “authentic”...
by David Campbell | Sep 1, 2017 | Issues
“With My Own Two Hands” HARPER “Handmade!” Producers and vendors love to tout the handmade quality of their teas. But does this make a difference? Are handmade teas any better than those made by machine? Does anyone really care? And what is meant by...
