Balance · Ritual · Connection

The Journal

Notes on balance, brewing and the leaves we source — a slow read for the ritual.

Why Does Tea Taste Different Across Multiple Infusions?
11 September 2026

Why Does Tea Taste Different Across Multiple Infusions?

The same tea can move from floral to fruity, sweet to mineral, or light to surprisingly deep across a single session. Here is why repeated infusions change and why I think that progression is one of the most interesting parts of loose-leaf tea.

  • Brewing Guides
  • Dark Tea
  • Gong Fu Tea
Why Rinse Pu’er Tea? What the First Pour Actually Does
26 August 2026

Why Rinse Pu’er Tea? What the First Pour Actually Does

Why do we rinse Pu’er tea before drinking it? I look at what that first quick pour actually does, how long to rinse Sheng and Shu Pu’er, and when I might skip it altogether.

  • Brewing Guides
  • Master Class
  • Pu’er Tea
What Are Golden Flowers? Eurotium cristatum: The Truth Behind Tea’s Most Misunderstood Treasure
19 July 2026

What Are Golden Flowers? Eurotium cristatum: The Truth Behind Tea’s Most Misunderstood Treasure

Golden Flowers are one of the most fascinating and misunderstood features of traditional Fu Brick tea. Often mistaken for mould, these tiny golden colonies of Eurotium cristatum are a valued part of the fermentation process in certain Hei Cha. Discover what they are, how they influence flavour, and why they represent a unique expression of tea rather than a measure of quality.

  • Golden Flowers
  • Master Class
  • Tea Culture
The Perfect Hei Cha Session: Gong Fu Style
17 July 2026

The Perfect Hei Cha Session: Gong Fu Style

Brewing Hei Cha gong fu style is less about following rigid timings and more about paying attention to how the tea develops. This guide explores leaf ratios, water temperature, rinsing, teaware and the changing flavour journey of Fu Cha, from gentle earthy notes to deep mineral sweetness.

  • Brewing Guides
  • Dark Tea
  • Golden Flowers