To the tea pluckers, farmers, managers, exporters/importers, retailers, and wholesalers:

My passion for tea extends beyond taste and health.  It’s because of your efforts that millions of tea drinkers get to enjoy a daily cuppa.  Your efforts pour more than tea into our lives and for that I thank you.  Our diversity is celebrated with each sip.  I’m proud to promote tea and tea related products because I’m proud of you.

Sincerely,

Marty

marTEA.com

I was listening to Thich Nhat Hanh the other day, and I realized that the joy I get from inhaling the aroma of tea and savoring the flavor was my way of achieving mindfulness.  By enjoying the flavors and the scent of the tea, I was able to get my mind and body to become one.  Enjoying a cup of tea (or tea-like beverage) is an excellent way to live in the present moment.  I use aroma cups to trap the scent of the tea.  After I enjoy the scent of the tea, I pour the tea into a tasting cup.  From there, you drink it as normal.  In addition, it’s fun to imagine where the tea was grown and how it was processed.  Breathing and simultaneously enjoying the aroma and flavors is very relaxing.  I don’t remind myself every time I drink tea that it is healthy.  After you start drinking tea regularly, it reminds you that it is healthy.  It’s important to take 10-15 minutes a day to relax – tea is my therapy I guess.  Obviously I’m not the first to think of this, for centuries many cultures have been using tea as a way to relax and achieve mindfulness.  I just jumped on the bandwagon.

marTEA

When is tea time? As long as the clock ticks and the earth spins, it’s tea time – marTEA

I can’t believe it’s been nearly two years since I started my journey into the world of tea.  I’ve met some great people along the way, and I’ve been able to experience a lot of excellent teas and tea related products.  I’ve been to two World Tea Expos, and my blogs are linked on some very popular sites.  When I started marTEA.com, my focus was simply to challenge myself to learn more about a fascinating beverage – tea.  I’ve developed a passion for “the leaf” that transcends a tea hobby.  For those of you new to my blog my name is Marty – pleasure to meet you.  The name “marTEA” (Marty) just fit.  My goals for the next two years will be to continue reviewing and promoting tea products.  In addition, I want to travel the world and learn in a hands-on environment how tea is farmed, plucked, processed, auctioned, packaged, shipped, etc.  Ultimately, I’d like to use my passion and knowledge for tea to better the quality of living for those in need with a focused effort on taking care of our planet.  I have a lot of questions, and I’m ready to search for the answers.  I hope you continue to join me along the way.

marTEA