Do you know how important your feedback is? We want to hear from you! For the month of July, Discover Teas is running a promotion to get online product reviews. Pick your favorite Discover Teas and tell people what you think, what’s your experience. Each product review submitted on our website will be an entry into a raffle! Our giveaway is the newly released Steep & Go cold infusion system by Steepware plus a house blend of your choice. Up your chances of winning by reviewing as many items as you want.

So why the promotion? As an online consumer, I am always inclined to read reviews from other customers in making a purchase decision. Does it do what it says it does? Does it live up to expectations? How was the experience? Basically, will my money be well spent. By leaving product reviews on Discover Teas, you are assisting other shoppers who are considering buying that tea. Sharing your experience is influential in their decision making process. It really does help to hear from others!

So is it Black and Blue Monk as a summertime iced tea; Holiday Orange Zest for sharing at Thanksgiving; Sleepeeze for finally getting a good nights sleep; or the exquisite tea experience of King Hsuan Oolong that took your tea enthusiasm to the next level? Please take this opportunity to let the world know about all your favorites and why. We really appreciate it! And remember, you could win the raffle prize!

Ken and I went to this year’s World Tea Expo in May, and what a fabulous time we had! There were so many highlights during that trip, but one of my favorite parts was to be able to witness several tea ceremonies performed. Each one had its own unique ritual and quality to it. The beauty expressed brought tears to my eyes and touched my heart.

The first one performed on the first day was a Chinese oolong tea ceremony. Preparing an exquisitely rare oolong, using a tea set carved from soapstone from the Wu Yi Mountains where the oolong is grown, the tea master meticulously brewed steep after steep. It was fascinating as he talked us through what he was doing and why. Each tool, each movement, each pour has a name and purpose. Even more exciting was that we were able to later visit him at his booth and share cups of that delicious oolong with him!

On the second day, a beautiful Japanese tea ceremony was performed in traditional full dress. She was obviously well versed in the preparation and serving of matcha. It was very much about being of service and honoring guests. The grace and ease of motion was like watching a slow creek run over smooth river rocks. I don’t remember a word being said if there was any; life seemed to stand still in silence.

Scheduled on the third day was the Korean tea ceremony. The stage was set with gorgeous furnishings, and as it began, out came a line of beautifully dressed women of all ages in traditional Korean attire. The tea master was the one preparing the tea armed with a slew of equipment along with assistants to help serve her guests as well as some audience members. Even a few treats were handed out to compliment the tea. Again, each motion was an expression of service, poise, and a practice in perfection.

Each ceremony had different tools to prepare the tea, different garments celebrating their culture, movements flowing in different directions, and specific etiquette in serving guests. However, more poignant for me was that they all had the love, sharing, and honoring of tea in common. That love of tea threaded them all together in my memory, reminding me once again of the elevating power of tea.