Floating Leaves Tea

Floating Leaves Tea episodes:

• 05.20.2024

  Reading Tea Leaves

  This episode we get deep into 'reading' tea leaves, or watching very carefully to know what the leaves want from us as brewers.

  
• 05.06.2024

  Let Tea Brew Itself

  This episode we carry on from the previous stopping point : As we experiment with brewing new teas, how do we know if a flaw in the tea is coming from the tea or the brewing technique? So we took...

  
• 04.25.2024

  The Intention Experiment

  In this episode we carry out an experiment comparing two brews that are exactly the same in all parameters except for the focus of our intention. We were absolutely floored by the results!

  
• 04.11.2024

  Tea Cups : Quality

  Shiuwen, John and Noah compare grades of porcelain in gongfu tea cups, and investigate what each cup does to a tea.

  
• 03.28.2024

  Tea Cup Materials

  We're back! First episode in the new Tea Studio! We're starting with an easy experiment, but also a very useful one : tasting tea out of different materials like glass, mass produced ceramic mugs and porcelain etc. Join us and...

  
• 08.07.2023

  Drinking Old Tree White Tea from Yunnan

  This is a little interim episode with no video component while John is away. We've been wanting to record a session with this tea for about a year now, and although we're very close to sold out of it now,...

  
• 07.24.2023

  What’s Your Intention?

  In this episode we explore how we go about setting our intention and adjusting for the tea in this ever changing moment.

  
• 07.10.2023

  Self Expression Through Gongfu Cha

  This episode we explore ways to build understanding and express our vision of what a tea can be.

  
• 06.26.2023

  Techniques For Brewing Oriental Beauty

  There's finally a tea in our lineup that we're using lower than boiling temperature water! Special Reserve Oriental Beauty. In this episode we talk about how we approach this tea and tell stories about our first encounters with it.

  
• 06.12.2023

  Making Adjustments For Special Teas

  This episode was inspired by (1) John's question about how to make adjustments for different teas and (2) our experience of how to get the most out of our batch of Charcoal Dong Ding that was roasted in December of...

  
• 05.23.2023

  Waking Up Aged Oolong

  We find aged tea is one of the more difficult styles to brew well. In this episode we explore some techniques that help to show the best side of an aged tea.

  
• 05.08.2023

  Being Present with Your Tea

  We're back!! In the first episode of season three, Johnny and Shiuwen will be experimenting with the harnessing of intention to brew a better (or worse) pot of tea.

  
• 12.12.2022

  Tea Class with Shiuwen | Finale

  This episode we just sit back and drink an epic puer tea harvested from 1000 year old tea tree.

  
• 11.28.2022

  Tea Class with Shiuwen | John Brews ANOTHER Pot of Tea

  John's second time to switch places with Shiuwen and show off all his tea brewing techniques that we've been working on this whole season!

  
• 11.14.2022

  Tea Class with Shiuwen | Techniques for Refreshing Stale Tea

  The long awaited follow up to 'Techniques for Identifying Stale Tea', this episode is all about the tools and techniques we use to push staleness out of an older tea.

  
• 10.31.2022

  Tea Class with Shiuwen | Practicing Connection While The Tea is Brewing

  Recently we've been talking a lot about the 'opening movement' of tea brewing: Pouring water into the pot and the many details contained therein that effect the final brew. This episode we delve into the less obvious 'middle movement', or...

  
• 10.17.2022

  Tea Class with Shiuwen | Tasting for Agrochemicals

  This episode we compare two high mountain oolongs, one grown with agrochemicals and one from an organic tea garden. Shiuwen teaches John, and the listeners, the tricks for picking up on agrochemicals in your cup.

  
• 10.03.2022

  Tea Class with Shiuwen | Deeper Techniques in Water Flow

  More on water flow. We learned last time on the Waterfall vs Whirlpool episode that the way you choose to pour water into a pot of tea changes the outcome. This time we are exploring more fine details on how...

  
• 09.19.2022

  Tea Class with Shiuwen | Tea Tools : Sharing Pitcher / Gongdao Bei

  Today we talk about a tea tool that goes by many names : sharing pitcher, fairness cup, gongdao bei, cha hai. It is used with the best intentions, to make sure everyone is drinking the same taste at the same...

  
• 09.05.2022

  Tea Class with Shiuwen | The Hidden Parameter in Tea Brewing : Waterfall

  When we talk about the parameters of tea brewing, it's not uncommon to think of water temperature, amount of tea and timing. But there is a hidden parameter that we all must execute to pull out a good cup of...

  
• 08.22.2022

  Tea Class with Shiuwen | ”Jet-Lag” or ”Bound Up” Tea

  Most teas undergo an acclimation period after shipping, especially long distances (like when we get new products in from farmers and roasters in Taiwan). This quick episode John and Shiuwen taste a roasted oolong that is in jet lag mode.

  
• 08.08.2022

  Tea Class with NOAH | PNW Charcoal Roasted Oolong

  In this episode, Noah shares some of his own charcoal roasted oolongs with John, and they compare the raw version with the finished product.

  
• 07.25.2022

  Tea Class with Shiuwen | Getting to Know a New Tea

  Shiuwen tells the story of how a new tea took some getting used to, and how she approaches unknown variables in tea brewing.We don’t have any sample available for this episode, but we hope you’ll practice these ideas when you...

  
• 07.11.2022

  Tea Class with Shiuwen | John Brews a Pot of Tea

  This episode John brewed a pot of tea for us! This is the first in a series of John brewing, on the other side of the table. To join the class and learn from these episodes, you can brew this tea...

  
• 06.27.2022

  Tea Class with Shiuwen | Recognizing Cha Qi with Smelling Cups

  This episode is all about using smelling cups to explore more deeply into the scent. We also identify the meaning of Cha Qi, and how Cha Qi manifests in the scent.   To join the class and learn from these episodes, you...

  
• 06.13.2022

  Tea Class with Shiuwen | Techniques for Identifying Stale Tea Pt. 2

  Oolong tea does not go bad, but it does go stale if stored improperly, or for a very long time. In this episode, we taste the same Tie Guanyin oolong tea, one stored properly and one improperly. John and Shiuwen identify...

  
• 06.06.2022

  Tea Class with Shiuwen | Techniques for Identifying Stale Tea Pt. 1

  Oolong tea does not go bad, but it does go stale if stored improperly or for a very long time. In this episode, Shiuwen offers John a few techniques to smell from the dry leaf if a tea is stale.   To...

  
• 05.23.2022

  Tea Class with Shiuwen | Tracing Tea’s Scent Inside The Body

  With higher grade teas, we are looking for more complexity in the scent. Not only how flavorful or how many notes it has, but also where the scent is felt in the body. This episode Shiuwen and John compare two...

  
• 05.09.2022

  Tea Class with Shiuwen | Brewing Basics : Timing #NoFear #MakeMistakes

  This episode Shiuwen and John explore the third main parameter of tea brewing : timing. How long does the water need to sit on the leaves? #NoFear #MakeMistakes   To join the class and learn from these episodes, you can drink this...

  
• 04.25.2022

  Tea Class with Shiuwen | The Breaking Point

  This episode we soak four black teas to see if they 'break' or not. A good tea will still show a sense of structure and movement, even if it's brewed to the point of unpleasantness. We are using two of...

  
• 04.11.2022

  Tea Class with Shiuwen | Brewing Basics : Finding Your ”Golden Ratio”

  This class we will be exploring different leaf-to-water ratios to see if there is really such a thing as proper recipes. To join the class and learn from these episodes, you can drink these exact teas and answer Shiuwen's guiding questions...

  
• 03.28.2022

  Tea Class with Shiuwen | Fundamentals of Tasting : Noticing New Sensations of Roasted Oolong

  In this tea class, Shiuwen guides John to notice the various places in the mouth and body where roasted oolong can produce unique sensations and textures. To join the class and learn from these episodes, you can drink these exact teas...

  
• 03.12.2022

  Tea Class with Shiuwen | Brewing Basics : Get The Most Out Of Premium Oolong With Boiling Water

  Shiuwen offers a tea class on the ‘correct' brewing temperature for oolong tea. Is it ok to boil green oolong?   To join the class and learn from these videos, you can drink these exact teas and answer Shiuwen's guiding questions...

  
• 02.28.2022

  Season 2 : Tea Class with Shiuwen PREMIER | Fundamentals of Tasting : BASIC vs PREMIUM Green Oolong

  Shiuwen of Floating Leaves offers a tea class on the defining characteristics that make green oolong more basic or more premium. Focus is on experiential learning. To join the class and learn from these episodes, you can drink these exact teas...

  
• 12.28.2021

  The Next Generation of Tea Tasters

  Shiuwen invites special guests, some "random middle school boys", for a holiday special episode! T   his is also the last episode of our retroactively named Season 1. We will be taking a short break, and will see you again in 2022!   Find...

  
• 12.14.2021

  Oolongs with the Oolong Owl | Tea Blogger

  Tea blogger Oolong Owl visits the shop for some strong pots of epic oolong.   Check Out Oolong Owl's Blog : https://oolongowl.com/   Tea Teas : Eight Roast Dong Ding Lala Shan Hong Shui Taman Shan 'Empress Dowager'

  
• 11.29.2021

  Drinking Teas the Surprised Me with Steve | Tea Friend

  Long time tea friend of Floating Leaves, the infamous Steve, joins Shiuwen and Noah to drink some teas that struck us by surprise!   The Teas :   Sun Solstice Oolong   Charcoal Roast Ruby 18   Lalashan Hong Shui   Find our teas at https://floatingleaves.com

  
• 11.15.2021

  Tea Class with Young Johnny | Student of Tea

  Shiuwen sits down to answer some of John's questions about tea tasting: What it means for a tea to be 'open' or, conversely, 'bound up'.    The Tea    1998 Iron Cask Aged Dong Ding (brewed 3X's)   Find our teas at https://floatingleaves.com

  
• 11.01.2021

  Warrior Teas with Kim Ivy | Taichi Instructor

  Founder of Embrace the Moon School for Taichi and Qigong, Kim Ivy, joins Shiuwen for some potent teas.    Learn more about Kim's Taichi and Qigong dojo at https://embracethemoon.com/

  
• 10.18.2021

  Choosing Teas That Represent My Friends Timothy and Lewis | Artist, Painter

  Shiuwen chooses and shares two teas that represent her two friends Timothy and Lewis, Floating Leafers from the early days.   Find Timothy's work at https://timothysiciliano.com/   The Teas Wild Pinglin Baozhong Laughing Buddha (Yunnan High Mountain Oolong)

  
• 10.04.2021

  Roasted Oolong and Puer with Chris and Caitlin | Host of Tea Talks Podcast

  Fellow tea podcasters of Tea Talks join us for their first dive into Dong Ding plus other roasted oolong.   Check out Chris' podcast on Instagram @ckylum and find Caitlin @dishwench   The Teas :  House Oolong Charcoal Dong Ding 1998 Ripe Tuocha

  
• 09.20.2021

  Baozhong and Dong Ding with Matt | Tea Newbie

  Shiuwen invites our friend and budding tea connoisseur Matt for an oolong introduction.   Link to full video episode : https://youtu.be/3QabhFyAPsY   The Teas Competition Style Baozhong Dong Ding Traditional A

  
• 09.06.2021

  Yunnan Oolong

  A great tea! This is an upcoming release, an oolong tea grown in the high mountain region of Wuliang Shan in Yunnan province (home of puer tea). We had a great session capped off with a brief conversation about tea...

  
• 08.23.2021

  Return to the Land of Milk & Honey

  Excellent session with Milk and Honey oolong. Plus a conversation on water temperature and tea brewing.

  
• 08.16.2021

  Loofah!

  Welcome to Floating Leaves, your local loofah emporium! Buy a loofah for your teapot, for your friends' teapots and even for your enemy's teapot. It's good for you!! *Also, Shiuwen wanted to make sure we made this correction : She did...

  
• 08.09.2021

  16th Anniversary of Floating Leaves!

  We drank a delicious Eight Roast Dong Ding for the 16th anniversary of Floating Leaves which occurred on 8/8.

  
• 08.02.2021

  Crabby Mama

  Last week we went back to visit an 'old friend', a tea that we've tasted many times and are just finding out new things about it. This time we visited a 'new friend', also a Furry Crab, and from the...

  
• 07.26.2021

  Visiting an Old Friend

  This session we tasted Furry Crab, an oolong we've been drinking for a while now, but one that is showing a new face in the last month or so.

  
• 07.19.2021

  Playing With Pots

  This episode we tried out some of our new Yixing and Taiwanese Wood Fired teapots. We use Dong Ding Traditional A as a base and branch out depending on how the Dong Ding tastes.

  
• 07.05.2021

  Overnight Roasted Oolong

  This session we drank a new batch of Charcoal Dong Ding that I brought back from Taiwan. It was roasted in a special way to produce a very unique feel for Dong Ding tea. WE LOVE IT! We're going to...