Learn what Tieguanyin is, how Qing Xiang and Chuan Tong styles differ, what Gao Shan means, how to brew it gongfu style, and how to explore the cultivar through NYTS teas.

Chapter One | The House of Coffee I was born in Bronx, NY in a Puerto Rican household where coffee wasn't just a drink — it was a religion. Both my parents each drank about three cups before they even thought of starting their day. Three cups…minimum! Each! Before breakfast! Before any conversation! Before any acknowledgement that the rest of the world existed! The aroma wasn’t just present; it took over the house, settling into curtains, clothes, and my memory. And, I grew to dislike it. Not...

Ever since I began my tea journey, I have anticipated a fated trip to Yunnan, and within Yunnan specifically, I looked forward to a visit to Lao Ban Zhang. Truthfully, I was never certain that the opportunity would arise, so I was living a dream when I sat in a car on my way to Lao Ban Zhang. The drive up the mountain was exactly how I had envisioned it. The road was rocky, bumpy, and winding—a dirt road that would cause many to feel nauseous before arriving at the famous gates of the...