The Magic of a Perfect Cup of Tea

When it comes to self-care, nothing beats pausing for a beautiful cup of tea—and so today’s show is dedicated to the fine art of brewing said cup. I’ve got a bonafide expert, Shiuwen Tai, sharing her beautiful insights.  But first, I spend a little time sharing about something I love—jigsaw puzzles! Utterly pointless, right? But perhaps…that is the point! Puzzlers know nothing unkinks your neck and clears your mind better than putting together a sunset sky, or a still life, or some other serene, beautiful image. And what goes together better than puzzling along with a great cup of tea? Shiuwen’s store, Floating Leaves, is a Seattle institution when it comes to tea. Here’s what I learned in our informative chat: What oolong tea actually is The caffeine content in tea and why some (not all) can give you the jitters Chinese medicine and tea All about matcha—and how to make a matcha latte! (See below) We really dug into how to make a perfect cup, and why good quality tea is important. I even learned things about how picking tea is so critical to a great cup. I hope you enjoy! Sent with love,   Suzanne’s Matcha Latte recipe ¾ tsp Ceremonial grade matcha powder 1 cup of oatmilk Sweetener ¼ cup boiling water Boil water. Heat oat milk in a small pot. Pull out a small bowl and find your smallest whisk. (A really small one is best!) Mix matcha powder with water in the small bowl, whisking it for at least 20 seconds so it’s very foamy. Pour it in a cup and add sweetener. When oatmilk heats to a frothy head on the stove, turn it off and pour it on top of matcha in cup. Voila! As good as a Peet’s or a Starbucks! RESOURCES Puzzle Storage System How to Use Jigsaw Puzzles to Actually Keep Your Sanity Self-Care Course Shiuwen’s Online store, Floating Leaves FOR US Customers  For Non-US Customers,  Floating Leaves Tea Podcast Facebook Group MORE ABOUT SHIUWEN Shiuwen Tai grew up in Taiwan, where tea was simply a part of daily life. It was a way to bring friends together. She opened Floating Leaves Tea when she moved to Seattle, and tea developed a deeper significance for her—a connection to her home culture. Now she sees her position as a sort of bridge between East and West, sharing the simultaneously practical and abstract way the people of Taiwan see tea with an American audience.