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Traveling Tea
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TeaFestPDX is a fun celebration of tea culture in Portland, Oregon. It started in 2017 and brings together tea lovers from around the world.
The festival features tea tastings, workshops, cultural experiences, and lots of different kinds of tea. It’s basically one giant tea party! This one, I had to attend twice.
The Sweet Tea Festival in Summerville, South Carolina, is such a fun celebration because the whole town comes together to celebrate something that feels very Southern—sweet tea! The festival has local food, music, vendors, shopping, and, of course, plenty of sweet tea. Summerville even calls itself the “Birthplace of
Sweet Tea,” so they definitely take their tea seriously!
One of my favorite fun facts is Mason, Summerville’s giant sweet-tea container. He stands over 15 feet tall and can hold an amazing 2,524 gallons of sweet tea! Summerville set the Guinness World Record for the largest sweet iced tea in 2016. Okay, that’s a lot of sweet tea—and pretty impressive to see in person!
When I visited matcha tea cafés in Victoria, BC, I had a lot of fun trying the different drinks and flavors they offered. I really enjoyed seeing how matcha can be used in so many different ways, from traditional tea to creamy lattes and sweet desserts. Each café had its own style, which made visiting them even more interesting.
I also learned that there are different varieties of matcha. Some matcha is smooth and mild, while others have a stronger, richer flavor that works really well in lattes. There is also culinary matcha, which is used for baking and desserts. Trying the different types helped me appreciate matcha more and made me want to keep exploring new flavors!
When I visited Los Angeles, CA, I had the chance to try turmeric tea lattes, and they were definitely something different from the usual tea drinks I’m used to. I liked the warm, creamy flavor and the beautiful golden color of the latte. It was fun trying something new and seeing how turmeric can be turned into such a comforting drink.
I also learned that turmeric lattes are sometimes called “golden milk” because of their bright yellow color. They are often made with turmeric, milk, a splash of orange juice and spices such as cinnamon, ginger, or black pepper. After trying them in Los Angeles, I could see why they have become such a popular café drink!
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When I visited the World Tea Expo in Las Vegas, Nevada, I was amazed by how many different kinds of tea and tea products were all in one place. It is a major gathering for tea professionals from around the world, with vendors, tea experts, tastings, educational sessions, and new tea products to discover. This Expo brought together people from across the tea industry at the Las Vegas Convention Center. World Tea Expo
One of the most fun parts for me was getting to taste teas from different places and learn how differently they can be prepared. There were also unique tea accessories, brewing equipment, matcha, herbal teas, and creative new tea products. It felt like walking through a huge playground for tea lovers, and I definitely left with new teas to try and a greater appreciation for how big and diverse the tea world really is!
One of the most exciting moments for me in Las Vegas was getting to meet Jane Pettigrew, the author of The World of Tea. It was such a special experience to meet someone who has spent so much of her life learning about and sharing the history and culture of tea. I was even more excited when she offered to sign my copy of her book for me! Having her autograph makes my book feel
like a special keepsake that I’ll always treasure.
The World of Tea takes readers on a journey through tea-growing countries around the world and explores the different types of tea, how they are produced, and the traditions and cultures behind them. Meeting Jane in person and having her sign my book made my tea journey to Las Vegas feel even more meaningful. It was definitely a moment I won’t forget!
My tea journey doesn’t stop when I leave a tea festival or café—it continues right in my own kitchen. I love trying different teas, experimenting with new flavors, and creating my own little tea moments at home. What started as a simple love for tea has turned into a fun journey of learning, tasting, and discovering something new with every cup.
One of my favorite parts of my tea journey was traveling from my old home in Sequim, Washington, by ferry to attend the Seattle Tea Festival—not just once, but twice! There was something special about making the trip, enjoying the beautiful ferry ride, and knowing
I was headed to a whole day surrounded by tea lovers.
I enjoyed the experience so much the first time that I knew I had to go back. Each trip gave me the chance to discover new teas, meet wonderful people, and learn more about the tea world. Looking back, those ferry rides to Seattle became a special part of my tea journey
that I will always remember.
Another special moment in my tea journey was getting to meet Kei Nishida in Seattle, the author of Cook with Matcha and Green Tea. He was so kind and welcoming, and of course I was thrilled when he signed my book for me!
Mr. Nishida's book shows just how many ways matcha and green tea can be enjoyed—not just as a drink, but in smoothies, baked goods, sweets, and even savory recipes. It also includes brewing tips and beautiful photos that make you want to get into the kitchen and start experimenting. I love that his book encourages tea lovers to have fun and get creative with matcha!
While having lunch in Washington, NC, I enjoyed a cup of Darjeeling tea that really surprised me. When steeped just right, Darjeeling has a smooth, rich flavor with delicate floral notes and a light fruity sweetness. It was so delicious and refreshing that I couldn’t just keep it to myself—I had to share! It’s amazing how a simple cup of perfectly brewed tea can turn an ordinary
lunch into such a memorable little moment.
Another favorite tea memory was visiting the White Rabbit Café, in Morehead City, NC. for a tea tasting/party. I’m not sure if they are still open today, but I’m so glad I had the chance to experience it. The tea tasting was wonderful, and each cup gave me something new to enjoy and discover.The small bites were beautifully presented and absolutely delicious. Everything felt so thoughtful and elegant, making the whole experience feel like a special little tea celebration. It’s one of those tea memories that has stayed with me long after the last cup was poured.
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One of my love language is apparently experiences with loose-leaf tea and botanicals.
There’s just something magical about imbuing dishes with herbs, creating things with botanicals, steeping a cup of loose tea, slowing down, spending time with the tea leaves within a teacup, intuitively making out the symbols of tea leaves, imbuing wellness practices with tea, and and letting the plants remind us that we’re part of something a little bigger than ourselves.
I’m all about creating your own journey with embodying botanicals and self — exploring the plants that call to you, discovering simple rituals, and finding little ways to bring more intention, connection, and magic into everyday life.
Because honestly… life is better with a little tea, some botanical imbued creations,
and a healthy dose of “let’s see what happens.”
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