Issue 09:
Yellow Tea, Japanese Rituals & Ceramics
In this issue, we delve into the world of Chinese tea and specifically focus on the rarest and most unfamiliar type - yellow tea. We explore its history, characteristics, and the regions in which it is grown.
Craig Mod, a writer and photographer who walked across Japan from the largest megacity in the world to pristine wilderness and desolate small towns, shares his experiences of this journey and how it helped him reconnect with his attention and the world around him.
‘Fermentation’ and ‘oxidation’ are some of the most common terms thrown around by tea experts as well as enthusiasts. We delve into these terms, debunk myths, and clarify their significance in the tea-making process..
We meet potters who have dedicated decades to perfecting their craft and creating ceramics of international fame. We explore their techniques, inspiration, and the cultural significance of pottery in the Czech Republic.
Despite the population drain from the countryside to the cities in Japan, young generations are setting up new micro-businesses and thus bring forgotten areas back to life. We explore the town of Onomichi and talk to a passionate tea farmer.
We interview Morel Doucet, an artist who shares his views on his Haitian identity and how it influences his art, the significance of tea to his ancestors, and how he thinks art should be perceived.
We attend a traditional Japanese senchadō ceremony, discuss the post-pandemic issues of the Asian diaspora in NYC and its impact on the community, and talk with a strong-willed business owner in Washington DC, who shares her journey and the challenges she faced as a small business owner in a competitive market.
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Yellow Tea – Rare, Mysterious, Underappreciated
We dive into the elusive world of yellow tea, one of the rarest and most misunderstood categories of Chinese tea. Explore its history, unique processing techniques, flavour profile, and the regions where it continues to be quietly cultivated.
Craig Mod – Walking Japan, Reclaiming Attention
Writer and photographer Craig Mod shares reflections from his long walks across Japan — from bustling megacities to quiet mountain towns.
Through these journeys, he explores how slowness, solitude, and tea helped him reconnect with the world and himself.
Fermentation vs Oxidation – Debunking the Terms
Are fermentation and oxidation really the same? Not quite.
We clarify the most misused terms in tea production, breaking down what they mean, why they matter, and how they affect the taste and character of your tea.
Czech Ceramics – The Craft Behind the Clay
Meet the master potters of the Czech Republic, artists who have shaped their lives around form, fire, and function. We explore how ceramic tradition, technique, and innovation meet in the hands of those who turn earth into tea art.
Reviving Rural Japan – Onomichi’s Tea Renaissance
While Japan’s rural towns face population decline, a new generation of tea farmers and micro-entrepreneurs are leading a quiet revival. We visit Onomichi to learn how passion, perseverance, and tea are bringing forgotten places back to life.
Morel Doucet – Art, Identity & Ancestral Memory
Artist Morel Doucet speaks on how his Haitian roots, cultural memory, and ancestral rituals influence both his creative process and personal connection to tea. An honest conversation on representation, perception, and purpose.
Senchadō, Diaspora & The Power of Resilience
From a traditional Japanese senchadō ceremony to a post-pandemic reflection on the Asian diaspora in NYC, we examine how tea continues to foster community and cultural continuity. We also meet a Washington DC teahouse owner whose strength and vision helped her create a place of refuge and resilience in a highly competitive world.
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Our thanks goes to all the talented contributors who helped us put this issue together:
Bruno Algarve. Keith Kwok, Konrad Pociask, Daniel Klásek, Silvan Borer, Gwen Chesnais, Zhong Yuemin, Cat Kerr, Marta Grespan, Wakabayashi Mitsuru, Emma Chamberlain, Anna Poian
Specials thanks goes to:
Karen Charles, Catherine Yung, Craig Mod, Morel Doucet, David Veal, Takahashi Genki, Ching Ching Wong