acidity

Caffeinated Coffee May Lower Dementia Risk, New Study Finds

Caffeinated Coffee May Lower Dementia Risk, New Study Finds

Pour yourself a cup for this one: A massive study of over 130,000 people suggests that regular caffeinated coffee might be more than just a morning ritual—it could be a shield against dementia. Published in JAMA, the research found that those drinking 2-3 cups daily had an 18% lower risk of developing dementia compared to non-drinkers. The benefits weren’t just statistical fluff either—coffee drinkers also showed better performance on cognitive tests and lower rates of “subjective cognitive decline,” a subtle but telling sign of brain health. The study’s strength lies in its scale and longevity. Tracking data from the Nurses’…
Read More
The Matcha Powder Brands That Deliver (And Those That Don’t)

The Matcha Powder Brands That Deliver (And Those That Don’t)

If you’ve ever wondered why matcha feels like a revelation compared to coffee, it’s not just the caffeine—it’s the complexity. This powdered green tea, steeped in centuries of Japanese tradition, has surged in popularity as a smoother, more balanced alternative to espresso. But not all matcha powders are created equal. After tasting six store-bought options, here’s what we learned: quality matters, preparation matters, and some brands are better suited for specific uses than others. The worst matcha we tried was MatchAiA USDA-Certified Organic Matcha. It tasted watery, sharp, and overly bitter, with no umami depth to soften its edges. Even…
Read More
The Dragon Ball That Defied Its Price Tag

The Dragon Ball That Defied Its Price Tag

Let’s talk about the dragon ball that defied its price tag. At $17, this “150-year ancient tree bingdao laozoi” sheng tea felt like a gamble—until I steeped it 10 times, each time uncovering layers of complexity. The result? A tea that defies its age, offering sweetness, tang, and a lingering aftertaste that made me rethink my entire approach to young sheng. This isn’t your average dragon ball. The first few infusions revealed a crisp, almost citrusy brightness, like a sugar lemon squeezed into a cup of morning mist. By the fifth steep, the tea deepened into a nuanced balance of…
Read More
The Green Mark’s Quiet Strength in a Clay Pot

The Green Mark’s Quiet Strength in a Clay Pot

Pour yourself a cup for this one: the 2023 Xiaguan “Green Mark” raw puerh isn’t screaming for attention, but it’s quietly carving out a niche in the clay pot. Brewed with precision—5.5g in an 80mL duanni clay pot, just off boil—it unfolds in layers, each steep revealing a different facet of its character. The first wash brings wood, hay, and a faint diesel whisper, setting the stage for a tea that’s more about texture than bombast. Steep one is a timid affair, the leaves stubbornly resisting release. It’s a tightly compressed cake, and the flavor feels muted, like a shy…
Read More
Aged Sheng: Worth the Wait or a Missed Opportunity?

Aged Sheng: Worth the Wait or a Missed Opportunity?

If you’re a puerh newbie chasing that elusive balance of floral brightness and earthy depth, you’re not alone. The journey from young sheng’s vibrant punch to aged sheng’s supposed complexity can feel like a leap into the unknown. Your recent experiments with 2007 Dayi 7542 and Xiaguan Jia Ji hint at a common struggle: aged sheng isn’t always a direct upgrade. It’s a different beast, shaped by time, storage, and the tea’s own evolution. Aged sheng’s appeal lies in its transformation, not its replication of youth. Young sheng dazzles with sharp floral notes and a bold huigan—traits that fade as…
Read More
Wood Spirit Ripe Puer: A Warm Comfort in Every Sip

Wood Spirit Ripe Puer: A Warm Comfort in Every Sip

Listen up: This isn’t your average pu-erh. Farmerleaf’s 2023 Wood Spirit Ripe puer unfolds like a slow-burn fire, balancing earthy depth with a sweetness that feels like a hug. Brewed in a titanium gaiwan just off boil, it starts with a whisper of wood and forest floor, then layers into something richer. The first steep delivers sandalwood and cocoa, with a hint of shou-y sweetness that lingers. By the second steep, the tea thickens, its cocoa notes deepening while bitterness stays subdued—a rare harmony of flavors. What makes this tea stand out isn’t complexity, but consistency. The third steep brings…
Read More
Where Japan’s Green Tea Thrives: A Map of Tradition and Terroir

Where Japan’s Green Tea Thrives: A Map of Tradition and Terroir

Here’s what you need to know: Japan’s green tea landscape isn’t just about leaves and steam—it’s a story of geography, climate, and centuries-old craftsmanship. While sencha and gyokuro dominate the conversation, their origins are as nuanced as the terroir that shapes them. Shizuoka, Japan’s largest tea-producing region, is synonymous with sencha, its flat terrain and warm climate yielding bold, vegetal notes. But don’t assume every sencha comes from there. Kagoshima’s volcanic soil and tropical warmth birth a sweeter, more delicate version, while Uji’s ancient tea fields—where the first matcha was made—produce a refined, umami-rich profile. Processing techniques, of course, play…
Read More
A Black Tea’s Honey Aroma Falls Short, But Osmanthus Flowers Save the Day

A Black Tea’s Honey Aroma Falls Short, But Osmanthus Flowers Save the Day

The verdict is in: This black tea’s honey aroma promise feels more like a marketing gimmick than a sensory revelation. While the brew isn’t terrible, it lacks the depth or complexity to justify its name. The tea’s subtle character is almost timid, offering little to entice a seasoned palate. But here’s where the story gets interesting—when paired with osmanthus flowers, the tea transforms. The floral notes of the osmanthus bloom into a harmony that elevates the tea’s muted profile, creating something unexpectedly satisfying. The tea’s base is unremarkable, hovering between the familiar and the forgettable. Yet its pairing with osmanthus…
Read More
The Enigma of Pu’erh: Why It’s More Than Just Tea

The Enigma of Pu’erh: Why It’s More Than Just Tea

Real talk: Sometimes the best moments are the ones that make you rethink your entire tea routine. Last afternoon, I cracked open a 2004 raw Pu'erh from Bu Sang, a brick dense with microbial whispers and aged complexity. It’s the kind of tea that demands patience—both in its cultivation and in its enjoyment. But here’s the catch: after six weeks of quick coffee sips (thanks to a spine injury that’s turned quiet moments into a battleground), this Pu'erh felt like a revelation. Yet, not everyone shares my obsession. The genre’s reputation for bitterness and earthy grit often overshadows its potential.…
Read More
A Chablis Revelation: A Midnight Tasting with Frozen Pizza

A Chablis Revelation: A Midnight Tasting with Frozen Pizza

Consider this your midnight tasting report: A 2018 Vincent Dauvissat Vaillons unfolded over two meals, paired with frozen pizza from Whole Foods. The wine arrived at my table as a polished, almost hesitant entity—its nose offering white flowers, lemon pith, and an ocean breeze that felt more like a whisper than a declaration. It was the kind of Chablis that promises greatness but hasn’t quite arrived yet. The palate was a different story: citrus and minerality danced with salted grapefruit, Greek yogurt, and hazelnuts, creating a texture that felt both precise and playful. But the wine’s potential felt restrained, as…
Read More