On tea and murder mysteries

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Hello there,

How was March for you all? I’m bracing for summer here in south India, where the heat will hit hard but makes up for it with the arrival of the mango season. I usually withdraw in summer, preferring the indoors to outdoors. This is also when I catch up on my reading. Which is the perfect segue to introducing our latest story, Jodi Webb’s interview with author Jesse Q. Sutanto. Her new book is just out and we are so glad we caught up for this chat. This book, the second in her Vera Wong series, is a cosy mystery set in a teashop in San Francisco. I am drooling even as I write this. I don’t know what it is about tea and cosy mysteries that work so well. They are really my most favourite escape. If you haven’t yet discovered this pairing, I urge you to try it, as a most fun way to relax.

Our other March story comes from Ghana, where John Smagula caught up with speciality tea retailer Clarissa Akakpo and came back to give us a peek into their way of tea.

And in case, you missed the last newsletter, here are the stories from early March and February as well. Together, they take you on a little tour around the world with tea. Enjoy the ride!

We are in the process of restyling the magazine and I wanted to invite you all to offer any suggestions or recommendations you may have. Do drop me a mail. We would love to incorporate as many good ideas as we can.

Lastly, in late February, the Jasbire tea factory in Nepal burned down in an accident, leaving its owner Sharad Subba injured. Nishchal Banskota of Nepal Tea Collective has launched a crowdfunding campaign to help Sharad get back on his feet and rebuild his life and factory. We had written about Sharad and his incredible work some time ago and it has been very sad to read about these recent developments. The fundraiser is 90% done, so please do share it with those who may be able to help them get past the finish.

Until next time,

Aravinda Anantharaman
Editor, Tea Journey

Tea Books

By Jodi M. Webb

Jesse Q. Sutanto on Tea and Murder

“I think the humor came very naturally, because they’re based on things I have experienced with my parents. Pretty much everything Vera says in the book are based on things…

By John Smagula

Selling Tea in Ghana

Ghana’s tea culture is entwined with an older tradition of herbal blends that are used as infusions, in soups, stews, tinctures, tonics, and even steam inhalations for medicinal value. Moringa…

By Diana Jendoubi

When In Colombo… Make Time For Tea

Colombo’s quiet residential neighborhoods are a world apart from its crowded main streets, full of honking tuk-tuks and spicy street food hawkers. Enchanting areas like Cinnamon Gardens feature picturesque tree-lined…

By Mainbayar Badarch

Uzbekistan – A Country of Green Tea

When you visit an Uzbek family, don’t be surprised to see them pour very little tea into your bowl. Tea is poured into the bowl little by little, literally for…

By Adeline Teoh

Pioneering Organic Tea in the Phoenix Mountains

In the Phoenix Mountains in China, the Dancong Oolong reigns. We meet 33 year old Huang Huan who chose to return home to take over his family tea farm. He…

By Horacio Bustos

When Green Tea Came To Peru… and Stayed

“Peruvian tea is on a trajectory of growth and improvement both nationally and internationally. With an appropriate strategy that emphasizes quality, authenticity, and sustainability, there is significant potential to increase…

Aravinda Anantharaman

Editor, Tea Journey Magazine
Write me at aravinda@teajourney.pub