Eighty Degrees – Issue 06

Welcoming Spring – A Season of Tea & Transience

Hello spring! To honour this vital season in the life of tea, we present a new issue filled with stories about impermanence, renewal, and the ephemeral nature of both tea and the world around it.

The Accidental Birth of Black Tea in China

Uncover the legendary origins of black tea and how a historical accident led to one of the most widely consumed tea types in the world.

Tea Meets Wine – Cultural Resistance & Taste Translation

Gwen Chesnais compares the struggles of China embracing wine with the West’s hesitation toward tea, highlighting the complexity of cross-cultural palate acceptance.

Temperature & Technique – Brewing Beyond the Boil

How low can you go?
We examine how water temperature affects flavour, and explore the science of cold infusions and precision brewing for unlocking subtle notes in your cup.

In Praise of Humble Leaves

In the pursuit of rare and premium teas, it’s easy to overlook the ordinary.
This issue celebrates humble, everyday leaves that offer quiet depth and unassuming joy — worthy of attention in their own right.

Kintsugi – Broken, Repaired, More Beautiful Than Before

Is brokenness the end or a new beginning?
We explore the philosophy of kintsugi, the Japanese art of repairing broken pottery with gold — and how it mirrors a more thoughtful, resilient approach to both tea and life.

Tea Across Cultures – From Mountains to Haute Cuisine

Travel with us to Turkey, Japan, and India:

• Drink tea with a mountain hermit
• Explore tea’s role in fine dining
• And reflect on how environment shapes ritual, flavour, and philosophy