Eighty Degrees – Issue 15

India & Thailand: Reimagining Tea Origins

Travel to India and beyond to understand the evolving identity of two of the world’s most iconic tea-growing regions. From Assam’s dynamic present to the unexpected presence of Darjeeling tea culture in Chiang Mai, Thailand, these features examine how place, people, and politics intersect in the cup.

The Quiet Radicalism of Chang Ching Yuan

Meet the ceramic artist who works without a plan or signature. In a world of overexposure and speed, his intuitive process and refusal to brand himself offer a rare, contemplative alternative — a philosophy as much as a practice.

Okakura Kakuzō & Boston’s Tea Legacy

Uncover the lesser-known story of The Book of Tea’s origins — not in Kyoto or Tokyo, but in Boston’s intellectual salons. This historical essay explores how East met West in a time of empire, art, and tea.

1660–2024: A Sculptural History of Teaware

A sweeping visual and historical survey of sculpted forms for tea from 1660 to 2024. Discover how objects designed for brewing and serving reflect shifts in aesthetics, ritual, and meaning over time — from minimalist Japanese clay to futuristic reinterpretations.

Tending Tanzania

Follow the story of Tanzanian tea from the fields to the factory, through the lens of local growers and producers. This feature brings visibility to a region often left out of global tea narratives, celebrating its resilience, ambition, and community.

Tea in Japanese Fiction

Explore the role of tea in Japanese fiction, from The Tale of Genji to Haruki Murakami. These literary echoes reveal how tea becomes a device of intimacy, melancholy, and time — both on the page and in life.