This place is also in NC: camforest.com/collections/...

Or if you are near Oregon: mintoislandtea.com/tea-plants

If you are still interested... www.burntridgenursery.com/mobile/baske...

Book cover artist was Hildebrandt vs author/editor of the book (Coville.) It looks a lot like the LOTR art by the Hildebrandt brothers, gorgeous rich color and light.

No, artist was Tim (Greg?) Hildebrandt. Book (Unicorn Treasury) was compiled by Coville. www.budplantandhutchisonbooks.com/pages/books/...

Today's tea is also an Assam and Keemun blend from my seldom used le creuset kettle on the gas stovetop because the power went out. Snow day shenanigans.

Thinking of Baba Yaga and her capacity for wisdom or wreckage, but always her own strength, as I get ready to craft some treasure necklace strands for her. Haven't decided yet which tea will go with that, maybe something smoky and earthy? What would you recommend?

Hard to say. I still drink black tea daily, but I really love oolong and fresher sheng pu erh. The comfort element of drinking a mug of black tea is definitely stronger though!

I'm deeply fortunate to have kind and thoughtful people in my life!

Not a direct answer, but did you steep with boiling water for 10+ minutes? I've found herbal blends to need a longer steep time and I'm a bit generous with how much I put in the pot/brewing basket.

Crimson Lotus Tea. Super nice people, super good tea. I like my sheng to be fresh and astringent and sweet vs highly fermented, So their Wild Sky is a current favorite.

Your set is super cute! There are a lot of great videos that walk through making matcha, Sugimoto has some (and good matcha) www.youtube.com/@SugimotoAme...

Seeing this, kind of inspired to break out some Vietnamese dark tea from Anna Ye Tea.