About

What's up! I'm Jasper, a teen living in New York City. As you could probably tell, I love tea. Although my future is focused on science and engineering, tea has become one of my greatest passions. My favorite tea is Silver Needle, particularly the varieties grown in Fujian, China.

I named this blog The Second Steep because of the way tea changes over time. In some traditional brewing methods, the first infusion is briefly discarded to rinse and awaken the leaves before the tea is properly brewed. The second steep is often where the leaves truly begin to open up and reveal their flavor.

To me, that idea represents more than just tea. Every infusion can reveal something new, and the same leaves can taste completely different depending on how they are prepared. I think people can be much the same way.

I first got into tea through my family's love of it. Since then, my interest has taken me far beyond the teas I grew up with and into traditions from across the world. Tea has introduced me to cultures, histories, places, and people I might otherwise never have encountered.

I believe tea is a gateway to understanding and diversity. A cup of tea can carry centuries of history, connect different cultures, and bring people together through something as simple as sharing a drink.

The Second Steep is my ongoing exploration of that world. Through the Tea Library, Journal, and everything else I discover along the way, I hope to share the teas, places, traditions, and experiences that have made tea such an important part of my life.