Spotlight On: TeaTonic (with Lisa Hilbert)

August 27, 2020

Join Hayden and Michael as they chat with Lisa Hilbert, founder of TeaTonic in central Melbourne. She tells the story of her journey from naturopath to purveyor of tea, and her favourite ingredients and blends among their renowned rainbow of tea. She also talks about making her own teabags and starting small with a market stall.

Teas reviewed in this episode: French Earl Grey, Coconut Tea, Longevity Tea (TeaTonic, VIC, Aus).

[This episode was recorded on August 23rd, 2020]

While You Were Steeping is available on Spotify, iTunes, Stitcher or the podcatcher of your choice. Follow us on Facebook or Instagram under @steepingpodcast or follow your hosts @michaelmandalios and @haydenrodgers on Instagram. You can email us on steepingpodcast@gmail.com. Become a Patron of That’s Not Canon Productions at Patreon!

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The British Identitea

August 20, 2020

Around the world, the word "tea" is completely synonymous with England, and British culture. Hayden and Michael delve into understanding how this came to be, including the history of Earl Grey, Lady Grey, wartime tea rations, and surges on the power grid.

Teas reviewed in this episode: Gin Shan Oolong (TeasAU, NSW, Aus), Australiana Tea (TeaTonic, VIC, Aus), Savanna (TeasAU).

[This episode was recorded on August 13th and 17th, 2020]

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Harmony, Respect, Purity, Tranquillity (with 'Maikoya')

August 13, 2020

Taken on a journey through the history of medieval Japan and the core principles of the Japanese matcha ceremony, Hayden and Michael speak with Adam Acar, director of 'Maikoya' in Kyoto, and expert consultant on Japanese culture.

For more information about Maikoya, head to www.mai-ko.com

Teas reviewed in this episode: Fairy Tale (TeasAU, NSW, Aus), Vanilla Delight (TeasAU), Detox (Herbtastic, NSW, Aus)

[This episode was recorded on August 5th and 10th, 2020]

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Tea Travel Tales (Pt. III - The Opium Wars)

August 6, 2020

The final instalment of this Tea Travel saga, the Opium Wars were the result of communication collapse and frustration between England and China, and England's growing monopoly on tea. Find out what caused tensions to rise high enough to bring the two nations to war, which ended with the British acquisition of Hong Kong. Teas reviewed in this episode: Golden Fortune (TeaTonic, VIC, Aus), Gaba Oolong (TeasAU, NSW, Aus), Blue Magic Tea (TeaTonic), Lapsang Souchong (TeasAU). [This episode was recorded on July 12th and 27th, 2020]

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Tea Travel Tales (Pt II. The East India Company)

July 30, 2020

Following on from the Silk Road stories, Hayden and Michael explore the boom of tea trade by sea, monopolised by The East India Company, and its indelible impact on British colonialism, and the popularity of tea around the world.

Teas reviewed in this episode: Wattleseed Breakfast (The Rabbit Hole, NSW, Aus), Tea Party Tea (TeaTonic, VIC, Aus), Bright Spark Tea (TeaTonic). [This episode was recorded on July 12th and 20th]

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Tea Travel Tales (Pt. I - The Silk Road)

July 23, 2020

Time to jump back to ancient China at the beginning of the Common Era. Hayden and Michael dive deep into the history of The Silk Road, as the first instalment in their saga of Tea Travel Tales, exploring the thousand-year journey of tea's introduction to countries all over the world. Teas reviewing in this episode: Kakadu Dreaming (The Rabbit Hole, NSW, Aus), Chai Masala (Elmstock, WA, Aus), Fruit Quencher (Elmstock). [This episode was recorded on July 12th and 15th]

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The Boston Tea Party

July 16, 2020

Fast forward to the 1770s in colonial North America. Hayden and Michael dig into the history of one of tea's most significant moments on the world stage: The Boston Tea Party. They discuss its relevance in the wake of major protests in the USA, as well as its role in the foundation of the country, and democracy on the world stage. Teas reviewed in this episode: Native Mint (The Rabbit Hole, NSW, Aus), Lemongrass & Ginger (Elmstock, WA, Aus), Darjeeling Premium (Elmstock).

[This episode was recorded on June 3rd, 2020]

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Origin Stories

July 9, 2020

While You Were Steeping is a curatorial tea and culture podcast. Join your hosts, ex-housemates and theatre graduates Hayden Rodgers and Michael Mandalios as they discover the rich history of tea across time and cultures, and review locally sampled teas of all kinds.

Subscribe to us on ITUNES, STITCHER, SPOTIFY, or your podcatcher of choice.

Find us on FACEBOOK, TWITTER or INSTAGRAM.

Become a Patron of That’s Not Canon Productions at Patreon!