March 21, 2013
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It’s about time we introduce the other half our friendly tasting room staff – Meet Aaron: Jazz enthusiast, writer and maker of the best Chai Latte in town.
Q: What was your happiest time drinking tea.
A: All the cups I share with my girlfriend. Also, the mugs I had with my Mom at the Plain of Six Glaciers Teahouse, high up in the mountains of Canada’s Banff National Park. No roads lead there. It’s only accessible by foot.
Q: Which famous figure in history would you most like to have tea with?
A: John Coltrane – I don’t know if he even drank tea, but he was so exploratory musically and intellectually, that I’m sure he’d go for at least one cup. Also, tea with True Grit author Charles Portis would be a thrill, even though he’s not historical or famous. He still lives in Arkansas, and he likes drinking beer in his local watering hole. With his wit and sly sense of humor, I bet he could generate endless plays-on-words with the names ‘oolong’ and ‘Bai Mu Dan.’ (more…)
February 28, 2013
Photo @TiffanyTalbott
We first met Lauren as a customer in our tasting room. Traveling around the globe and back, she now brings her eye for beauty, lilting South African voice and appreciation for tea to our customer service and sales team here at Smith.
Q: What was your happiest time drinking tea?
A: As a little tot, everyone gathering for early morning tea in my parents’ room. I’m sure I had way more sugar and milk in my cup than actual tea… perfect family ritual all the same.
Q: Which famous figure in history would you most like to have tea with?
A: Last week I might have said Miyamoto Musashi… famous Japanese Samurai and Zen master… This week I’ll add Madiba Mandela (call me patriotic) and Cesaria Evora… something about the combination of her bare feet and unreal exotic voice makes her the perfect tea companion to this eclectic tea party.
Q: What would you most like to read in the tea leaves? (more…)
February 12, 2013
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We’d like to welcome Kathy to our line-up of Teamakers : Gardener, gamer, enthusiastic organizer and keeper of the accounts at Smith.
Q: What was your happiest time drinking tea?
A: My first date with my husband.
Q: Which famous figure figures in history would you most like to have tea with? (more…)
January 15, 2013
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Say hello to Brandon: Generally quiet, wip-smart, soon to be counsel, and superior teamaker.
Q: What was your happiest time drinking tea?
A: Dawn on a salt marsh between Assateague Island and mainland Virginia, sipping Mate”.
Q: Which famous figure figures in history would you most like to have tea with?
A: Virginia Woolf.
Q: Which living person would you least like to have tea with?
A: Honestly, this question is setting me up for libel. (more…)
January 10, 2013
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At long last, we bring you Alex; our kind- hearted, tech savvy, tea guru. Always ready to tackle the next problem with a genuine smile and can- do attitude. Aficionado of all things Japanese and a pleasure to work with.
Q: What was your happiest time drinking tea?
A: Drinking Maté as a child in the back of my dad’s auto body shop. Something about the frosty garage, the hot Maté, the smell of old cars, and the taste of the metal bombillá always stands out in my mind.
Q: Which famous figures in history would you most like to have tea with?
A: Sun Tsu. I bet he would have access to great tea and great advice. (more…)
December 6, 2012
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We’d like to introduce Derek: You might not guess from his responses, but he is a gregarious, outgoing guy. If you are in the shop, you’ll see him behind the glass, blending and packaging your tea. Welcome DJ.
Q: What was your happiest time drinking tea?
A: Sundays mornings. The perfect way to get ready for Football.
Q: Which famous figure figures in history would you most like to have tea with?
A: Macho man, Randy Savage.
Q: Which living person would you least like to have tea with?
A: Hulk Hogan. (more…)
June 7, 2012
Smith Teamaker would like to welcome Jason: A Former Tazo who can heft a 50 lb. bag of tea, build a pallet and manage a forklift like a Ferrari. Here is what a man of few words had to say:
Q: What was your happiest time drinking tea?
A: Drinking Mom’s sun tea.
Q: Which famous figure figures in history would you most like to have tea with?
A: F.D.R., Houdini. Elvis and Tesla (The inventor, not the band)
Q: What do you most hope to read in the tea leaves?
A: Health and Prosperity!
Q: What do you least want to see in the tea leaves” (more…)
May 7, 2012
- Photo @TiffanyTallbott
At Last: This is Dave – All things mechanical, manufacturing and operational. Master-mind of getting old things to work and engineering new stuff – a philosophic problem-solver.
It isn’t right that a person who has been with us from the start, be so late to the introductions. But that’s what happens to the guy who controls all the power tools. Unbeknownst to Dave, an early invitation by Steve to “check out some equipment with me”, has turned into another chapter in his tea life.
Early partners since their days at Stash, Dave has been mixing it up with Steve in the tea world for a very long time. As a partner and head of manufacturing, He brings a wealth of know- how, a wry wit and a work ethic hard to rival. He is an integral part of our ability to blend and pack all the tea we produce right here in our tiny facility in Portland, Oregon.
You might even know Dave and wondered where’s he’s been lately? Well, he’s here, at the Teaworks, keeping things moving Monday – Friday and probably on the off hours too. Come in for a pot of tea and you’ll see him through the glass window, a shy smile and an ever-present to -go cup of coffee nearby (yes, coffee) Feel free to knock, wave or leave him a sticky note.
Here’s what Dave had to say when recently interviewed over a slice of his favorite Apple Pie with melted cheddar cheese on top.
Q: What was your happiest time drinking tea?
A:”The happiest time is when I actually take my cup and sit down”. ( Dave doesn’t sit much) (more…)
March 13, 2012
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Say Hello to Claire – Clairvoyant? maybe. Calm, kind and easy to talk to, better describe this tasting room goddess.
Q: What do you most want to see in the tea leaves?
A: The appearance of a shell in my tea leaves would be welcome…which is said to symbolize creativity, good luck, prosperity, and emotional stability.
Q: What do you least want to see in the tea leaves?
A: Cigarette butts?
Q: What do you think about while your tea is steeping? (more…)
February 16, 2012
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This is Kimberly: aka: Mrs. Smith – neat-nik, creative and lover of parties. The perfect Green to Steve’s Black, marketing maven and co-founder of Smith Teamaker.
Q: Which famous figures in history would you most like to have tea with?
A: Hands down, that would be author and adventurist, Isak Dineson, who wrote Out of Africa.
Q: Which famous living person would you least like to have tea with?
A: Anyone currently running for the GOP.
Q: What was your happiest time drinking tea?
(more…)
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