Hayden and Michael wish you all well for the holiday season, no matter how you celebrate, and share some information on how you can keep track when Season 2 returns after the break. A toast to a new year that is hopefully remarkably different to 2020!   See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Finally steering away from the most common source of tea, the camellia sinensis plant, Hayden and Michael take on the history of yerba mate, grown in the native rainforests of South America. Find out all about its methods and traditions for preparation and drinking, as well as the roots of its surprising popularity in the Middle East. Teas reviewed in this episode: Wellbeing Tea (TeaTonic, VIC, Aus), Turmeric, Beetroot & Ginger Tea (TeaTonic), Tickle Me Licco-Mint (Organitea, VIC, Aus)...

Still on variants of the camellia sinensis, Hayden and Michael scrounge their way through a world of information on black teas, their many varietals, their history and mythology, and their cultural traditions. Origin and leaf blends, stories of soldiers and woodfires, and fun facts about local water supply, are all in store for this episode. Teas reviewed in this episode: Earl Grey (Tea Tonic, VIC, Aus), Dark Chocolate & Black Tea (TeaTonic), Spicy Festivitea (Organitea, VIC, Aus) [This...

The second instalment of their deep-dive into specific tea categories, Hayden and Michael found out all about green tea, its origins in China and Japan, its supposed (and renowned) health properties, and its remarkably lengthy processes of preparation. Teas reviewed in this episode: Oriental Twist [TeaTonic, VIC, Aus], Floral Dreams [Organitea, VIC, Aus], Green 'n' Spice [Organitea] While You Were Steeping is featured on the FeedSpot list of Top 15 Tea Podcasts. Check out...

After a quick break over September/October, Hayden and Michael are back and ready to take another deep dive into tea history and tea culture. Season 2 takes a hard look at specific types of tea, how they're grown and made, and what their significance is on the world stage of tea. First up is Oolong teas, hailing from the Fujian province in China, making up a vast range of tea varietals, some of the highest market values for tea in the world, and of great cultural significance in China and...

Hayden and Michael have news to share about Season 2 of While You Were Steeping, coming in November. Listen here for what to expect from the second season.   See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

For their season 1 finale, join Hayden and Michael as they go down the rabbit hole researching modern trends in tea at the turn of the millennium, and look into major market shifts around supermarket tea, the boom of artisan products in the wellness industry, bottled iced tea, and the advent of bubble tea around the world. Find out all about the recently formed Milk Tea Alliance. Teas reviewed in this episode: Jasmine Dragon Pearls, La Rosa, After Dinner, Relax (TeasAU, NSW, Aus) [This...

Join Hayden and Michael as they chat with Hilary White, founder of Elmstock Tea in Western Australia, the very first company to have their tea tried on the podcast. Hilary tells our hosts about his 55-year history with tea, growing up on their family plantations in Sri Lanka, travels around the world and experiences in Parisian tea houses. Teas reviewed in this episode: Empress Garden (TeasAU, NSW, Aus), Heartburn (Herbtastic, NSW, Aus), Snooze (Herbtastic) [This episode was recorded on...

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...

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.

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]

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...

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]

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]

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...

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.

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.

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.