Shane L. Braverman at TeaMuse by Adagio Teas

Welcome back to Camellialand, where anxious Alices become insatiable students. Lower her tea anxiety, spark curiosity, then guide her gently: begin with a simple cupping of one oolong, one red, one green. Focus on processing, aroma, oxidation. Avoid overwhelming detail. Nurture delight, not dread—until she’s tea-obsessed. Huzzah!

When friends ask for an introduction to tea, don’t drown them in Gongfu jargon or oxidization lectures. Be a gentle guide into Camellialand: go slow, normalize confusion, and emphasize that it’s okay to like what they like and describe flavors in their own words—even if their first tasting note is “chewy.”