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Secrets Behind the Success | Series 8: Steven Smith, President of Smith Teamaker Gallery

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Secrets Behind the Success | Series 8: Steven Smith, President of Smith Teamaker Gallery

Steven Smith of Steven Smith Teamaker

Smith is a tea specialist who tastes more than 600 cups a day. He has been praised by various media as a "once-in-a-millennium talent."

Steven Smith Teamaker offers two lines: blended black teas and herbal teas. Smith still personally blends them at the tea atelier in Portland.

Steven Smith Teamaker's tea leaves. "No. 39 Fez Iced Tea" is perfect for iced tea, blending rare Chinese green tea with fragrant spearmint grown in Oregon and a touch of myrtle.

Steven Smith Teamaker's tea leaves. "No. 18 Bluhmin" combines second-flush Indian Assam and moist Ceylon Dimbula, topped with Chinese Keemun.

Steven Smith Teamaker's tea leaves. "No. 47 Bungalow" uses first and second flush Darjeeling grown at the foot of the Himalayas. It's a rich, aromatic blend with a complex flavor of nuts, flowers, and fruit.

Steven Smith Teamaker's tea leaves. "No. 67 Meadow" is a caffeine-free herbal tea blending Egyptian golden chamomile, fragrant hyssop harvested in Oregon, South African Cape rooibos, rose petals, and linden flowers.

Steven Smith Teamaker's tea leaves, "No. 67 Meadow."

Steven Smith Teamaker uses large sachets for its carefully selected full leaves and large-cut tea leaves and herbs. They are also characterized by their use of biodegradable materials that return to the soil after disposal.

Smith's seven tools for tea making. All the products currently offered by Steven Smith Teamaker were created using these tools. From the front, clockwise: spoon, paperweight, photo of his wife, recipe notebook, seal, bowl, and necklace.

“The first tool is my favorite spoon. A well-balanced spoon is essential for tasting tea. I scoop the tea with it, check the color and aroma, and then swallow. When I spit it out, the complex flavors of the tea spread throughout my mouth.”

“The second tool is a Celtic cross necklace found near the tomb of Haile Selassie, known as the last emperor of the Ethiopian Empire. I don't know the type of metal, but it's quite old. My cabinet in my office contains many other items collected from around the world, including Tibet and Nepal.”

“Tea is very personal, and everyone drinks it differently. While the rule is to wait 3 minutes for green tea and 5 minutes for black tea, you can enjoy tea even when it's not 'fully ready.' It's up to your discretion to determine the right timing.”

The sixth tool is a gold paperweight made in Nagaland, India. It is also Smith's lucky charm.

“Rather than wearing it, I often carry it in my pocket. When I'm at home or in the office, I always keep it nearby.”

“I recommend black tea for boosting energy or getting motivated, green tea for contemplation, and herbal tea for focusing or calming the mind.”

Favorite cafes in Portland. The first is Smith Teamaker, which he runs himself.

Smith Teamaker<br ewline Hours: Weekdays 9:00 AM–5:00 PM, Saturdays 11:00 AM–5:00 PM (Closed Sundays)<br ewline 1626 NW Thurman Street Portland, Oregon, OR 97209, United States<br ewline Tel. +1-503-719-8752<br ewline http://www.smithtea.com

“Portland is a city that inspires me. The food culture is so vibrant that I always come up with new ideas when I go out. It's definitely an essential part of my life.”

Stumptown Coffee's Division Street location in Portland. The Division store, which also houses a roastery, opened in 1999. It can be considered a pioneer that led Portland's coffee movement.

Stumptown Coffee Division Store<br ewline Hours: Weekdays 6:00 AM–7:00 PM, Saturdays, Sundays, and Holidays 7:00 AM–7:00 PM<br ewline 4525 SE Division Street Portland, OR 97206, United States<br ewline Tel. +1-503-230-7702<br ewline http://stumptowncoffee.com

Stumptown Coffee Division Store<br ewline Hours: Weekdays 6:00 AM–7:00 PM, Saturdays, Sundays, and Holidays 7:00 AM–7:00 PM<br ewline 4525 SE Division Street Portland, OR 97206, United States<br ewline Tel. +1-503-230-7702<br ewline http://stumptowncoffee.com

Stumptown Coffee Division Store<br ewline Hours: Weekdays 6:00 AM–7:00 PM, Saturdays, Sundays, and Holidays 7:00 AM–7:00 PM<br ewline 4525 SE Division Street Portland, OR 97206, United States<br ewline Tel. +1-503-230-7702<br ewline http://stumptowncoffee.com

Stumptown Coffee Division Store<br ewline Hours: Weekdays 6:00 AM–7:00 PM, Saturdays, Sundays, and Holidays 7:00 AM–7:00 PM<br ewline 4525 SE Division Street Portland, OR 97206, United States<br ewline Tel. +1-503-230-7702<br ewline http://stumptowncoffee.com

“Tea has always been a part of my life since I was young. I didn't even try coffee until my early twenties. My grandmother lived right next door, so as soon as I got home from school, I'd go straight to her house and we'd drink tea together. That was my first encounter with tea.”

Besaw's, a favorite cafe in Portland. It's described as the perfect spot for breakfast or chatting over tea.

Besaw's<br ewline Hours: Mon: 7:00 AM–3:00 PM, Tue–Fri: 7:00 AM–3:00 PM, 5:00 PM–10:00 PM, Sat: 8:00 AM–3:00 PM, 5:00 PM–10:00 PM, Sun: 8:00 AM–3:00 PM<br ewline 2301 NW Savier Street Portland, OR 97210, United States<br ewline Tel. +1-503-228-2619<br ewline http://www.besaws.comMon: 7am-3pm | Tue-Fri: 7am-3pm, 5pm-10pmSat: 8am-3pm, 5pm-10pm | Sun: 8am-3pm

Besaw's<br ewline Hours: Mon: 7:00 AM–3:00 PM, Tue–Fri: 7:00 AM–3:00 PM, 5:00 PM–10:00 PM, Sat: 8:00 AM–3:00 PM, 5:00 PM–10:00 PM, Sun: 8:00 AM–3:00 PM<br ewline 2301 NW Savier Street Portland, OR 97210, United States<br ewline Tel. +1-503-228-2619<br ewline http://www.besaws.com

“The first original tea blend I created was 'Jasmine Spice.' Jasmine is a very fragrant flower, but when you add spices like cinnamon and ginger, it transforms into a completely different taste than when drunk on its own. That was the moment I decided to make a career in the tea business.”

Secrets behind the Success | Part 8: Steven Smith of Steven Smith Teamaker - Gallery

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