056: San Diego Design Week: Exploring Inspiration & Smell with Amy of Paru Tea

In this special San Diego Design Week episode, I welcome back Amy Truong of Paru Tea to talk about inspiration and smell. Smell is a sense that is often overlooked, but it can be so powerful in the associations and memories it can bring up for us. Amy and I talk about the role scent plays in inspiring her unique tea blends, and she shares with us some behind-the-scenes details about her process for creating new blends. She also explains the best ways we as tea drinkers can use our sense of smell to experience and enjoy tea.

If you want to learn more about Amy and her story with Paru, listen to Episode 4 of Bewitching the Home. You can also get the story behind the design of her tea shop in Episode 40 with Miki Iwasaki.

Guest Bio

After earning a degree in International Business from UC Irvine and a decade of working in consulting, tech, and wellness, Amy took the leap and started PARU in 2017. The idea quickly grew from a pop-up with tea educational workshops to a full-time business, operating both two locations in-store and online.

In addition to leading the team, Amy serves as the primary tea educator, buyer, and master blender. She enjoys working with her hands and creating nostalgia-inspired teas like our Blue Chamomile and Pandan Waffle.

Featured in this episode

Featured candle: Beeswax candle from Mithras Candle

Featured brew: Honey Orchid from Paru Tea Bar

Featured Tarot deck: Rider-Waite Colman Smith Tarot

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Links:

Website

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