Hi, I’m Jee!
I’m a Certified Tea Sommelier, recipe developer, and afternoon tea enthusiast. I founded Oh, How Civilized to share my tea expertise and delicious tea recipes.
Fun Fact: The name Oh, How Civilized came from me uttering those exact words (in a terrible British accent) every time I had afternoon tea.
Whether you’re trying to whisk the perfect, clump-free bowl of matcha, the best way to make iced tea, or get honest reviews of where to have afternoon tea in New York City or London, you’ve come to the right place!
My passion for tea didn’t start overnight. It started with my love of afternoon tea. Growing up in Brooklyn, New York, I would go for afternoon tea in fancy hotels in Manhattan and over the years, my curiosity moved beyond the scones and tea sandwiches and focused more on the teapots.
(I was quoted in the NY Times about afternoon tea!)
I began noticing the differences in the teas being poured. At some places, the tea was an afterthought and it was bitter, over-steeped, or one-note in taste. At others, the tea was an absolute revelation in that it was balanced and distinct in flavor.
That curiosity to understand is what led me to formal training, where I earned my official certification as a Tea Sommelier. Today, I share what I’ve learned with you. I’ve tasted and tested hundreds of recipes to ensure that when you make something from this site, it works perfectly the very first time.
I’m incredibly proud to share that passion with a global community of over 460,000+ tea lovers across social media.
The joy of tea is in the ritual. It’s my everyday luxury.
What You’ll Find on Oh, How Civilized
This blog is a curated resource designed to help you elevate your tea game, no matter your experience level. Here’s what I specialize in:
- Flawless Tea & Matcha Guides: Step-by-step tutorials on how to source and master whisking matcha and avoid the common mistakes that lead to bitter tea.
- Elevated Cafe Drinks & Syrups: Fun, delicious, and easy-to-follow recipes for cafe-quality iced teas, tea lattes, and homemade flavored syrups.
- The Ultimate Afternoon Tea Resources: Easy tea sandwich recipes and proper afternoon tea etiquette.
- NYC Afternoon Tea Reviews: Honest, deeply researched, and ranked reviews of the finest afternoon tea services in New York City and beyond, helping you plan your next luxury experience.
About Me
I was born in Seoul, South Korea and raised in Brooklyn, NY. My background is in design and I have a masters in Design Management. I worked extensively in publishing, for sites like People.com and InStyle.com.
I left my corporate job and started freelancing a few years ago and I loved the flexible work schedule. It was during this time that I started Oh, How Civilized.
Where to Find Me
You can find me on Instagram, YouTube, TikTok and Pinterest.
I would love to hear from you! If you have questions or just want to say hello, send me an email: [email protected].
