One of the country's largest tea festivals is in Seattle this weekend, and whether you're a total newcomer or a seasoned tea connoisseur, there's plenty to explore.

Why it matters: Tea culture can feel intimidating, especially if your experience is limited to the standard Lipton tea bag, festival organizer Andrew Goodman tells Axios.

• But the Northwest Tea Festival not only offers a chance to sample some of the "finest teas from around the world," it's an inviting space for anyone, from the mildly curious to the deeply passionate, he says.

How it works: Now celebrating its 14th year, the festival brings together industry professionals, artists, writers and educators, all with a shared passion for what Goodman calls "the most fascinating of beverages."

What to expect: More than 50 vendors and experts will converge at Seattle Center's Exhibition Hall this Saturday and Sunday.

• There will be small-group tastings, a tasting lounge and non-vendor presentations on everything from the basics of brewing to the 5,000-year history of the second-most popular drink in the world.
• More experienced "tea nerds" can try 2024's newest blends or dive into deeper comparisons, from neighboring regional teas to differences in harvest years, he says.

Plus: There's even a tasting lounge just for kids.

The big picture: All true teas come from the Camellia sinensis plant, which was first discovered in China and later introduced to India.

• Just as wine lovers can distinguish between a Napa Valley Chardonnay and a French Burgundy, enthusiasts can detect subtle distinctions between teas from different towns in one region or different years, says Goodman.
• In fact, the sheer variety of tea far exceeds that of wine, making it a treasure trove for those eager to prospect its complexities, he says.

If you go: For $20, you'll get a porcelain tasting cup, a tote bag and full access to both days of the festival. Kids under 12 get in free. It opens at 10am.

The bottom line: Seattleites love coffee, but it's good to mix things up and honestly, isn't there something magic about a cup of tea, a good book and a rainy day?

Tell a tea buff

Washington remains one of the best states in the country for hourly workers based on its high minimum wage and the elimination of less-than-minimum tip wages, according to a senior researcher at Oxfam America.

State of play: For the second year in a row, Washington placed fifth in the best states to work index compiled by the global anti-poverty organization.

Why it matters: About 37% of American adults are in households that struggled to pay for typical expenses between late June and late July, Axios' Alex Fitzpatrick reported.

• And even in Seattle, the percentage of residents living in poverty has ticked up in recent years.

What they did: To come up with the ranking, Oxfam looked at wage policies, worker protections and the right of workers to unionize.

Zoom in: Washington, Oregon and California are among the top five states in the index.

• In Washington, which has a minimum wage of $16.28 an hour, only about 11% of workers make less than $17 an hour, according to a separate Oxfam report.

Yes, but: Kaitlyn Henderson, a senior researcher at Oxfam America and the report's author, tells Axios that even Washington's high minimum wage only covers about 36% of the costs of feeding, sheltering and clothing a family of four.

• "No state holds a perfect score, and Washington is no exception," she says.

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Autumn in the Seattle area is the perfect time to hop on your bike, and there are plenty of ideal routes for riders looking for crisp air and vibrant foliage.

What to expect: This list includes rides within an hour or so of Seattle that are perfect for casual riders, new cyclists and families and deliver awesome views without too many grueling climbs.

• Plus: These rides, several of which are accessible by bus, also offer great opportunities for autumn picnics or pit stops at local eateries.

1. Cedar River Trail<br/>Starting in Renton's Liberty Park, this trail stretches out to Maple Valley. Most of it is paved, but the unpaved section along the fast-flowing Cedar River to Landsburg Park is easily rideable on all but the thinnest tires.
2. Green River and Interurban trails<br/>Access the Green River Trail from Fort Dent Park for a ride that winds through scenic areas and eventually connects with the Interurban Trail, which takes you straight back. For a full loop, ride Green River out and Interurban back.
3. Snoqualmie Valley Trail<br/>Although not fully paved, this trail is rideable for most bikes even without knobby tires. Starting in Carnation, the trail leads to North Bend, where it connects with the Palouse to Cascade Trail at Iron Horse State Park.

For a few options closer to home, try riding along the waterfront to the Space Needle, riding from Golden Gardens to the Ballard Locks on the Burke-Gilman Trail or taking a loop around the Washington Park Arboretum.

A few more

Clarridge here: As a 20-year crime and breaking news reporter, I couldn't leave Minneapolis without going to see where George Floyd died and the blocks where a nationwide uprising began.

• I felt that I was going to see not a tourist site but a place of deep historical importance.
• The memorial on the street where Floyd died is beautifully tended with living plants and fresh flowers, and the whole intersection is decorated with murals, the names of people killed by police and a statue of a raised fist.