If you follow this city's food and drink industry, you're probably already aware that Steven Smith passed away last night at the age of 65.
We can't really sum up Steven Smith's many accomplishments and singular life better than the way The Oregonian's Richard Read did, but here's a bit of background on the man who revolutionized the way we think about tea.
In the 1970s, Smith partnered into Stash Teas, which enjoyed a cult success until it mainstreamed within the decade.
In the mid-90s, he founded Tazo, which he later sold to Starbucks just five years later.
And just a few years ago, he returned to tea and continued to tinker with it with Smith Teamaker, whose teas you can find on pretty much any menu in any part of town.
He'll certainly be missed by his wife, his kids and the rest of his family, as well by Portland, and the beverage industry as a whole.
They just don't make ‘em like that anymore.