I have not been updating my blog for some time now as I am kind of working on my job relocation. Hence it has become a bit difficult to really enjoy my tea especially since my teaware have now been kept in storage.
However in a couple of months, I will be up and running again with pictures and reviews of my teaware and teas that I have bought in Macau.
If you are visiting my blog and reading this post, do leave me a comment about what you would like to read about and I will try to add that in my blog so that I can share with others what they think is relevant.
Once again, thank you for visiting this small blog of mine.
Thursday, October 15, 2009
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
A New Addition
Am I addicted to Tea of Teaware? I think more so the latter....
During my visit to Hong Kong, I made a deliberate effort to visit "Best Teahouse" given all the buzz about this wonderful teahouse. Before that, I popped into about half a dozen other teahouses which left me unimpressed.
Stepping into Best Teahouse, main branch, at Lai Chi Fok, was a pleasant change. I was surrounded by beautiful teaware and tea varieties.
I had no intention of buying anything as I had recently purchased 2 teapots and other Pu-er bings. But "unfortunately" my eyes were drawn to 2 teapots in the display case labelled "1970 - 1980 teapots".
Checked my wallet..........enough cash for either 1. Ater playing around with them and examining them for half an hour, my wife made the final decision and we chose the apple shaped Zhuni teapot.
So with great delight, I added a new teapot to my collection.
Enjoy the pictures below.
During my visit to Hong Kong, I made a deliberate effort to visit "Best Teahouse" given all the buzz about this wonderful teahouse. Before that, I popped into about half a dozen other teahouses which left me unimpressed.
Stepping into Best Teahouse, main branch, at Lai Chi Fok, was a pleasant change. I was surrounded by beautiful teaware and tea varieties.
I had no intention of buying anything as I had recently purchased 2 teapots and other Pu-er bings. But "unfortunately" my eyes were drawn to 2 teapots in the display case labelled "1970 - 1980 teapots".
Checked my wallet..........enough cash for either 1. Ater playing around with them and examining them for half an hour, my wife made the final decision and we chose the apple shaped Zhuni teapot.
So with great delight, I added a new teapot to my collection.
Enjoy the pictures below.
Thursday, May 14, 2009
Combo Picture
My wife is not with me this week, so I have some down time in my personal life.
Took this combo picture. Not exactly the most perfect of pictures. Still need to master flash and settings to get better pictures.
Oh, I have been drinking the 2008 Pu-Erh tea for the last few days. I also got a new Yixing Jar to store the pu-erh. A post on that will be coming soon.
Took this combo picture. Not exactly the most perfect of pictures. Still need to master flash and settings to get better pictures.
Oh, I have been drinking the 2008 Pu-Erh tea for the last few days. I also got a new Yixing Jar to store the pu-erh. A post on that will be coming soon.
Monday, May 4, 2009
Blind Leading the Blind
In the realm of Yixing teapots and clay, it is very much the blind leading the blind especially amongst the english educated and europeans who cant read chinese. Their knowledge is based on second hand information and translated by Babel fish.
So the more one researches on Yixing Teapots and Zisha clay using english, the more confused one gets. This is afterall largely a chinese culture and artform whereby one can only scratch the surface of this ancient topic using the english language.
While I may have studied mandarin for 10 years in Singapore, I never really paid much attention in class. I regret not mastering the chinese language better. There are so many great chinese forums relating specifically to Yixing teapot collections on the net, unfortunately I have a hard time desciphering what is contained within.
But who knows........... the lack of knowledge and confusion amongst even "experts" could be what makes Yixing teapots "Mysterious" and "exciting". As fellow teapot lovers continue in our quest for the Holygrail of teapots, be mindful of the many pitfalls and unscrupulous vendors that abound in this industry.
So the more one researches on Yixing Teapots and Zisha clay using english, the more confused one gets. This is afterall largely a chinese culture and artform whereby one can only scratch the surface of this ancient topic using the english language.
While I may have studied mandarin for 10 years in Singapore, I never really paid much attention in class. I regret not mastering the chinese language better. There are so many great chinese forums relating specifically to Yixing teapot collections on the net, unfortunately I have a hard time desciphering what is contained within.
But who knows........... the lack of knowledge and confusion amongst even "experts" could be what makes Yixing teapots "Mysterious" and "exciting". As fellow teapot lovers continue in our quest for the Holygrail of teapots, be mindful of the many pitfalls and unscrupulous vendors that abound in this industry.
Sunday, May 3, 2009
Teapot Philosphy
What got me started on this topic is a question I posed myself........"How many teapots am I gonna buy?"
And truthfully, I cannot answer that question without first dissecting the purpose of buying teapots.
I believe there are 2 main reasons why one buys teapots. 1) For brewing teas and 2) simply for the sake of building a collection of teapots. If I choose 1, then that ends my teapot buying and search as I already own 3 teapots. If I choose 2, I end up buying more teapots than I can use in my life time.
After giving it some thought, I decided that it is best I combine both reasons together when buying teapots. And by so doing, not only will I buy less, but I will only buy good quality teapots pieces that end up fufilling its purpose.
Hopefully by combining the 2 reasons for my future teapot purchase, I will be able to enhance a teapot's personal and sentimental value and thus making each teapot more special, enjoyable and memorable....... Of course it also greatly helps in justifying paying a higher price for a teapot to the Mrs.
And truthfully, I cannot answer that question without first dissecting the purpose of buying teapots.
I believe there are 2 main reasons why one buys teapots. 1) For brewing teas and 2) simply for the sake of building a collection of teapots. If I choose 1, then that ends my teapot buying and search as I already own 3 teapots. If I choose 2, I end up buying more teapots than I can use in my life time.
After giving it some thought, I decided that it is best I combine both reasons together when buying teapots. And by so doing, not only will I buy less, but I will only buy good quality teapots pieces that end up fufilling its purpose.
Hopefully by combining the 2 reasons for my future teapot purchase, I will be able to enhance a teapot's personal and sentimental value and thus making each teapot more special, enjoyable and memorable....... Of course it also greatly helps in justifying paying a higher price for a teapot to the Mrs.
Xishi Revealed
I am most excited about this purchase, thus it is with much happiness and pride that I officially present Ms Xishi to my blog readers (if I have any, Ha Ha!!)
I was torn between this teapot and the other Zisha Teapot made by Shen Chai Er. For practical reasons, the Zisha teapot was the obvious choice. However the clay and shape of this Xishi pot cried out to the collector in me. Due to a strong external influence, a.k.a wife,I had to make a choice between the 2.
In the end, a compromise was struck, and I was allowed to reserve Ms Xishi for 1 month.
Xishi actually refers to this specific shape of teapot which represents the Breast of Xishi, one of the 4 great beauties of China. However, I do not which breasts or if the size is correct. Nevertheless, it is a really cute teapot.
History of the teapot design: The enamel flower decorations on the teapot are from an Era when Yixing teapots were gaining popularity with Europeans around the 18th Century. However they found the Yixing clay rather boring as compared to their glazed and decorated teapots. I find the flower design on the teapot very apt for a Xishi teapot which makes it even more feminine.
Clay Material: This is the area that will probably stir up a hornets nest as many are sceptical when a teapot is supposedly made of "ZHUNI" as this clay is rare and considered to be extinct some 30 years ago. It is almost like the "Holy Grail" of clays for Yixing teapot collectors. Because of the high shrinkage of Zhuni, many teapots crack while firing and so there is a high failure rate. So couple the fact that the clay is rare and high failure rate, many teapot artist are reluctant to make teapots out of Zhuni now even if they have Zhuni clay in their storage.
Density: Zhuni is very dense. Much more than Duanni or Zisha. Compared to my Duanni teapot of similar size, my Xishi teapot is about 15% heavier.
Color: Zhuni is red in color. Some have described it as "Pig-Liver" color and I can for certain say that it looks like fresh pig liver. The color does change somewhat under lighting conditions because at times it almost becomes reddish brown especially after a tea session. This is indeed a very intriguing aspect of Zhuni Clay.
Function: Given the short spout, the flow is not as nice as my Duanni or Zisha teapot, but it is decently smooth. The lid fit is also good and water flow can be stopped by covering the breathing hole on the lid. So overall build quality is top notch for a Zhuni Clay teapot.
Personal Feelings: I feel fortunate to be able to add this Xishi teapot to my collection. Had I hesitated and let it slip past my fingers, I will surely regret it. Once again, many thanks to Cozy for holding it for me and keeping it away from many keen buyers.
I was torn between this teapot and the other Zisha Teapot made by Shen Chai Er. For practical reasons, the Zisha teapot was the obvious choice. However the clay and shape of this Xishi pot cried out to the collector in me. Due to a strong external influence, a.k.a wife,I had to make a choice between the 2.
In the end, a compromise was struck, and I was allowed to reserve Ms Xishi for 1 month.
Xishi actually refers to this specific shape of teapot which represents the Breast of Xishi, one of the 4 great beauties of China. However, I do not which breasts or if the size is correct. Nevertheless, it is a really cute teapot.
History of the teapot design: The enamel flower decorations on the teapot are from an Era when Yixing teapots were gaining popularity with Europeans around the 18th Century. However they found the Yixing clay rather boring as compared to their glazed and decorated teapots. I find the flower design on the teapot very apt for a Xishi teapot which makes it even more feminine.
Clay Material: This is the area that will probably stir up a hornets nest as many are sceptical when a teapot is supposedly made of "ZHUNI" as this clay is rare and considered to be extinct some 30 years ago. It is almost like the "Holy Grail" of clays for Yixing teapot collectors. Because of the high shrinkage of Zhuni, many teapots crack while firing and so there is a high failure rate. So couple the fact that the clay is rare and high failure rate, many teapot artist are reluctant to make teapots out of Zhuni now even if they have Zhuni clay in their storage.
Density: Zhuni is very dense. Much more than Duanni or Zisha. Compared to my Duanni teapot of similar size, my Xishi teapot is about 15% heavier.
Color: Zhuni is red in color. Some have described it as "Pig-Liver" color and I can for certain say that it looks like fresh pig liver. The color does change somewhat under lighting conditions because at times it almost becomes reddish brown especially after a tea session. This is indeed a very intriguing aspect of Zhuni Clay.
Function: Given the short spout, the flow is not as nice as my Duanni or Zisha teapot, but it is decently smooth. The lid fit is also good and water flow can be stopped by covering the breathing hole on the lid. So overall build quality is top notch for a Zhuni Clay teapot.
Personal Feelings: I feel fortunate to be able to add this Xishi teapot to my collection. Had I hesitated and let it slip past my fingers, I will surely regret it. Once again, many thanks to Cozy for holding it for me and keeping it away from many keen buyers.
Cozy Teahouse 2009 - (F) Pu-Erh
In addition to the 2008 fermented Pu-er cake, I also purchased this 2009 Pu-Er cake made from 2005 leaves.
The leaves are younger than that of the 2008 cake so it has a less "earthy" taste. As it is a wet-stored cake, there is still a "shui" taste to it, thus it needs to be stored for another year before it is good for drinking.
This cake costs MOP200 because the tea leaves are of better quality than the 2008 cake.
I will let it sit for another year and then update when I start tasting it.
The leaves are younger than that of the 2008 cake so it has a less "earthy" taste. As it is a wet-stored cake, there is still a "shui" taste to it, thus it needs to be stored for another year before it is good for drinking.
This cake costs MOP200 because the tea leaves are of better quality than the 2008 cake.
I will let it sit for another year and then update when I start tasting it.
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