I am completely enamored with teaware. I love the varied styles and colors, materials, and cultural history. Whether they be traditional "Brown Betty" pots, gaiwan, tetsubin, or gongfu pots, I’m smitten. Over the years, my collection has grown considerably. In the early days I focused far more on English-style ceramic pots of varied sizes, shapes, and colors. Then I discovered glass and clay pots and I fell completely in love. I covet sharing pitchers and trays. I can also never resist the "perfect" cup or tea bowl. While I don’t like to play favorites among my collection, my kyusu is certainly one that always catches my eye.
Occasionally when you see a tea listed in a catalog or on a tea menu the name will be followed by a group of letters. I think many tea drinkers either ignore them altogether or they ascribe far more value to them than may be necessary. Let’s look at what they actually mean.
Japanese green teas are among my favorites. They have such rich, savory flavors and magnificent color.
There are certain phrases that suddenly seem to be everywhere. One doesn’t have to look hard to find ads for products that are "gluten-free," have "no trans fats," or are “tea-infused.”
When many of us started drinking tea, we were only drinking black tea. Quite honestly, I didn’t even know what KIND of black tea. It was black. It made a slightly bitter cup. It came in a tea bag. That was tea. I’m happy to say that I’ve learned a good bit about tea since then.
In my last post I spent a great deal of space talking about how to brew tea. (Or, rather, one of the many ways to brew tea.) I began to think about the question of infusers.
Preparing tea is not a complicated process, yet it is still easy to go very, very wrong.
Last week we talked about Camellia sinensis and the fact that all tea is made from its leaves. In this post I thought we’d explore the six types of tea that can be created: white, green, yellow, oolong, black, and puerh (POOH-air.)
Greetings from blog-land. It is my pleasure to have the opportunity to drop in weekly and explore the wonderful world of tea with you. I’ve been studying tea for more than a decade and have been writing about it for the past 2 1/2 years. Billy asked if I’d be willing to spend some time with you once a week, sharing some of what I know about tea. Off we go.
A revolutionary tea collection to satisfy the tea novice as well as the tea connoisseur. Indulge your sweet tooth, wake up with a jolt, or survive an economic meltdown.
Kokeicha is a unique green tea from Shizouka, Japan. Its made from tea powder that is turned into a paste by adding water.
We have added a new tea wallpaper, "A World of Tea" for download. High Resolution and iPhone versions available.
For centuries, tea has been enjoyed in loose form. Legend and tradition encompass tea in the form of ancient rituals and ceremony which deem it one of the most historic beverages of all time.
There are no definitive rules for brewing tea because good tea depends on personal preference, time, brewing methods, types of tea, water temperature, and amounts of tea. Brewing tea should be simple, easy, and enjoyable.
I've received a few questions about my background and history in tea from Jason Walker at Walker Tea Review.
Welcome to the Tea Blog, my name is Billy Shall, I'll be posting updates, tea news, and Tea Info.