Tea Cabinet – An Exploration of Herbs
A while ago, I was given this beautiful old cabinet originally used for holding Traditional Chinese Medicines, so that I can store all the varieties of my loose leaf tea collection. Each of these many rows of small draws have the names of a herb carved onto it. Before I put my leaves into it, I thought it would be interesting to find out a little about each of these herbs.
Posted in Culture and tagged cabinet, china, Chinese, culture, herbs, medicine, TCM, tea, traditional medicine
Of White Tea and Wuhuang
This year in Britain, summer arrived with a fiery flourish, got chased away by the rain and is now hiding, hesitant to emerge again. A great way to enhance the vibe of this lovely season amidst intermittently grey skies, gusts of wind and rain, is to drink white tea.
Posted in Culture and tagged cats, china, Chinese, comic, culture, feline, illustrator, manhua, review, tea, white tea
Taiping Hou Kui (Nothing But Tea)
As there was so much interest and enthusiasm surrounding the tea panel I appeared on at this year’s EasterCon21, I’m publishing a series of mini reviews on the spring teas I’m drinking this year, provided by the lovely NothingButTea.
Posted in Commentary and tagged china, Chinese, culture, green tea, review, tasting Taiping Hou Kui, tea
Fangcun Tea Markets: The Purveyors
It has become a tradition, on my trips to Guangzhou, to visit Qixiu tea market in FangCun, south-west of the city. I have written about this wonderful wholesale market a couple of times, where bulk-buyers and tea lovers alike may find their heart’s desire, and if not, at least taste delicious tea in good company, away from the hustle and bustle of the metropolis.
Posted in Culture and tagged china, Chinese, culture, market, merchants, tea
2016 Huoshan Yellow Bud (JING)
A flash review.
Posted in Commentary and tagged china, Chinese, culture, Huo Shan, JING, review, tea, yellow tea
Tea Drinking in China: Part I
As sipped my Lizhi Hong (Lychee Black) tea on this hot summer day, I thought of Guangzhou (Canton). In Britain, English tea is widely drunk. In China, whence tea originally came, tea drinking is even more pervasive, in all its categories and vareities. What is viewed as luxury tea over here, is widely drunk in China, and what is considered specialist know-how over here, is common practice over there.
Posted in Culture and tagged china, Chinese, culture, tea
Jing Teas: Gong Fu Tea Set
I am reviewing a modern and minimalist Gong Fu tea set from JING, together with a tasting of their lovely Golden Gong Fu black tea. With cleaning after each use, this glass set can serve any number of different types of tea. A perfect gift for the compulsive tea drinker. And whether you like a dark winter brew or some cleansing after the rich food of the festive season, the Golden Gong Fu is the perfect Christmas gift.
Posted in Commentary and tagged black tea, china, Chinese, christmas, culture, Gong Fu, JING tea, review, tea, tea ware
2015 No.32 Emperor Sencha (Teafields)
After a hectic month of conventions (attending and speaking at), I finally have a chance to continue my mini tea reviews, just what I need to relax and reset after an extremely busy season. Today I’ll be looking at Teafield’s No.32 Emperor Sencha.
Posted in Commentary and tagged china, Chinese, culture, green tea, Japan, review, Sencha, senchado, tasting, tea, Teafields
2015 No.1 Royal English Breakfast (Teafields)
As the second of my mini tea review series, I’m looking at Teafield’s No.1 Royal English Breakfast.
I know, a little out of my remit of Chinese culture, but the shared love of tea is something that (now) unites these two great cultures.
Posted in Commentary and tagged Assam, British, china, Chinese, culture, English, English Breakfast, Kenya, review, Royal Breakfast, tea, Teafields
2015 Midnight Musk (Teafields)
My last order from Teafields came with a little extra gift. Six tiny bags of tea leaves, as samples of their range. I reviewed the White Knight Silver Needle which I actually ordered, but have, until now, not had the time to give the samples the review I think they deserve.
Posted in Commentary and tagged ambry myrrh, black tea, china, Chinese, culture, Egyptian musk, review, spices, tea, Teafields