• The rebirth of a teapot

    27/09/2009, posted by Cha in journal

    This was one of my first teapots that poured nicely. It was  a large teapot and I have used it for greens.  Unfortunately , it’s lid broke a while ago.  I am going to use the teapot in a different way now and it will continue to receive tea , as I feed my chili  plant only with tea.

    Teapot Rebirth
    Teapot Rebirth
    Teapot Rebirth
    Teapot Rebirth

    I added some tea leaves in the middle of the teapot
    I added some tea leaves in the middle of the teapot
    Teapot Rebirth
    Teapot Rebirth


    Categories:journal Tags:,

  • Brewing tea using a clasic teapot

    26/09/2009, posted by Cha in tea,video

    This video is for my main site. I don’t brew tea this way anymore and I know it’s basic for many of you , but still , here is the video.

    Categories:tea, video Tags:, , ,

  • A 2009 Pouchong from Canton Tea Co

    10/09/2009, posted by Cha in tea

    This #tea was part  of several generous samples kindly offered by @cantontea, who sent me some of their awarded teas and  another oolong tea that I requested. It was hard to decide which tea to try first ,  especially because almost every tea has an award .

    I have chosen  the 2009 pouchong sample ( baozhong in modern Pinyin romanization ), mainly because I never tried pouchong before, nor any taiwanese green tea.  I haven’t read the description  or anything related to it before brewing it for the first time. From the moment I saw  the leaves I said to myself that this tea looks like an oolong . The first time I brewed  the tea , I used water around 90C , as I do for most of the green teas I drink .  I was amazed and confused on how the taste reminded me of both a tie gua yin and a green tea. Nevertheless, it was delicious.  It lasted for six great  infusions.

    The package had a nice welcome note
    The package had a nice welcome note
    And a short introduction to the teas
    And a short introduction to the teas
    This is how a generous sample looks.
    This is how a generous sample looks.

    The tea leaves are beautiful
    The tea leaves are beautiful
    And they smell very nice too
    And they smell very nice too
    I placed the rest of the leaves in a airtight jar
    I placed the rest of the leaves in a airtight jar

    I used a gaiwan to brew this tea.
    I used a gaiwan to brew this tea.
    Infusion 1: I don't know why but I expected something similar to Tie Gua Yin
    Infusion 1: I don’t know why but I expected something similar to Tie Gua Yin
    The taste was very different at this point and had what I call a floral aftertaste
    The taste was very different at this point and had what I call a floral aftertaste

    Infusion 2:What I acknowledged as 'floral' intensified at this point. Good tea. I was thinking to use less tea in the next brewing session.
    Infusion 2:What I acknowledged as ‘floral’ intensified at this point. Good tea. I was thinking to use less tea in the next brewing session.
    Infusion 3: I didn't know 'officially' that this is a lightly fermented oolong, and I was thinking I am too obsessed by the resemblance.
    Infusion 3: I didn’t know ‘officially’ that this is a lightly fermented oolong, and I was thinking I am too obsessed by the resemblance.
    #4: Taste begins to drop a bit but the aftertaste got stronger.
    #4: Taste begins to drop a bit but the aftertaste got stronger.

    #5: I was thinking this is the last infusion , or else I would be late to work.
    #5: I was thinking this is the last infusion , or else I would be late to work.
    #6: But I couldn't resist and prepared #6. Pleasant taste , not like first infusions, but pleasant.
    #6: But I couldn’t resist and prepared #6. Pleasant taste , not like first infusions, but pleasant.
    One thing I really like about this tea is how the wet tea leaves look. Very beautiful.
    One thing I really like about this tea is how the wet tea leaves look. Very beautiful.



    After I brewed the tea the for the first time , I read more about it. According to Canton Tea Co:

    This is one of favourite teas and completely exclusive to Canton Tea Co. Grown high on the slopes of WenShan, Taipei county, by farmer Xu and his family, our award-winning Pouchong, which the locals call a green tea, is a actually very lightly fermented oolong. The big twisted leaves produce a bright yellow/green liquor that is truly outstanding: smooth, soft and delicious.

    And:

    Pouchong is one of the most famous of all Taiwan teas and ours is from one of the best producers. This deliciously smooth, very lightly oxidised green tea is almost an oolong. It has delicate floral notes with smooth, sweet undertones and a soft apricot finish.

    All the Pouchong produced at the Xu Family farm is bought up very quickly by local buyers. We are the only company outside Taiwan to have access to this exceptional tea.

    So a lightly fermented oolong.  Very cool. Next time I decided to brew it as an oolong. I had 6 or more infusions,  and the taste persisted longer, but the green tea resemblance was gone. I still have tea for one more brewing , so I think I’ll brew it at a lower temperature , as the first time.  However , it was delicious on both brewing sessions.


    And as a final note, this tea has won 2 gold stars in in 2009′s Guild of Fine Food Great Taste awards.

    Categories:tea Tags:, , , , , , ,