Monthly Archives: January 2016

The Last Cup

Posted on January 21, 2016 by northernteaist

The kitchen is almost empty, and the light bulb shines down without so much as a shade around it, shockingly naked, giving the light it emits a hard, brittle feel. The only things left are an electric kettle, a now … Continue reading →

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Chai Masala – Spiced Indian Tea

Posted on January 20, 2016 by northernteaist

Although it has to be said that my primary focus is on Chinese teas, I do occasionally drink teas from other parts of the world. Chai Masala is an Indian spiced tea. “Chai” is the Hindi word for the tea … Continue reading →

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Chinese Serendipi-tea – Xuefeng Ti Kuan Yin

Posted on January 19, 2016 by northernteaist

I was once told by an Italian that if I wanted decent olive oil and tomatoes then the last place I should be going was the local supermarket. The good stuff, she said, never left the Italosphere. Follow the Italians, … Continue reading →

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Tea Techniques – Balls, Bags, and Filters

Posted on January 18, 2016 by northernteaist

One of the first books I bought when I began to take tea seriously was “The Tea Enthusiast’s Handbook“, by Mary Lou Heiss and Robert J. Heiss.

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The Book and the Bridge

Posted on January 17, 2016 by northernteaist

It is early, and the street lights have just winked out, a polite cough of a reminder to the night that the day has up until now been waiting patiently, but has a lot to do today, so if you … Continue reading →

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The Pursuit Of Truth & Beauty

Posted on January 16, 2016 by northernteaist

In one of my favourite YouTube videos Prof. Yip Waiman, president of the Hong Kong Teaism Alliance, discusses the nature of the Teaism practised in Hong Kong.

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The Forgotten Rose and Norwood’s Nibbles

Posted on January 15, 2016 by northernteaist

I was having a bit of a tidy-up yesterday afternoon and happened across a tea collection I’d forgotten I had.

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Tea Techniques – Water

Posted on January 14, 2016 by northernteaist

I think it’s important to remember that, from a purely practical point of view, the end result of any tea ritual has to be as good a cup of tea as possible. Let’s consider water. As tea-sage James Norwood Pratt … Continue reading →

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The Ethereal Cup

Posted on January 13, 2016 by northernteaist
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Fuss Free Asian Infusion

Posted on January 12, 2016 by northernteaist

Last year for my birthday I was lucky enough to receive a Samadoyo E-01 teapot. The idea behind this clever device is to give you a simplified version of “Asian” style infusion, i.e. more tea leaves per volume of water, … Continue reading →

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