Author Archives: northernteaist

Kettles, Carriages, and the Lunar Module

Posted on February 6, 2016 by northernteaist

“Teaism….is essentially a worship of the Imperfect…” Okakura Kakuzō – The Book of Tea My Philips variable temperature kettle started to malfunction.

Posted in tea thoughts, teaware | Tagged , , , | 3 Comments

Maojian – The Darling Buds of Spring

Posted on February 5, 2016 by northernteaist

The name of this tea translates as Downy or Furry (mao) Tip (jian). This refers to the appearance of the tea whilst still on the bush, describing the soft hairs on the unopened leaf bud.

Posted in review, tea types | Tagged , , , , , | 3 Comments

Tea Haiku No. 2

Posted on February 4, 2016 by northernteaist

Green tea, sweet as hay, Leaves awaken, greet the dawn, Perfumed call to spring.

Posted in tea thoughts | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Biluochun – The Green Snail of Spring

Posted on February 3, 2016 by northernteaist

  Biluochun is yet another tea that invariably makes an appearance on any variant of the Famous Teas of China list, and as such is a tea well worth getting to know. The name of this tea translates as “Green … Continue reading →

Posted in review, tea types | Tagged , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Look After Your Leaves

Posted on February 2, 2016 by northernteaist

As the saying goes “You can’t make good tea out of bad leaves, but you can make bad tea out of good leaves“.

Posted in tea making techniques, teaware | Tagged , , , , , | 7 Comments

My First Taste Of Pu-erh

Posted on February 1, 2016 by northernteaist

If you like beer, then Belgium, with its dizzying array of spectacular ales, is the place for you. If you actually move there, as we did, then initially it feels as though you are the proverbial kid who has been … Continue reading →

Posted in review, tea types | Tagged , , , , | 5 Comments

Tea Haiku No. 1

Posted on January 31, 2016 by northernteaist

Red tea, dragon blood, Beats back the worst of winter, Stored essence of spring.

Posted in tea thoughts | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Mint Tea!

Posted on January 30, 2016 by northernteaist

In “The Tea Enthusiast’s Handbook“, by Mary Lou & Robert J. Heiss, the section on Green Gunpowder tea mentions the fact that Green Gunpowder is more often than not used as the starting point for North African mint teas.

Posted in tea making techniques, tea types | Tagged , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Green Tea, Red Pill

Posted on January 29, 2016 by northernteaist

Six a.m. I start my morning tea ritual, and as the well rehearsed movements begin the conscious mind is uncoupled, and decides to go off on a quick jaunt.

Posted in tea thoughts | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Put Some Pearls In Your Pot

Posted on January 28, 2016 by northernteaist

It’s said that green gunpowder tea got its English name due to the fact that it resembled the explosive charge of the same name, both being small, round, darkly coloured pellets.

Posted in review, tea types | Tagged , , , , | 9 Comments