Comment: a few other points I didn’t mention: 1) Decanting into a pitcher helps even-out the tea liquor. The tea liquor at the top of a gaiwan is thinner and lighter than at the bottom. Decanting into a pitcher evenly distributes the liquor. 2) Wash thoroughly and dry separately. Wet parts can stick together when dry, then become unstuck at inopportune moments. This means breakage, chips, and cracks.
Share your gaiwan questions and experiences as well.
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Walker Tea Review- a tea blog with tea reviews and tea tastings.
Want to see a tea reviewed? Contact me: jason@walkerteareview.com
Story goes that Lu Yu climbed one of the Sacred mountains of China (every telling names a different mountain), and drank tea for 40 days before descending and presenting these
10 Commandments of Tea.
Thou shalt Try new teas. If you can’t describe your tea beyond “Lipt_n green,” you haven’t really explored the world of tea.
Thou shalt Go loose and natural. Tea blends were originally designed to mask inferior teas. Get some loose tea with no added flavors. You’ll be amazed at the varieties of wonderful flavors in good teas.
Thou shalt Smell your leaves.
Thou shalt Use fresh tea.
Thou shalt Use filtered water. Boil it in a kettle, and take it off the heat just as it starts to boil.
Thou shalt Experiment with preparation. Teas get bitter when you steep too long, or use too much leaf. Steeping too short leaves your tea too weak. Printed instructions are just a guide.
Thou shalt Have some familiarity with a tea’s origin. You will develop an appreciation of how earth and people have contributed to the cup you are drinking.
Thou shalt Use a proper cup- no paper and avoid plastic.
Thou shalt Keep a tea journal. Look at my How to Taste page under Things to Note During a Tasting
Thou shalt Support your tea community. When you discover a sweet ambrosia, you’ll want to share that finding. You’ll also want to search for other delightful tea nectars. Your tea community will prove immensely valuable.
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Story goes that Lu Yu climbed one of the Sacred mountains of China (every telling names a different mountain), and drank tea for 40 days before descending and presenting these
