It's All About Tea — teaware

Blanc De Chine Porcelain is a style of Chinese pottery. Blanc De Chine translates from French as "White from China." It is known as Dehua Porcelain in China. This porcelain style originated in Dehua, Fujian province, China, during the Ming Dynasty (1368–1644). (Read more)

Many Gong Fu tea brewers divide into two categories: the ones who prefer to only use gaiwan; and the ones who stick with the trusty dusty teapot. Of course, there's also a third category — those who use both. We see ourselves as the third category. 

When using the gaiwan some things which may be intimidating are the hot water temperature and the unusual way of gripping this tea vessel. Sure, using a teapot will usually ensure that your fingers don't get burned. However, if you follow the steps to properly using a gaiwan, the chances of burning yourself are just as minimal as with a teapot! (Read more)

 

The story of fine ceramics in China is inextricably linked to the evolution of Chinese Tea Culture. During the Song Dynasty, Henan province flourished as the cultural and economic heart of the empire, where the arts reached an apex of sophistication. It was during this era of whisked powdered tea (Dian Cha) that the renowned Ru Ware (Ru Yao) emerged, at first as elegant bowls and vessels designed to complement the aesthetics of the imperial court. While the teapot itself would not be invented until the Ming Dynasty, the legacy of Ru-style stoneware began here, setting a standard of beauty that tea lovers still revere today. (Read more)

Any tea advice blog you turn to will say the same thing. Never use soap to wash your teaware. This is absolutely correct. Soaps and detergents can impart unfavorable flavors on delicate teaware. Usually, a quick rinse with hot water should suffice. However, what about those times that our teaware needs a little extra cleaning? (Read more)

Learning the sophisticated art of gong fu cha, we begin to understand the subtleties involved. First, we learn that tea is alive. And only by treating tea properly, preparing it the way it deserves, we are granted an impeccable, sweet, and aromatic brew.

Then we learn about teaware. We understand how to take care of the teaware — with care and never using dish soap. Gently drying after each use. We also learn that teaware is alive, particularly the clay from which the teaware is made.

A Yixing teapot is not just about the clay's porosity, the way it looks, the name, or even the way it makes your tea taste. It is all about the way you take care of it. If not correctly taken care of, a Yixing teapot is just about as useful as a run-of-the-mill ceramic teapot. (Read more)