Archive for the ‘tea paraphernalia’ Category

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tea monkey infuser


2012
02.18

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Posted in tea gear, tea paraphernalia | 7 Comments »

The longer I take part in this tea blogging lark the more curious tea-related stuff I find. This I found a while back in Nice, and I knew I’d include it here at some point.

It’s a bit of a stalling technique to be completely honest. Went to a Bio Messe in Nürnberg yesterday, and there was more than enough tea. Tea companies, and health food companies that have tea brands, and different countries promoting their tea industry.

But the thing is: it was a bit much. It’s going to take me a bit of time to sift through all the information. So that’s why you’re getting my distraction blogpost. Look at the shiny tea monkey infuser.

I had the last leaves of a nondescript Keemun, and it was the perfect amount for a cup of tea. The tea monkey infuser was practically making monkey sounds in desperation that he be used.

ooh ooh ooh
taking a dip

I crammed the tea inside, clasped it shut, and several minutes later I had the perfect cup of tea.

It really was a nice cup of tea. I did spend a bit of time wondering what material the thing was made of (It’s not a real monkey, you know?).

But it looks like stainless steel, and although there are probably studies that say stainless steel is a dangerous material in which to cook (or steep) things, it’s probably too late for me to worry about such warnings.

And here we are after all that hard work…a photo of the cuppa and the very satisfied looking monkey.

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little Gaiwan’s workload


2011
07.22

Posted in form, function, Gaiwan, Gong Fu, tea gear, tea paraphernalia, Uncategorized | 1 Comment »


* (the red dragon attempting to take my tea) *

How do you welcome a new teapot into your life? It’s a ridiculous question, but I was thinking about the interview I might have with a piece of tea paraphernalia before taking it back to a very good home. Mine.

Many tea fanatics have excessive gear. Pots as well as cups and saucers and the list is rather endless…In order to call myself a tea obsessive, I’m not even sure what stuff I’m missing . I know my cupboard is light when it comes to this subject.

But I do have a growing collection, and typically I go for function rather than form. When I was first experimenting with Gong Fu brewing, I didn’t even have a glass teapot, so I was using a large measuring beaker. Thought I’d written more extensively about that here, but maybe in a moment of wisdom, I destroyed the evidence.

Wrote about one of my favourite pieces of tea gear in shrinking my teapots. Still like the photo of that teapot from the dead of winter.

But without further ado, here’s my relatively new little Gaiwan:

What would I ask the little guy if I wanted to let him know that a teapot’s existence might be a bit overwhelming? Don’t want to freak him out before he even gets accustomed to his new digs. But in the interest of full disclosure, it’s probably best that I’m up front about the workload around here. At least for such a little Gaiwan.

Why wouldn’t he be thrilled at the opportunity? What else is his purpose as a piece of tea paraphernalia? You know, that’s the path to just taking your tea gear for granted.