Robert,
Your email inquiring tea recommendation is received, however we tried writing back via the email you provided beginning with "green", somehow it's not a deliverable address.
Please email me again when you get a chance.
You may also check out this current stock recommendation list, updates are done periodically.
http://tea-obsession.blogspot.com/2011/09/whats-good-now.html
Thank you for your interest!
Showing posts with label misc. Show all posts
Showing posts with label misc. Show all posts
Wednesday, October 12, 2011
Saturday, February 20, 2010
Moving
Tea Habitat is moving to another location, the PV store will be closed starting Monday Feb 22nd. We will announce our reopening date and location once everything is finalized. During the moving period, our online store is still in operation as usual. Thank you for your patronage and look forward to serving you better at a more convenient location.
Thursday, January 07, 2010
My last name 单 - Shan4
It's a shocking day! I have not had an emotional day like today for a long time, I actually cried. The last time was reading Lu You and Tang Wan, but that doesn't count since it had nothing to do with me.
While I was in Guang Zhou, I met a couple which we had a brief discussion about population migration in Guang Dong Province, and my last name caught her attention. My last name is rather unusual in Chinese. She told me it must be from a noble ancestry. Chinese uses a phrase Gui Xing (noble/precious last name) when asking another person's last name due to respect as common practice. But Chinese phrases are rarely composed randomly. So the more rare the more noble?
Shan's family history
Today, some how, out of the blue, totally random, I googled my last name 单 - Shan4. I am related to Zhou Cheng Wang (1055 - 1021 BC) - 2nd emperor of 周 Zhou dynasty! Zhou Cheng Wang assigned land (county) in He Nan today to his youngest son, named the land 单邑 - Shan4 Yi4 (county). His descendants take on the last name 单 after the assigned county name ever since. The original last name of the Zhou family and also mine was 姬 - Ji. The entire family are descendants of 黄帝 - Huang Di, 1 of the 5 earliest Chinese emperors in the history. Huang Di's original last name was 公孙 - Gong Shun, he lived in 姬水, He Nan region for a long time, then changed his last name to 姬 - Ji. Zhou Wu Wang assigned over 53 counties to the dukes and princesses of his, each descendant later took on name of the county as last name. 姬 - Ji was no longer a main last name as in the 黄帝 - Huang Di period for that reason.
Zhou Cheng Wang is son of Zhou Wu Wang whom is the son of Zhou Wen Wang. Naturally, the Shans were one of noble families of the Zhou dynasty, over 20 generations had important seats in the parliament during Zhou Dynasty.
Zhou Wen Wang is the original author of Zhou Yi, Confucius and his dispels translated it into Yi Jing (I-Ching). The king of Chinese Classic books which shaped the Chinese culture for over 3 thousand years.
It's not up to me to decide whether I should believe in fate. Zhou Yi has been my latest obsession, it has changed my mind set, it has changed my attitude, it has changed my perception of universal matters. I owe it to this 3000 years old ancient Chinese classic of philosophy for everything happening and taking changes in my life now and till the day I die. This is a book I worship!!! When I read philosophy books from the west and the east, I find my brain wave is more coherent with the eastern philosophy, so I automatically assumed me being Chinese, my mind is bias subconsciously. Now that I found out Zhou Wen Wang (author) is my ancestor, the shock was beyond imaginable. I have Zhou Yi in my blood!!!! This is the biggest news since the day I was born! :P
Through out Chinese history, Shan's has produced many famous and capable generals, politicians, poets, inventors, and a LOT of 进士-Jin Shi. Today, there are about half a million Shan's in China. The migration in the last 3 thousand years began at He Nan, west to Gan Shu/Yunnan/Sichuan, east to Shanxi/Shannxi/Shandong/Anhui/Zhejian/Jianxi/Shuzhou, the eastern branch split up north to Shenyang/Jilin, and south to Guangdong/Fujian, this branch has branched out to over seas countries like myself. My family is the Guangdong branch station in Dongguan. Today, a Shan's family Ci Tang is still standing in Dongguan which I'll visit one day. A family tree wood carved print record from the Qing Dynasty of this Guangdong branch is now at Utah Last Name Research Association! How convenient, I'll bug the heck out of them one day! I want to see it in person!!!! Btw, what the heck is a Chinese last name family record doing in Utah???
Boy, that's a lot to live up to after finding out there are so many of my ancestors were over achievers year after year for so many thousands years. No mater what, I am soooo darn proud of my heritage!
Tracing back the family tree is fun.... I was a 公孙 - Gong Shun, then a 姬 - Ji, now a 单 - Shan. :D
Zhou dynasty combined Western and eastern Zhou, together is an almost 800 years old empire which is the longest dynasty in Chinese history. Its longevity had much to do with Zhou Wen Wang's philosophy, Zhou Yi.
I should keep this hush hush, 黄帝 - Huang Di defeated 炎帝 (神农氏 - Shen Nong Shi), the discoverer of tea... I am born to pay a 5 thousand years old Karma bill?! :P
While I was in Guang Zhou, I met a couple which we had a brief discussion about population migration in Guang Dong Province, and my last name caught her attention. My last name is rather unusual in Chinese. She told me it must be from a noble ancestry. Chinese uses a phrase Gui Xing (noble/precious last name) when asking another person's last name due to respect as common practice. But Chinese phrases are rarely composed randomly. So the more rare the more noble?
Shan's family history
Today, some how, out of the blue, totally random, I googled my last name 单 - Shan4. I am related to Zhou Cheng Wang (1055 - 1021 BC) - 2nd emperor of 周 Zhou dynasty! Zhou Cheng Wang assigned land (county) in He Nan today to his youngest son, named the land 单邑 - Shan4 Yi4 (county). His descendants take on the last name 单 after the assigned county name ever since. The original last name of the Zhou family and also mine was 姬 - Ji. The entire family are descendants of 黄帝 - Huang Di, 1 of the 5 earliest Chinese emperors in the history. Huang Di's original last name was 公孙 - Gong Shun, he lived in 姬水, He Nan region for a long time, then changed his last name to 姬 - Ji. Zhou Wu Wang assigned over 53 counties to the dukes and princesses of his, each descendant later took on name of the county as last name. 姬 - Ji was no longer a main last name as in the 黄帝 - Huang Di period for that reason.
Zhou Cheng Wang is son of Zhou Wu Wang whom is the son of Zhou Wen Wang. Naturally, the Shans were one of noble families of the Zhou dynasty, over 20 generations had important seats in the parliament during Zhou Dynasty.
Zhou Wen Wang is the original author of Zhou Yi, Confucius and his dispels translated it into Yi Jing (I-Ching). The king of Chinese Classic books which shaped the Chinese culture for over 3 thousand years.
It's not up to me to decide whether I should believe in fate. Zhou Yi has been my latest obsession, it has changed my mind set, it has changed my attitude, it has changed my perception of universal matters. I owe it to this 3000 years old ancient Chinese classic of philosophy for everything happening and taking changes in my life now and till the day I die. This is a book I worship!!! When I read philosophy books from the west and the east, I find my brain wave is more coherent with the eastern philosophy, so I automatically assumed me being Chinese, my mind is bias subconsciously. Now that I found out Zhou Wen Wang (author) is my ancestor, the shock was beyond imaginable. I have Zhou Yi in my blood!!!! This is the biggest news since the day I was born! :P
Through out Chinese history, Shan's has produced many famous and capable generals, politicians, poets, inventors, and a LOT of 进士-Jin Shi. Today, there are about half a million Shan's in China. The migration in the last 3 thousand years began at He Nan, west to Gan Shu/Yunnan/Sichuan, east to Shanxi/Shannxi/Shandong/Anhui/Zhejian/Jianxi/Shuzhou, the eastern branch split up north to Shenyang/Jilin, and south to Guangdong/Fujian, this branch has branched out to over seas countries like myself. My family is the Guangdong branch station in Dongguan. Today, a Shan's family Ci Tang is still standing in Dongguan which I'll visit one day. A family tree wood carved print record from the Qing Dynasty of this Guangdong branch is now at Utah Last Name Research Association! How convenient, I'll bug the heck out of them one day! I want to see it in person!!!! Btw, what the heck is a Chinese last name family record doing in Utah???
Boy, that's a lot to live up to after finding out there are so many of my ancestors were over achievers year after year for so many thousands years. No mater what, I am soooo darn proud of my heritage!
Tracing back the family tree is fun.... I was a 公孙 - Gong Shun, then a 姬 - Ji, now a 单 - Shan. :D
Zhou dynasty combined Western and eastern Zhou, together is an almost 800 years old empire which is the longest dynasty in Chinese history. Its longevity had much to do with Zhou Wen Wang's philosophy, Zhou Yi.
I should keep this hush hush, 黄帝 - Huang Di defeated 炎帝 (神农氏 - Shen Nong Shi), the discoverer of tea... I am born to pay a 5 thousand years old Karma bill?! :P
Thursday, December 17, 2009
Cities I had been to in China
Landing city: Guang Zhou, then Chao Zhou, Xia Men, Fu Zhou, Fu Ding, Tai Shun, Wen Zhou, Shen Zhen, back to Guang Zhou to fly back.
Total of 8 cities in less than 3 weeks. There were days we hit 2 cities in a day. Along the way, I was getting free teas left and right.
Gifts from my master:
74 Lu Tian Cha Bing, a museum piece now collected by the Hang Zhou Tea Museum. priced at 4 figures USD
45+ years old bush dan cong (was sold for 5 figures USD)
20+ years old bush dan cong
100+ years old dan cong worm shit (extremely medicinal) in a Ming dynasty blue white ceramic container (There is no price tag, not available for sale)
All of these teas were once belonged to the state run tea factory in Chao Zhou, they were yearly samples kept through out the years. What I have are small quantities, prices are per 500 g. They mean a lot more to me than its market value.
Tieguanyin from Xia Men
A whole bunch of teas are shipping to me from Fu Zhou (not sure what they all are)
White and black teas, 92 Bai Mu Dan White tea and some extremely rare white tea from Fu Ding, I was told DO NOT give these away, they were sold in the 4 figures USD.
San Bei Xiang, Long Jing, Silver Needles and some other green teas from Tai Shun, affordable prices and great teas. Much better green teas than most of what I had. Will consider offering their products next spring.
No tea from Wen Zhou
03 Liu Bao small flower buds teas, 09 Liu Bao large flower buds tea from Shen Zhen.
I love China! :D
Total of 8 cities in less than 3 weeks. There were days we hit 2 cities in a day. Along the way, I was getting free teas left and right.
Gifts from my master:
74 Lu Tian Cha Bing, a museum piece now collected by the Hang Zhou Tea Museum. priced at 4 figures USD
45+ years old bush dan cong (was sold for 5 figures USD)
20+ years old bush dan cong
100+ years old dan cong worm shit (extremely medicinal) in a Ming dynasty blue white ceramic container (There is no price tag, not available for sale)
All of these teas were once belonged to the state run tea factory in Chao Zhou, they were yearly samples kept through out the years. What I have are small quantities, prices are per 500 g. They mean a lot more to me than its market value.
Tieguanyin from Xia Men
A whole bunch of teas are shipping to me from Fu Zhou (not sure what they all are)
White and black teas, 92 Bai Mu Dan White tea and some extremely rare white tea from Fu Ding, I was told DO NOT give these away, they were sold in the 4 figures USD.
San Bei Xiang, Long Jing, Silver Needles and some other green teas from Tai Shun, affordable prices and great teas. Much better green teas than most of what I had. Will consider offering their products next spring.
No tea from Wen Zhou
03 Liu Bao small flower buds teas, 09 Liu Bao large flower buds tea from Shen Zhen.
I love China! :D
Monday, December 14, 2009
Back to LA - 2 tea expos
Private Tea Museum in Shen Zhen.
I am back for a day from my 3 weeks long trip to China. Went to work at the shop on Sunday, and very happy to see some familiar faces! Had dinner with friends on Saturday (landing day) night and Sunday night. I am now jet lagging and sleepless in early hours on Monday.
Thinking I should catch up on the pictures and turns out my card reader won't read this flash card I bought from China. I ran out of space fast (less than a week). Will find a way to download pictures tomorrow or whenever that happens.
Anyways, I'll just write along as I fast reverse to 3 weeks ago. It was great experience, great trip with some minor dislikes. If I were there alone, I'd have hated most of the trip and came home much earlier. Over all I enjoyed the bigger and positive aspects of the trip, hated the air and common people quality.
My plane landed in Guang Zhou on the 25th. I attended the Guang Zhou tea expo from the 26th thru the 30th, hang around the exhibit booth of my tea master's most of the time. It had over 1100 vendors, green, white, oolong, red, black, pu-erh, herb, tea pots, furniture and some other odds and end stuff. It's overwhelming, all I bought at the show were tea wares, not even 1 tea. I was frighten by the pretty sales girls, they follow you so close and bark at your ears constantly, they actually spit on your face. I HATE pretty sales girls in China at any store. Speaking of which, most people in China only speak to you when you dress nicely and LOOK rich. Otherwise they won't answer your questions and give you dirty looks. *sigh* When I am on the road, sweat pants and t-shirt or long sleeve shirt are my preferred and only outfit, comfort comes first no mater what. So after 20 hours of flying, 1 hours of taxi ride to the hotel. The girls at the front desk informed me my reservation did not exist. No cell phone, no master insight, I panicked a little and asked for a public phone. Her answer was "it's out side". Out side of where????? I walked over to the next hotel and ask for reservation and phone, they were nicer and charged me for phone usage. So I was told the first hotel was the correct one, I wandered back and book a room right there and then. After a shower and changed into decent clothing, I walked down to the lobby all refreshed. Guess what, the 2 exact same girls were looking at me like I am a whole new person WITH money. They nicely initiated conversation with me for no reason other than I looked like I had money. I wanted to slap the shit out of these snobbish bitches. What right do they have to discriminate anyone based on packaging. Sadly this is common in China. If you can be nice, be nice equally, or discriminate equally! I'd have more respect for them if they weren't nice to me after I changed clothing. Anyways, enough bitching of 1 out of many little incidents I disliked.
4.5 days at the tea expo was fun. My perception is lots mediocre teas, most of them are in the range of 300 to 400 rmb (it's the most common spending level per 500g). 80% of the teas fall in this price range. There are some good teas, but NO outstanding teas. I was later told that, most people ask for free samples, the vendors can not afford to give away good teas, so you won't find them at the expo or any ordinary tea shops. Simply there is not enough great teas to go around, either people keep them for self consumption or sold to the elites and powerful only. Some times money can't buy you happiness, in this case great tea. You need to know the right people, show you are worthy and genuine, and have the money to pay for it. Well, this is a problem created by 12 billions population. There are way too many people fighting for the small quantity, also wealth in general. Business sales in China are VERY aggressive. Life is less complicated here in the west I supposed, and gladly so.
Thursday night, my tea master was invited to give a lecture about Tea culture emphasizing on Gong Fu Cha at the Hua Nan Nong Ye University-China South Agriculture University in Guang Zhou. This is the first time I had the chance to sit in his lecture. I ONLY learned how to brew tea during this trip, as I did not know how to brew tea previously. No one can brew tea with that much science to back up each and every move like he does. I learned a lot about Dan Cong, but very little on brewing technique from him previously. This is a whole new level of tea brewing for me. This is also the first lecture he talked about the science of tea brewing (because his best student is in the class :P), reason being not that many people know enough to comprehend and able to utilize it. And surely but sadly, after 2.5 hours of lecturing, a graduate student brewed tea for the 7 of us, he did not get a word out of the lecture, after my master showed him twice how to pour water and tea, he still didn't get it. I walked away and I could feel my master's anger and despair. He later told us he wanted to scold the professor for misleading the kids. Today's young minds in China are so naive and immalleable. It makes me ill to think all the knowledge of the wise could be lost because today's young people do not find them meaningful and valuable. One thing my tea master said has sadden me: when you drink tea at this level, you become lonely and self-isolated simply because no one else can understand you even though a trainful of people swamp you inquest of your knowledge. I think this philosophy applies to anyone who has mastered extremity of any given subject.
The last 3 days of my trip I spent in Shen Zhen, a city only 1.5 hours away from Guang Zhou. This wasn't on my original plan, but turned out great. The primarily reason for the detour was to attend the International Tea Culture Research and Exchange Meeting. This meeting also coincided with the 2nd annual Shen Zhen Tea Expo which is much smaller than the Guang Zhou expo. The first evening we had Hang Zhou cuisine, which I didn't have to be there to enjoy. I felt my detour from Hang Zhou was made up in a way. :)
During the meeting a bunch of the top guns showed up, researchers, city councils, provincial agricultural department heads from most of the tea producing regions showed up. My grand tea master - master of my master showed up as well. The meeting began from the 9th to the 12th, about 80 attendees from 16 provinces, Japan, Korea and me from the US. The group was invited to have a casual tea meeting at a private tea museum. A collection of clay pots, old teas, tools, books and paintings were opened to our viewing. My favorite is the long scroll of Chinese calligraphy of Tea Classic goes from the front all the way to the end of the hall way, about 50 yards long.
I picked up a couple of teas at this expo knowing I am coming home at the end of my exile. I'd buy more if I had more time. Both are tea flower teas from Liu Bao tea trees, one is all tiny flower buds about 6 years old, one is large buds-almost open, freshly picked recently (tea trees bloom in Nov). They are very different, the fresh one is spicy, the older one is sweet and soothing, my British boy calls it aromatic air as you swallow it. The fragrance lasts 15 brews. I wanted to buy her out if I could carry that much weight. :P
My eyes are sleepy finally... Will continue with my stories in early mornings of god knows how many more to come... :D
I am back for a day from my 3 weeks long trip to China. Went to work at the shop on Sunday, and very happy to see some familiar faces! Had dinner with friends on Saturday (landing day) night and Sunday night. I am now jet lagging and sleepless in early hours on Monday.
Thinking I should catch up on the pictures and turns out my card reader won't read this flash card I bought from China. I ran out of space fast (less than a week). Will find a way to download pictures tomorrow or whenever that happens.
Anyways, I'll just write along as I fast reverse to 3 weeks ago. It was great experience, great trip with some minor dislikes. If I were there alone, I'd have hated most of the trip and came home much earlier. Over all I enjoyed the bigger and positive aspects of the trip, hated the air and common people quality.
My plane landed in Guang Zhou on the 25th. I attended the Guang Zhou tea expo from the 26th thru the 30th, hang around the exhibit booth of my tea master's most of the time. It had over 1100 vendors, green, white, oolong, red, black, pu-erh, herb, tea pots, furniture and some other odds and end stuff. It's overwhelming, all I bought at the show were tea wares, not even 1 tea. I was frighten by the pretty sales girls, they follow you so close and bark at your ears constantly, they actually spit on your face. I HATE pretty sales girls in China at any store. Speaking of which, most people in China only speak to you when you dress nicely and LOOK rich. Otherwise they won't answer your questions and give you dirty looks. *sigh* When I am on the road, sweat pants and t-shirt or long sleeve shirt are my preferred and only outfit, comfort comes first no mater what. So after 20 hours of flying, 1 hours of taxi ride to the hotel. The girls at the front desk informed me my reservation did not exist. No cell phone, no master insight, I panicked a little and asked for a public phone. Her answer was "it's out side". Out side of where????? I walked over to the next hotel and ask for reservation and phone, they were nicer and charged me for phone usage. So I was told the first hotel was the correct one, I wandered back and book a room right there and then. After a shower and changed into decent clothing, I walked down to the lobby all refreshed. Guess what, the 2 exact same girls were looking at me like I am a whole new person WITH money. They nicely initiated conversation with me for no reason other than I looked like I had money. I wanted to slap the shit out of these snobbish bitches. What right do they have to discriminate anyone based on packaging. Sadly this is common in China. If you can be nice, be nice equally, or discriminate equally! I'd have more respect for them if they weren't nice to me after I changed clothing. Anyways, enough bitching of 1 out of many little incidents I disliked.
4.5 days at the tea expo was fun. My perception is lots mediocre teas, most of them are in the range of 300 to 400 rmb (it's the most common spending level per 500g). 80% of the teas fall in this price range. There are some good teas, but NO outstanding teas. I was later told that, most people ask for free samples, the vendors can not afford to give away good teas, so you won't find them at the expo or any ordinary tea shops. Simply there is not enough great teas to go around, either people keep them for self consumption or sold to the elites and powerful only. Some times money can't buy you happiness, in this case great tea. You need to know the right people, show you are worthy and genuine, and have the money to pay for it. Well, this is a problem created by 12 billions population. There are way too many people fighting for the small quantity, also wealth in general. Business sales in China are VERY aggressive. Life is less complicated here in the west I supposed, and gladly so.
Thursday night, my tea master was invited to give a lecture about Tea culture emphasizing on Gong Fu Cha at the Hua Nan Nong Ye University-China South Agriculture University in Guang Zhou. This is the first time I had the chance to sit in his lecture. I ONLY learned how to brew tea during this trip, as I did not know how to brew tea previously. No one can brew tea with that much science to back up each and every move like he does. I learned a lot about Dan Cong, but very little on brewing technique from him previously. This is a whole new level of tea brewing for me. This is also the first lecture he talked about the science of tea brewing (because his best student is in the class :P), reason being not that many people know enough to comprehend and able to utilize it. And surely but sadly, after 2.5 hours of lecturing, a graduate student brewed tea for the 7 of us, he did not get a word out of the lecture, after my master showed him twice how to pour water and tea, he still didn't get it. I walked away and I could feel my master's anger and despair. He later told us he wanted to scold the professor for misleading the kids. Today's young minds in China are so naive and immalleable. It makes me ill to think all the knowledge of the wise could be lost because today's young people do not find them meaningful and valuable. One thing my tea master said has sadden me: when you drink tea at this level, you become lonely and self-isolated simply because no one else can understand you even though a trainful of people swamp you inquest of your knowledge. I think this philosophy applies to anyone who has mastered extremity of any given subject.
The last 3 days of my trip I spent in Shen Zhen, a city only 1.5 hours away from Guang Zhou. This wasn't on my original plan, but turned out great. The primarily reason for the detour was to attend the International Tea Culture Research and Exchange Meeting. This meeting also coincided with the 2nd annual Shen Zhen Tea Expo which is much smaller than the Guang Zhou expo. The first evening we had Hang Zhou cuisine, which I didn't have to be there to enjoy. I felt my detour from Hang Zhou was made up in a way. :)
During the meeting a bunch of the top guns showed up, researchers, city councils, provincial agricultural department heads from most of the tea producing regions showed up. My grand tea master - master of my master showed up as well. The meeting began from the 9th to the 12th, about 80 attendees from 16 provinces, Japan, Korea and me from the US. The group was invited to have a casual tea meeting at a private tea museum. A collection of clay pots, old teas, tools, books and paintings were opened to our viewing. My favorite is the long scroll of Chinese calligraphy of Tea Classic goes from the front all the way to the end of the hall way, about 50 yards long.
I picked up a couple of teas at this expo knowing I am coming home at the end of my exile. I'd buy more if I had more time. Both are tea flower teas from Liu Bao tea trees, one is all tiny flower buds about 6 years old, one is large buds-almost open, freshly picked recently (tea trees bloom in Nov). They are very different, the fresh one is spicy, the older one is sweet and soothing, my British boy calls it aromatic air as you swallow it. The fragrance lasts 15 brews. I wanted to buy her out if I could carry that much weight. :P
My eyes are sleepy finally... Will continue with my stories in early mornings of god knows how many more to come... :D
Saturday, December 12, 2009
Back to Korea again
I love this airport. Free computer with wifi for travelers.
Just a quick update, I have been to 8 cities so far... It's great fun but I am TIRED!
Over 4000 pictures, yikes! Some interesting tea performance videos from 2 tea expos I had been to. Went to 3 tea mountains in Guang Dong, Fu Jian and Zhe Jiang provinces. Had the honor to attend the second annual tea house managers meeting, had tea at a private tea museum in Shen Zhen. Met the tea master of my tea master - de grand tea master of mine Yao Guo Qun (the most recognized in tea industry in China today for his contribution and knowledge).
Some odd teas I am bring home with: 40 yrs old Dan Cong, some over 50 years old Dan Cong worm shit (literally shit of worms that fed on Dan Cong), some 20+ years old OLD bush dan cong, 92 white tea (bai mu dan) from Fu Ding (sold for over 10k rmb, but I got it for free). Some best silver needles and silver needle jasmine I have ever had from Tai Shun, but out of stock this year. Also some other pricey teas that I didn't really care for as well. A bunch of books and tea wares and antiques are on their way on the ocean, should be back in 2 months...
Some Chao Zhou tea pots, and most proud of all, some chao zhou clay tea canisters! They are so small and so cute. Ah, speaking of that, I have a video of how chao zhou tea pot's made, not that you guys have not seen one before, this one is mineeeeeee... :P
The most interesting time I had was in Zhe Jiang province, visited a hot spring resort, and took some most amazing pictures there... I didn't go to Hang Zhou or Yang Zhou. This whole trip wasn't planned and end up really well. Next year is the 10th reunion for the 8 and only 8 masters graduate students of Zhi Jiang University, they are scheduling a meeting of all 8 and their professors in Hang Zhou, I am invited to tag along! I met 2 professors and 3 out of 8 students this time. It was such honor and privilege.
Ok, I gotta board now.... I'll be back in 15 hours...
Just a quick update, I have been to 8 cities so far... It's great fun but I am TIRED!
Over 4000 pictures, yikes! Some interesting tea performance videos from 2 tea expos I had been to. Went to 3 tea mountains in Guang Dong, Fu Jian and Zhe Jiang provinces. Had the honor to attend the second annual tea house managers meeting, had tea at a private tea museum in Shen Zhen. Met the tea master of my tea master - de grand tea master of mine Yao Guo Qun (the most recognized in tea industry in China today for his contribution and knowledge).
Some odd teas I am bring home with: 40 yrs old Dan Cong, some over 50 years old Dan Cong worm shit (literally shit of worms that fed on Dan Cong), some 20+ years old OLD bush dan cong, 92 white tea (bai mu dan) from Fu Ding (sold for over 10k rmb, but I got it for free). Some best silver needles and silver needle jasmine I have ever had from Tai Shun, but out of stock this year. Also some other pricey teas that I didn't really care for as well. A bunch of books and tea wares and antiques are on their way on the ocean, should be back in 2 months...
Some Chao Zhou tea pots, and most proud of all, some chao zhou clay tea canisters! They are so small and so cute. Ah, speaking of that, I have a video of how chao zhou tea pot's made, not that you guys have not seen one before, this one is mineeeeeee... :P
The most interesting time I had was in Zhe Jiang province, visited a hot spring resort, and took some most amazing pictures there... I didn't go to Hang Zhou or Yang Zhou. This whole trip wasn't planned and end up really well. Next year is the 10th reunion for the 8 and only 8 masters graduate students of Zhi Jiang University, they are scheduling a meeting of all 8 and their professors in Hang Zhou, I am invited to tag along! I met 2 professors and 3 out of 8 students this time. It was such honor and privilege.
Ok, I gotta board now.... I'll be back in 15 hours...
Sunday, November 22, 2009
Passionate Tail Ant
Well, happiness has happened twice in just one weekend at Tea Habitat. The 2 love birds in the picture announced that they are getting married to their parents on Saturday. They made their announcement while drinking Passionate Tail Ant Dan Cong - Ni Wei Yi. We were all over joyed!
Today - Sunday, a young lady informed us she's getting married as well while drinking the same exact tea Passionate Tail Ant Dan Cong.
It's a SIGN!
Congratulations to all the lovers who are meant to be together! May happiness with each and everyone!
I will drink the Passionate Tail Ant tea fast! And I will reserve this tree till I die. Perhaps this is the tree calling for my ashes... hahaha...
Saturday, November 14, 2009
Leaving next week for China
Got my tickets and Chinese visa, and I am ready to go! Well, not really ready, but ready or not, I am leaving for China on the following Monday.
Agenda:
25th to 30th: Guang Zhou, visiting friends, family and attend the biggest tea expo in the world.
31th to open date: Chao Zhou
After work is done in Chao Zhou, visit Hang Zhou, Tai Yuan, Shang Hai, Yang Zhou, Su Zhou, if time allows, Ning Bo, Wu Xi, Qian Tang, Zhao Qing.
Business will continue as usual, Tea Habitat store is open regular hours during my absence. Web order will be shipped regularly except fragile tea ware items. I'll follow up each order while I am in China. You will have your teas. :D
Agenda:
25th to 30th: Guang Zhou, visiting friends, family and attend the biggest tea expo in the world.
31th to open date: Chao Zhou
After work is done in Chao Zhou, visit Hang Zhou, Tai Yuan, Shang Hai, Yang Zhou, Su Zhou, if time allows, Ning Bo, Wu Xi, Qian Tang, Zhao Qing.
Business will continue as usual, Tea Habitat store is open regular hours during my absence. Web order will be shipped regularly except fragile tea ware items. I'll follow up each order while I am in China. You will have your teas. :D
Friday, September 11, 2009
Gifts!
My tea shop has brought many good people here over the years. In particularly people with trained palates. JM came in with creme brulees, fine sugar and a torch one day, blasting right on the counter top. It can't get any better than that! The chocolate cookies are heavenly as well. JM is trained as a professional pastry chef in Europe, worked at fine establishments such as Neiman Marcus, Spagos. The creme brulees are the creamiest I ever had, sprinkled with ground Tahitian vanilla beans. I feel like a star in heaven! :D
JM is eclectic and well versed in many subjects we share interests in. A generous soul that he is gave me a Chinese medicine book from his own library collection, Japanese ceramic cups and plates as gifts. I can't thank him enough!
LA Times mentioned my orchid obsession, that brought many orchid growers into my store. G gave me a couple of orchid plants from his mother's orchid collections whom has been growing orchids for more than 30 years. I am not an expert in orchid growing. I am one of those who buys a a plant because of its beauty and not already in my collection. You can call me the possessive kind without much knowledge in depth (because most of my time are devoted to tea). The flowers are so large stretching 6 to 7 inches across, beautiful fragrance that illuminated my whole store. I love coming in the morning when the fragrance filled the entire room in concentration.
Thank you all for fueling my many obsessions! I can say thank you a thousand times. I am just very grateful!
JM is eclectic and well versed in many subjects we share interests in. A generous soul that he is gave me a Chinese medicine book from his own library collection, Japanese ceramic cups and plates as gifts. I can't thank him enough!
LA Times mentioned my orchid obsession, that brought many orchid growers into my store. G gave me a couple of orchid plants from his mother's orchid collections whom has been growing orchids for more than 30 years. I am not an expert in orchid growing. I am one of those who buys a a plant because of its beauty and not already in my collection. You can call me the possessive kind without much knowledge in depth (because most of my time are devoted to tea). The flowers are so large stretching 6 to 7 inches across, beautiful fragrance that illuminated my whole store. I love coming in the morning when the fragrance filled the entire room in concentration.
Thank you all for fueling my many obsessions! I can say thank you a thousand times. I am just very grateful!
Friday, August 07, 2009
Photo shoot
Today is photo shoot day with LA Times, we also took the opportunity to take a traditional family photo of our own, since Sarah is leaving soon for college in Chicago.
Something like this might show up on LA Times. Not sure when tho.
Thursday, July 16, 2009
My goof ball
Nothing represents traditional Chinese tea shop better than a goofy Jewish girl in a Chinese dress! My girl's been with me since I open the shop and she's leaving for college in Chicago in a month. I will miss her.
She made a remark yesterday as she's packing the Ni Wei Yi - passionate tail ant Dan Cong tea: this tea is twisted and tangled up like Jewish hair, gonna take me a long time to pack them. I am so going to miss her!
She made a remark yesterday as she's packing the Ni Wei Yi - passionate tail ant Dan Cong tea: this tea is twisted and tangled up like Jewish hair, gonna take me a long time to pack them. I am so going to miss her!
Saturday, July 11, 2009
Best tea?
A couple came in to my store and whipped out this tea bag (without a cover), and said to me this is the best tea in the world (he runs a tea business). It's the best because the company is owned by a Chinese, Lipton buys from them, McDonals also buy from them. He then asked me to make him a cup with boiling water, and asked for milk and sugar. I am shocked and speechless. So I asked to have one, not sure if I want to drink it, because it has no cover and he just whipped it out from his pant pocket. I am so darn curious to see what "best tea in the world" taste like. Curiosity usually kills them cats. I don't think I have many lifes left after being killed a few times. Any volunteers? ;P
Tragedy if best tea in the world comes in this form.
Thursday, July 09, 2009
My new found tea spot
I am slowly discovering the beauty of Palos Verdes Peninsula. It's hidden and well preserved. Natural, yet among nature are modern convenience, modern architectures. After a few hiking trips along the cliffs, I favor this little spot. An afternoon of reading under this tree while sipping some Lao Cong Zhi Lan Xiang. If I had a tea boy or girl to serve me Kung Fu tea, that'd be lovely. :D
I should arrange a tea tasting and picnic here one day.
I should arrange a tea tasting and picnic here one day.
Thursday, July 02, 2009
Sunset from PV
When I arrived:
2nd picture later:
Lovers watching Sunset:
Within a minute of my arrival, the sun is down completely:
A red orange haze across the horizon:
2nd picture later:
Lovers watching Sunset:
Within a minute of my arrival, the sun is down completely:
A red orange haze across the horizon:
Wednesday, July 01, 2009
Sunday, May 24, 2009
Horsies
Today is sunny and warm, lots horses outting on the street. PV is one of the few spots in LA where nature is well preserved.
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
Busy weekend
The past weekend was a busy one. Aside of running the store, it was mother's day weekend. I was invited to watch a cycling competition on Saturday at the Home Depot Center. Saturday was so nice, inspired by the natural beauty of spring, I took a drive on the PV Drive West which is a nice scenic route along the ocean over looking the cliffs.
Cyclists on the Velodrome track, part of the LAVRA Cup.
Palos Verdes is a secluded part of LA. The peninsula is quite and rural, locals don't like noise and outside traffic. A hide away location close to the great big city LA. The cities on the peninsula do not advertise its beauty to keep tourists away, so it's unknown to the rest of the world. Home values are one of the highest neighborhoods in LA/OC, the cities here collect plenty of taxes from homes, therefore, not much commercial developments on the hill. The locals like it this way as well. There are almost everything you want here, horse trails (part of the trails are on major streets), hiking trails, beaches, cliffs, golf course, peacocks, and of course a great tea shop. :P One day, I'll sneak a few pictures of the local homes. Many of them are hidden from streets. I heard Keanu Reeves has a home here.
On top of the cliff, over looking Pacific Ocean. Homes hang below the edges. PV faces north, west and south from one end to the other.
Left is the ocean, right is the rural hill top, with scattered homes. This is a busy biking trail. It is breath taking riding along this road.
Quiet drive on a sunny day. Some man brought wild peacocks on to the peninsula back in the 70's, they are now residing among heavy bushes and trees in the area, like in this picture. It's a whopping $1000 fine if you kill one, even accidentally.
After living in LA for almost 10 years, I have discovered many quaint neighborhoods, none of which are tourist spots. Small wonders with lovely architectural uniqueness, places where there are not much chain store influences. I am inspired to take pictures of each areas, share it with others. Well, I might get kicked out for revealing the hidden secrets.
My favorite ones so far are: Naple's Island, canals in Venice, Palos Verdes, parts of Redondo Beach, Manhattan Beach, Malibu, San Marino, parts of old Pasadena, Laguna Beach.
Cyclists on the Velodrome track, part of the LAVRA Cup.Palos Verdes is a secluded part of LA. The peninsula is quite and rural, locals don't like noise and outside traffic. A hide away location close to the great big city LA. The cities on the peninsula do not advertise its beauty to keep tourists away, so it's unknown to the rest of the world. Home values are one of the highest neighborhoods in LA/OC, the cities here collect plenty of taxes from homes, therefore, not much commercial developments on the hill. The locals like it this way as well. There are almost everything you want here, horse trails (part of the trails are on major streets), hiking trails, beaches, cliffs, golf course, peacocks, and of course a great tea shop. :P One day, I'll sneak a few pictures of the local homes. Many of them are hidden from streets. I heard Keanu Reeves has a home here.
On top of the cliff, over looking Pacific Ocean. Homes hang below the edges. PV faces north, west and south from one end to the other.
Left is the ocean, right is the rural hill top, with scattered homes. This is a busy biking trail. It is breath taking riding along this road.
Quiet drive on a sunny day. Some man brought wild peacocks on to the peninsula back in the 70's, they are now residing among heavy bushes and trees in the area, like in this picture. It's a whopping $1000 fine if you kill one, even accidentally.After living in LA for almost 10 years, I have discovered many quaint neighborhoods, none of which are tourist spots. Small wonders with lovely architectural uniqueness, places where there are not much chain store influences. I am inspired to take pictures of each areas, share it with others. Well, I might get kicked out for revealing the hidden secrets.
My favorite ones so far are: Naple's Island, canals in Venice, Palos Verdes, parts of Redondo Beach, Manhattan Beach, Malibu, San Marino, parts of old Pasadena, Laguna Beach.
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