Tea Time for iPhone

There is an application for iPhone called Tea Time, which measures who long your cup should be brewing for. You get to choose between black, green, white, oolong and herbal tea and whether you are using loose leaf tea or bagged. You can also choose tea strength. Basically you have all the same options as in the Zarafina Tea Maker, except for that you will have to handle the water-cooking and all other manual actions yourself. This application also suggests water temperature and is capable of remembering the settings of your last brewing. It has a decent look and it’s only $1, so I guess you won’t be loosing a fortune and it might help you with your tea.

This is just one of many tea timers available in the iTunes Store – Tea Timer, Tea Time and Perfect Brew Tea Timer are just a few of the options.

 

The Paper Tea House

This piece of contemporary architecture/design/art was exhibited and auctioned off by Phillips de Pury & Company and finally sold for £31,700. The Paper Tea House was created by Japanese architect Shingeru Ban and it uses paper and cardboard as building materials. The choice of materials – recyclable and low-tech counter the current trends of sophisticated consumer technology.

The structure is over 5 meters long and consists of a room for the Tea Ceremony and a waiting area with a bench. The interior is furnished with a table and four stools all made of cardboard. The walls and the floor of the house is made of hollow cardboard tubes. It is a good example of modern simplicity. This design has certainly fueled today’s growing trend of green solutions.

 

High Tea in Darjeeling

Here are some great photographs of the Darjeeling region taken by Jehad Nga for The New York Times.

1. Tea pickers at Gleburn Estate, one of 87 Darjeeling Estates
2. Women sort varieties of tea at Gleburn Estate
3. Swaraj (on the left) who runs his family business – the Makaibari Tea Estate
4. Wilting room at the Goomtee Estate

 

Pots, pots, pots! | Part 3

Yet another batch of interesting and inspirational pots of all shapes and forms. Some of them can be very useful, while others are simply decorative pieces. This 3rd in a series of articles features the futuristic, elegant and and modern teapot ideas.

Shatter Teapot by William Harvey for Umbra

A modern style teapot inspired by neo-cubism and geometrical forms. Its dramatic look, shattered look is makes it out of the ordinary. Made of fine bone china.

Cactus Teapot Bascet by JoAnne Russo

Filio Teapot by Mono

This pot has probable the biggest ever straining basket, all to improve the quality of tea and leave enough space for the leaves. The glass hemisphere is suspended in the air, supported by stainless steel base and arm.

If traditional teapots just arenít your cuppa, check out this modern masterpiece. Designed by William Harvey, this neo-cubist teapot has a dynamic urban style. The white bone china becomes a study of shadows created by the many faceted surfaces. Shattering your expectations, the Umbra Teapot complements sharp contemporary interiors. A dramatic designer centrepiece for your next kaffeeklatsch, the Shatter Teapot is and available from Umbra.com.

Mars Teapot by Raju Peddada

A futuristic vision of mars in a teapot.

Sweetheart teapot by Christian Ghion

750ml porcelain made teapot that has a maternal and feminine curves, These curves give the sweetheart teapot a unique and classy look making it not only the perfect tableware for your kitchen or patio, but a décor as well

Text Teapot by Holly Hansessian

earthen-ware with low-fire glaze

1 Shatter Teapot by William Harvey for Umbra

A modern style teapot inspired by neo-cubism and geometrical forms. Its dramatic look, shattered look is makes it out of the ordinary. Made of fine bone china for shattering impressions.

2 Cactus Teapot Basket by JoAnne Russo

Not an actual teapot, but it has the shape of one. It has a dangerous and rugged look.

3 Filio Teapot by Mono

This pot has probable the biggest ever straining basket, all to improve the quality of tea and leave enough space for the leaves. The glass hemisphere is suspended in the air, supported by stainless steel base and arm.

4 Mars Teapot by Raju Peddada

A futuristic vision of mars in a teapot. Made of sterling silver, with round, but defined features.

5 Text Teapot by Holly Hanessian

An artistic interpretation of letters in earthen ware with low-fire glaze. This teapot can give a touch of the abstract to any home.

6 Sweetheart teapot by Christian Ghion

Classy looking teapot made of porcelain, with soft shapes and curves. It imitates the look of a heart.

Related  Part 2 Part 1

The Beauty of Tea

How does a good tea really look like? Well, when I tried Pre-Rain Anji Bai Cha from Jing Tea some months ago, I was inspired to take some pictures of it. This tea has a both a Fair Trade and Organic certificate. On the left you can see the dry-form and on the right it’s a leaf and a bud after infusion. This fresh, vibrant leaf looks as if it was just picked – a true celebration of the art of tea.

The Tea Infuser Guide

There are many tea infusers out there and it’s good to take all their pros and cons into account, before buying any. I have tested a lot of different types, but I ended up using just one – the most practical, easy to use, one that helps to brew the perfect cup of tea. Let’s review our options first…

	Tea Filters Also called T-SacsI can’t think of any good reasons to use tea filters if you’re a regular tea drinker, unless you’re traveling and you want something disposable. Pluses – they will give you a flavorful liquor, you don’t have to clean them. One the other hand you can get a bit of a papery flavor in your tea. It can be a good substitute for tea hardware, they have a lot of space for the leaves to unfurl, but if you’re concerned about the environment there are better choices.
	Tea Strainer Strainers are pretty easy to use and you will get a great infusion every time, because the leaves can float freely. This is a very basic choice and has many uses. Cleaning them is not too much of a hassle. They come in different designs and forms, made of stainless steel or bamboo, with handle and without.
	Tea Ball These are sieves in the shape of a ball which have a little chain attached to them. You open them by putting one half to the side or to the back. They are very inconvenient to clean, when you dispose of the tea you have to open in, your hands get all wet, you don’t know what to hold onto, there is no handle or anything – as a result you end up having a bunch of leaves on your hands and then you realize that you have to scoop some out anyway. The largest tea balls can give you a good infusion, but the smaller models I wouldn’t bother with.
	Tea Tong Just like tea balls tongs come in different sizes – 6,5cm, 5cm and 4,5cm (in diameter). All of these are very easy and fast to clean – you press the handle together and empty the ball, clap the halves over the garbage can a few times, without needing to touch the leaves. The smaller models have very little space, however the 6,5cm is the ultimate tea tool, you can see the leaves float inside, there is lots of space for them to unfurl and give the fullest flavor. The only minus with large Tong infusers is that they may not fit into narrow glasses.
	Tea Tube Tea Tubes can look really stylish, but some can be rather hard to clean, depending on what mechanism they have. Some have a lid on one end which you can detach and then pour water though it – this means the leaves will land in the sink, things get messy – not very desirable. The one on the left is an easier model. There are cup-size tubes and pot-size tubes, I believe both can yield in an alright infusion, but there is still an issue with how much space there is for leaves.
	Tea Egg Tea Eggs basically work the same way as Tea Balls, except for you can’t see what happening inside. In this way I think Tea Balls are a better choice, because you can see at what brewing stage the leaves are. I generally wouldn’t advise any infusers on chains, as they are quiet problematic when it comes to cleaning.
	Tea Spoon From a long personal experience I can say that tea spoons produce the most flavorless tea liquor you can imagine. Like the tong it’s very easy to clean, but the tea has no space to expand. It’s almost as if you paid for a whole cup of tea and only getting half of it. This is a big no-no, especially if you’re drinking expensive teas.
	Gadget Infusers Cute and fun, in shapes of houses, fruits, hearts even sharks, however not very practical. These are usually hard to clean and don’t provide enough space for the tea. They make great collectibles for display, perhaps occasional tea making, but are not recommended if you want something fast and convenient.

Out of all these I would say the large Tong infuser is an all time favorite – good for you and good for the tea. You don’t need to get your hands dirty using it, you gat you enjoy the tea leaves and their full potential and if you take care of it well it may be come just the lifelong friend you were looking for.

Sadaharu Aoki – The Amazing World of Matcha

The thing that I most regret about my last visit in Paris is not going to one of the three Sadaharu Aoki boutiques. Sadaharu Aoki, the founder of the boutiques and the chef patissier has over the years, mastered the art of creating very unique pastries – with matcha. Matcha is a powdered green tea, mainly consumed in Japan where it’s a part of the Tea Ceremony. At first glance the pastries may look a bit strange with their green color, but for matcha lovers this could be one of the greatest experiences.

Green tea cookies, green tea and chocolate truffles, green tea and milk confiture and green tea eclair and only a few of the amazing things Sadaharu Aoki has to offer. It doesn’t only sound this good, the pastries look beautiful, imaginative and carefully crafted – like something taken out of a cartoon. Of course, tea flavored sweets are not the only sweets created by the patisserie, so if you don’t like green tea there are many others to choose form. They also have a few tea blends on the menu, including their own house blend AOKI.

Since his first atelier opened in 1998, there are already 6 such boutiques in Tokyo and Paris. If you’re anywhere close, do not miss them!

Addresses

35 rue de Vaugirard

56 boulevard de Port Royal

40 Boulevard Haussemann (Gallery Lafayette)

The Tea House That’s Too High

An adrenaline kick along with your cup of tea? In that case Takasugi-an is the right place to be… or it would be if it was a commercial tea house. The somewhat scary and unstable looking Takasugi-an is an architectural project by Terunobu Fujimori – a tea house built atop two chestnut trees in Chino, Japan. Mr. Fujimori decided to build Takasugi-an for himself on a patch of land owned by his family in order to challenge the traditional idea of a tea house. In reality it resembles a tree house, which is supported by two trees that have been cut and transported from a site nearby and the only way to access it is to climb freestanding ladders. Like in any traditional Japanese household you have to remove your shoes on a midway platform. This is a very innovative and interesting project from an architectural view, despite it’s simple and minimalistic nature, however it’s not very safe considering that the trees have to roots and the whole structure seems rather unstable. Perhaps it’s worthwhile regardless, since the house overlooks Fujimori’s home city. The name – Takasugi-an simply means “the tea house that was built too high”.

Photos taken by Edward Sumner

Vicinitee Magazine Tea Article

In an old January issue of the Viciniee Magazine you can find an article about tea “A Timeless Teatime Tradition” on page 95 here.

When tea stains your teeth

 

Unfortunately tea does stain your teeth, especially if you drink it on a regular basis, but it is simply too good to give up only because of that. Tea contains tannic acid, which can create small pores in the enamel of your teeth. The pigment from tea then collects in these pores causing deep stains in the enamel. White teeth are healthier, look better and they are a key element of good self-presentation. If you are concerned about discoloration, there is a number of things you can do to slow down and minimalize the process of your teeth becoming yellow and deal with the stains if you already have them. Here we go

1. The most obvious should be brushing your teeth at least twice a day, but it’s ideal if you can brush them immediately after drinking tea. You should also floss two times a day (most important in the evenings, that’s when bacteria attacks the enamel most actively), because it prevents the buildup of plaque.

2. You can drink some water after to clear your mouth from any tea remains. Optionally you can chew gum.

3. Try a different type of tea, like white or green. Even herbal teas can stain, but less then for example black tea. Good quality green tea is less likely to stain your teeth then lower grades.

4. If and how milk affects the benefits of antioxidants has not been proven yet, but by adding milk you will dilute the tea and slow down the staining. You should avoid lemon however, because the it’s acidity will weaken your teeth.

5. Heat is an important factor in how fast your teeth become yellow. Drinking cold tea can also slow down the process. Drinking through a straw will further minimalize the contact of tea with teeth. 

6. You can avoid swishing the tea around in your mouth. This is a little extreme, especially when you want to enjoy the flavor and considering that research has shown that tea strengthens the teeth and gums, but it’s also an option.

If your teeth are yellow already

1. There are some home methods for bleaching teeth. The most popular is baking soda – you can dip your toothbrush in water and then in baking soda and you brush like usual, making sure the baking soda reaches all the small spaces between the teeth as well. Other sugesstions are strawberries or orange peel, which can be rubbed directly on the teeth or you can make a paste and brush them on. 

2. You can buy chemical home bleaching kits, which work well when you use them every now and then. Usually you keep the chemicals on your teeth overnight, but the will make your teeth and gums more sensitive during the treatment.

3. You should get your teeth cleaned at the dentist about once every half a year. There are also a number of methods the dentist offers to whiten your teeth professionally – some are using laser or sanding.

Unfortunately tea does stain your teeth, especially if you drink it on a regular basis, but it is simply too good to give up only because of that. Tea contains tannic acid, which can create small pores in the enamel of your teeth. The pigment from tea then collects in these pores causing deep stains in the enamel. White teeth are healthier, look better and they are a key element of good self-presentation. If you are concerned about discoloration, there is a number of things you can do to slow down and minimalize the process of your teeth becoming yellow and deal with the stains if you already have them. Here we go

• The most obvious should be brushing your teeth at least twice a day, but it’s ideal if you can brush them immediately after drinking tea. You should also floss two times a day (most important in the evenings, that’s when bacteria attacks the enamel most actively), because it prevents the buildup of plaque.
• You can drink some water after to clear your mouth from any tea remains. Optionally you can chew gum.
• Try a different type of tea, like white or green. Even herbal teas can stain, but less then for example black tea. Good quality green tea is less likely to stain your teeth then lower grades.
• If and how milk affects the benefits of antioxidants has not been proven yet, but by adding milk you will dilute the tea and slow down the staining. You should avoid lemon however, because the it’s acidity will weaken your teeth.
• Heat is an important factor in how fast your teeth become yellow. Drinking cold tea can also slow down the process. Drinking through a straw will further minimalize the contact of tea with teeth. 
• You can avoid swishing the tea around in your mouth. This is a little extreme, especially when you want to enjoy the flavor and considering that research has shown that tea strengthens the teeth and gums, but it’s also an option.

 

If your teeth are yellow already

• There are some home methods for bleaching teeth. The most popular is baking soda – you can dip your toothbrush in water and then in baking soda and you brush like usual, making sure the baking soda reaches all the small spaces between the teeth as well. Other sugesstions are strawberries or orange peel, which can be rubbed directly on the teeth or you can make a paste and brush them on. 
• You can buy chemical home bleaching kits, which work well when you use them every now and then. Usually you keep the chemicals on your teeth overnight, but the will make your teeth and gums more sensitive during the treatment.
• You should get your teeth cleaned at the dentist about once every half a year. There are also a number of methods the dentist offers to whiten your teeth professionally – some are using laser or sanding.