Friday, January 2, 2009

A new year of tea


One of my favorite Christmas gifts from DH this year was this glass gaiwan from Republic of Tea. Just a few days before Christmas, I could tell he was weary from searching for "one more little something" for me. I told him I'd just seen something in the new Republic of Tea catalog I would love to have, and even though it wouldn't arrive until after Christmas I wouldn't mind waiting. He happily ordered it on Sunday (or was it Monday?), and imagine my surprise when the good people of ROT somehow made this arrive on Christmas Eve! I'm showing it empty, which to me represents the promise of all the great new teas I will try this year.

I love the promise a new year brings, with all the chances to start afresh and try new things. If I have a "tea resolution" for the year, it's to learn more about the "pure" tea varieties. I don't even know if that's the correct word to use, but what I mean is, although I know I'll drink plenty of flavored, frou-frou teas in the year ahead, I want to learn more about basic green, white and black teas, using that new Harney & Sons tea book several of us got a few months ago. In fact, one reason I wanted the glass gaiwan is so I can really savor the look, smell and taste of the new teas I'm aiming to try in 2009.

The plan is to sample one new tea each week this year, and Lord willing I'll write about the new tea on Saturday, beginning tomorrow. I've come up with a list and a worksheet to help me in my quest, and if you're interested, check back tomorrow and I'll explain how I've organized my "Tea Tasting Saturdays." I hope some of you may be able to sip along with me occasionally!

8 comments:

  1. What a wonderfu idea, Angela. I will be following your tastings through the year.

    ReplyDelete
  2. That's a neat idea. If you hadn't described it, I would have thought it was a butter dish or something. ha ha See, I'm always learning something new at your blog.

    ReplyDelete
  3. I'm looking forward to your tea tasting posts. My daughters gave me several tea books, one of which was the Harney & Sons Guide To Tea. Now I can follow along, as you try new loose tea varieties.

    My DH gave me a couple of loose tea sampler packs from Adagio Teas, so I'll also have lots of new green and white tea to sample. I also have a new glass teapot with several types of the tied loose leaf flowering teas to try.

    Here's to a tearrific new year.

    ReplyDelete
  4. What a great idea! I'm looking forward to you tastings posts. If you run out of tea I'll be glad to send you some. I got a lot for Christmas.

    ReplyDelete
  5. That is a lovely gaiwan. It will show off the colors of your tea tasting very smartly. Happy New Year!

    ReplyDelete
  6. A clear glass gaiwan should be perfect for your tea tastings. i look forward to learning more about your plan.

    ReplyDelete
  7. I love the glass gaiwan. What a lovely gift. You are enticing me into wanting one too.

    ReplyDelete
  8. I'm quite excited about following your tea tastings!

    ReplyDelete

Thanks so much for taking time to leave a comment! It makes my day to hear from readers!