Have you ever used a gaiwan? I have, and I was surprised the other day when the nice folks at Teavivre in China sent some new tea samples and included a gaiwan with their logo on it! If you'd like to know more about how to use a gaiwan, go
here for a simple tutorial.
The first tea I sampled was this
Nonpareil Taiwan DaYuLing High Mountain Cha Wang Oolong Tea.
Tightly rolled bundles of tea leaf were in the sample, and as always, I like pausing to enjoy the visual pleasure of tea as much as the taste of the tea!
This oolong had a surprising fruit-like note to it, and I wondered if I was imagining this. Then I went to the website and read the description of this tea: "Taiwan Da Yu Ling High Mountain Oolong Tea is planted over the altitude of 2500 meters, which is a high altitude production place of oolong tea. The unique high mountain climate makes this tea mellow, refreshing and fragrant with strong fruity aroma." Yes! Even with several subsequent steepings of the same tea leaves, this lovely tea retained that unique fruit flavor. Also, I think I enjoyed the tea even more by brewing it as I did in the new gaiwan. Have any of you used a gaiwan? If so, did you find it enhanced your tea brewing experience?
Have never used one, but after viewing the tutorial, at least now I understand the process.
ReplyDeleteYes, on occasion I do use a gaiwan. Many of my local tea friends use them daily to make their tea in, I mostly use them when having tea in an Asian tea room.
ReplyDeleteI have one, but I don't use it. How nice that Teavivre sent you a new one with their teas to sample.
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