Ever since tea was discovered, it's been thought to have many health benefits and it's interesting that modern research is proving many of these claims are true! For afternoon tea today, I made a pot of Harney & Son's Oolong and served it in my special wicker basket teapot. Have you ever seen one of these?
The basket acts as a natural cozy to keep the tea piping hot - perfect for an autumn picnic or summer patio tea.
When I purchased this colorful teapot and basket, it came with matching cups. Lucky me! It's fun to sip from these delicate cups without handles. Remember, no pinkies in the air - that is an etiquette faux pas.
Click here for a handy teatime temperature and steeping chart.
Click here for a handy teatime temperature and steeping chart.
oolong is a semi fermented tea principally produced in China and Taiwan
Do you recognize any of the Chinese characters on the cups or teapot? This one represents longevity
This symbol - for Shou- is near the spout.
I looked through some of my tea books and learned that tea bushes were planted in Taiwan, previously called Formosa, around 300 years ago.
I snacked on grapes as I watched 'our' little cottontail drop by for his daily carrot. Remember when he climbed into my parsley pot? He doesn't mind sharing the backyard with me, so I finished my tea.
Do you see the kimono clad cat?
It was a gift from a friend when I was studying Urusenke, Japanese Tea Ceremony, with my sensei Mrs. Koizumi.
If you have only had black tea and want to try going 'green', you can start with a quality oolong before moving to a typical green tea. All tea comes from the same plant, but it is the processing (fermenting, rolling, drying, cutting) that gives it it's characteristics. It is a big adjustment for some palates to go from drinking black to drinking green teas. Ha ha!
I found bamboo place mats at Michael's craft store in the dollar section, of all places! I think it looks perfect with this tea set.
Do you like greens and oolongs? Have you tried them iced? I enjoy all tea and have even baked shortbread with matcha - a powdered green tea.
sharing this post with:
What To DO Weekends
Freedom Fridays
Time Travel Thursday
Share Your Cup
You're Going To Love It
Tuesdays At Our Home
What To DO Weekends
Freedom Fridays
Time Travel Thursday
Share Your Cup
You're Going To Love It
Tuesdays At Our Home
Artful Affirmations
Bernideens Tea Time
Rose Chintz Cottage
Tea In The Garden
Amaze Me Monday
Twirl and Take A Bow
Inspire Me at A Stroll Through Life
Cottage Style Party
Brag About It
Show Me What you Got
Bernideens Tea Time
Rose Chintz Cottage
Tea In The Garden
Amaze Me Monday
Twirl and Take A Bow
Inspire Me at A Stroll Through Life
Cottage Style Party
Brag About It
Show Me What you Got
So glad you shared all your tea knowledge with us for Tea In The Garden and this unique teaset in the basket! Such beautiful colors!
ReplyDeleteRavissante cette théière ! et pratique !
ReplyDeleteje bois beaucoup de thé noir aux agrumes et réserve le thé vert pour le boire glacé avec de la menthe !
merci de ta visite
bises
Sophie
Hi There,
ReplyDeleteYour BlogSpot is so very interesting. I love the tea warmer basket and I have never seen one before. Thanks so much for sharing all of that information. Have a wonderful week! Take care, Karen
Hi: I so love the cat you featured today. Of course the tea set is just beautiful. I am trying to behave myself with that little pinkie :). Blessings to you, Martha
ReplyDeleteThe colours are beautiful, Shawn. Yes, I have tried both oolong and green tea many times. One of my favourites was always Green Chai. I am eyeing a little teaset at David's Tea these days. It is turquoise with those little handless cups. Very cute! There is a white one too but I prefer the turquoise. Thanks so much for sharing and joining me for tea today. Happy Summer!
ReplyDeleteBlessings,
Sandi
OH Fabulous tea post! I love how vibrant and colorful your tea set is. What a beautiful packaging too. I do have green or oolong tea sometimes. Mostly though it is herbal tea I drink. I do love "silver needle" tea.
ReplyDeleteI have yet to try Harney and Son's tea...I see it on posts all the time, but have never seen it in shops.
Hugs,
Terri
I am so in love with this tea pot and wicker basket! I didn't know what it was for but now I'm on the look out for one, too! Wonderful post! I learn so much about tea when I visit! Hugs!
ReplyDeleteHi Shawn! What a clever way to keep a teapot hot and secure - especially in a garden teatime setting. I have a saucer shaped vintage Japanese teapot and a lovely lady statue sipping tea wearing a kimono, but that is really all I have with an Asian theme. A very lovely and colorful set you share today. Longevity is the name of the essential oil I take every morning in a capsule - just one drop will do me - a great blend for anti-everything and detoxing. Perhaps a bit strong for tea - but goes down nice in capsule form. Green tea is my tea of choice - love the health benefits!
ReplyDeleteJoy!
Kathy
Awe, so colorful. Super sweet. TEA Lover too!
ReplyDelete:) Don't you just LOVE a beautiful tea book? :)
ReplyDeleteYour tea set is gorgeous! I'm not a big green tea person but I do love Tazo's Zen Green tea. My favorite tea in the whole world is Harney and Sons Paris. It is a little hard to find. But so worth the search.
Have a great week! :)
~Liz
Hi Shawn,
ReplyDeleteI loved your wicker basket with the Chinese tea set. Both the teapot and the handleless cups are fabulous for a traditional tea. I usually drink green tea but never iced, which I must try.
And thanks for sharing all the information about tea drinking.
Enjoy your week.
Hi Shawn! I love your wicker basket teapot and all that I learned from you today. Your bamboo mats do look perfect with your tea set and the cups are darling. I do like to try many kinds of tea, like you.
ReplyDeleteIntersting, I love the basket and the teapot and cups are stunning. Thanks so much for linking to Inspire Me. Hugs, Marty
ReplyDeleteHow delightful, this is most interesting. Your colourful pictures are amazing.
ReplyDeleteThese looks delightful and so interesting. I love the tea pot in the basket!
ReplyDelete- The Tablescaper
I have never seen a teapot warmer basket before! Very unique! I have a few Japanese tea sets and love them! The colorful designs and inscriptions are so pretty! Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteAnn @ Cairn Cottage (http://cairncottage.blogspot.com)
What a Lovely tea post!! Thanks so much for stopping by!!
ReplyDeleteHugs,
Debbie
You've shared a wealth of information, this is so good to know. Just love your basket tea set.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for sharing at Amaze Me Monday.
Blessings,
Cindy
What an interesting tea pot in a basket Shawn. I have never seen one before. I loved the Chinese symbols and you sharing what they meant. Always learning more about history of things! Thanks for sharing with SYC.
ReplyDeletehugs,
Jann