Through the Lens - Photo Collection 1

Appreciating the visual beauty of the tea leaf. A close up look at the beauty and transformation of various type/category of tea from different regions, at varying maturity of age, induced fermentation under the process of production and subsequent storage.

Tea Session - 1960s Liubao (HK Storage)

The age appearance of the 1960s Liubao tea

The history of Liubao can be traced back to China’s Qing Dynasty. Many sources credit the production of liubao tea as being the origin for the practice of “wet pile fermentation”. This process would transform the tea’s astringent character through warmth and humidity, inducing a unique course of fermentation that would result in a soft and mellow tea. The process of wet fermentation would later be carried over to puerh tea and altered leading to the production and emergence of ripe puerh tea in the early 1970s.

Complementing a Tea Session with Japanese Nerikoh Incense

Heating a Nerikoh ball (Japanese Incense) on charcoal. The strong projection of aroma is enough to scent a small room and create a nice ambience for a tea session. A nice complement to the appreciation of age tea.

Tip: Flatten the Nerikoh ball on the mica plate creates more surface area to heat contact and prevents the ball from rolling freely across. Allow a layer of ash to form on the charcoal before placing the mica plate and incense. This helps to buffer the heat and prevents burning and strong acrid smoke.

More on Handcrafted Incense – Age Nerikoh Balls

Tea Auctions – The Rising Tide of Capitalism

The impact of tea auctions have elevated prices in the category of antique tea. This rising tide of capitalism has spread ripple effects far and wide through the market for old tea.

The Power of Natural Incense

 

Pine wood heated over charcoal. The aroma from the natural resin is sweet and full of complexity. Inhaling deeply awakens the senses and infuses you with life.

Reflecting on Teas with Cha Qi – A Personal Experience

Natural and organic farms, wild tea trees that grow naturally in a biologically diverse environment that is thriving with life provides the source for quality tea leaves that possess good Cha Qi.