tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38667288113414287522024-03-19T01:54:49.370-07:00Pots and TeaCreating Teaware Steeping TeaPetr Novákhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11517473309667122386noreply@blogger.comBlogger107125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3866728811341428752.post-5186456317243423322021-10-10T14:03:00.001-07:002021-10-10T14:03:48.067-07:00New Website<p> </p><p>Dear friends,</p><p>For all of you who would like to take a look, please visit my new website.</p><p><a href="http://POTSANDTEA.CZ"><span style="color: #e06666;">POTSANDTEA.CZ</span></a></p><p>While I am a potter and definitely not a web designer I decided to build this site myself. For a few weeks, I was having a new kind of fun with learning new skills and training my mind in patience while exploring blind streets and exercising rocky mistakes. It is still a work in progress, some features will be added and details need to be tune-up. But it is running already and I am proud and happy. It is nice to have a space to show and share my newest work.</p><br /><p><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pADy0cxd028/YWNS5GDD6FI/AAAAAAABAUY/cI4Kl32DcakjIRr8RKZU3siafT6ef_Z8gCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/Teapot%2B%252304%2B%25286%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pADy0cxd028/YWNS5GDD6FI/AAAAAAABAUY/cI4Kl32DcakjIRr8RKZU3siafT6ef_Z8gCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/Teapot%2B%252304%2B%25286%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></p><p>If you will have any feedback, please don't hesitate to share. I am honestly curious to hear how others see it and how it actually work on your end. You can comment here and if you are interested, I will be happy to sigh you for notifications. You are going to recieve an email when bigger batch of teaware will be added. Just drop me a message here, via email or on the website and I will take care of the rest.</p><p><br /></p><p>Thank you!</p><p>Have a beautiful day.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IbZ8tMYWXuY/YWNUgL823vI/AAAAAAABAUg/bOEhu3QENEcki5hcoMN5tO-a_TncAkbFwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1100/P9163254%2B%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1100" data-original-width="825" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IbZ8tMYWXuY/YWNUgL823vI/AAAAAAABAUg/bOEhu3QENEcki5hcoMN5tO-a_TncAkbFwCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/P9163254%2B%25281%2529.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p>Petr Novákhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11517473309667122386noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3866728811341428752.post-47683737279422736852021-07-25T08:07:00.002-07:002021-09-08T03:20:34.055-07:00Aging Red Tea <br /><div> For a few years already, most of the teas I am drinking are on the darker side. Red teas and roasted oolong, heicha and ripe puer, aged or/and wet stored sheng puers. And during the past year, more and more of the aged red teas found their way to my tea cabinet, pots, and bowls. As aging red tea is still not so well known, I would like to share some of my thoughts and findings from this category. I will try to keep it short, without going into too much detail but I still hope it will give you a nice starting point if you would like to explore aging red tea further. <br /><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ayjJmIYHqUs/YP15XHCWMhI/AAAAAAAA-oQ/KB-7ftZk5UEMn6nG639rupKh-04uEa-DQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1100/P7251384%2B%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1100" data-original-width="825" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ayjJmIYHqUs/YP15XHCWMhI/AAAAAAAA-oQ/KB-7ftZk5UEMn6nG639rupKh-04uEa-DQCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/P7251384%2B%25281%2529.JPG" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Taking notes on teas...<br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div></div>First I will define and share my understanding of the aging process of the red teas and then I would like to talk a bit about four different red teas with different age and character. I have chosen to show you teas that still can be purchased so you can even give them a try and share your own experiences. But as wilt all teas, they will disappear from the market sooner or later. So I hope that this article will inspire you to find other teas like that to try or even to put some fresh ones aside to age.<br /><div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4pn1ZWOlRQo/YP184vjY-zI/AAAAAAAA-pU/o0_HlaFvdRQIKvXXWuQ7Bwh_GKMThjntQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1080/Serenity-2_1_1080x.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Serenity- Dian Hong from 2008" border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4pn1ZWOlRQo/YP184vjY-zI/AAAAAAAA-pU/o0_HlaFvdRQIKvXXWuQ7Bwh_GKMThjntQCLcBGAsYHQ/w320-h320/Serenity-2_1_1080x.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Serenity- Dian Hong from 2008</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><u>Good red tea for aging</u><br /><br /><br />Let me start with a simple yet important point. All teas can age and all teas can get old. Aging I define it as changing over time when new desirable characteristics appear. On the other hand, tea which is getting old is developing in a way that is not enjoyable. In both, aging and getting old, mainly oxidation and fermentation take place. When the area is wide open for experimentation and surprises, there are teas that are recommended for aging and conditions which are recommended as safe and proven to age the particular genre of tea well. So how to choose red tea for aging? And what would be the perfect condition to age such tea? Here is how I approach these questions.<br /><br /><br />For me, I found that to get answers and to understand better, the best way is to start with drinking a lot of different aged teas (red teas in this case) and see which ones really speak to me. From there, I can ask what teas (region and processing) and what aging conditions led to these desirable results. For me, if done with an open mind, consistency, and honesty, this leads to knowledge based on my own experiences. And that is what matters to me very much.<br /><br /><br />Most of the aged red teas which I found interesting are actually dian hongs, red teas from Yunnan, China. There are more reasons why these are more suitable for aging than other red teas but one of the most important ones is in their processing. Dian Hongs are usually not fully oxidized and thanks to the sun drying, oxidation stops not so evenly. They are also not roasted, which means that they have more bacteria life and the humidity content is higher. So if this initial processing is followed by proper storage conditions, the tea will both oxidize (as oolong teas) and ferment (as puers). I believe that this quite unique combination is why I found a well-aged dian hong so amazing. There is richness in taste and aroma as well as depth and body of the tea. If, at the same time, the leaves themselves come from old tea trees, the magic happens.<br /><br /><br />What are “proper” storage conditions? Keeping the tea away from aromas and smells, direct light, and airflow. In a too dry an environment, especially if not seal and tea can slowly die. Too humid, especially if closed/sealed, and molds of different kinds can develop. I believe that to age well, red teas don't require such high humidity as sheng puer. If I should say a number, anything between 55-70% will work. Maybe you will also find an aged red tea that tastes like earthy beetroot. That's too humid storage for my taste. Or dusty, woody dry leaves without a depth? That might be the too dry/too airy years behind such tea...<br /><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TNqPPhKBBmU/YP16ac00KOI/AAAAAAAA-og/NC5pQptVJNQ42mWgMC8C6wQ_uoCsBYZFwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1100/P7251389%2B%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="825" data-original-width="1100" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TNqPPhKBBmU/YP16ac00KOI/AAAAAAAA-og/NC5pQptVJNQ42mWgMC8C6wQ_uoCsBYZFwCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/P7251389%2B%25281%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Taking notes is not my regular way how I enjoy my tea sessions</td></tr></tbody></table>.</div><div><b><u><br /></u></b></div><div><u><b>Four red teas</b></u><b><u><br /></u></b><br />All these aged red teas were purchased from <a href="https://globalteahut.org/" target="_blank"><b><i><span style="color: #ea9999;">Global Tea Hut</span></i></b><span style="color: red;">.</span></a> Even though there are several other teas from different sources, I like how these four teas, which I got from one place, give us variety in age and quality and slightly different experiences. I am not going to give you classic testing notes with valuations and judgments but rather point at differences between and main characteristics. <br /><br />1)2008 Big Snow Mountain Dian Hong<br />2)2006 Red Cloud Dian Hong<br />3)Late 1990’ Red Pine Dian Hong<br />4)1990’ Sun Moon Lake Red Tea<div><br /><br /><br /><u>2008 Big Snow Mountain Dian Hong</u></div><div><u><br /></u></div><div><u><br /></u></div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7nrJDXI3-Is/YP16prbCRUI/AAAAAAAA-ok/jMc_6aJ9iGMrT2fiL24wbetfDYxQHIoQwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1100/P7251400%2B%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="825" data-original-width="1100" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7nrJDXI3-Is/YP16prbCRUI/AAAAAAAA-ok/jMc_6aJ9iGMrT2fiL24wbetfDYxQHIoQwCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/P7251400%2B%25281%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Serenity- 2008 red tea from Yunnan</td></tr></tbody></table></div><div><br /></div><div>Only tea from the four which is pressed in the cake (the rest are loose leaves). And also the youngest of all. This is “my precious”, a very special tea for me, which does not speak to so many people. It is the most expensive of all four and I heard a few comments that this tea is pretty ordinary and for that, you can get much more from other teas. For me, the secret is in using many more leaves. Yes, that will make it even more pricey but from a certain thickness of the liquor, this tea has amazing depth and juju. With not enough leaves it feels a bit watery or ordinary. I suspect it has something to do with the trees and the origin of the tea. A question I have here is how such tea, which is weak and strong at the same time, is going to develop over time. What it will be like in ten, fifteen years?<br /><br /><br /><br /><u>2006 Red Cloud Dian Hong</u><br /> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-E3ZHd0oSQt4/YP166C1zUgI/AAAAAAAA-ow/mhiz4YQkMK4TUajF9NSsTF5vpSfAyjaewCLcBGAsYHQ/s1100/P7251401%2B%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="825" data-original-width="1100" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-E3ZHd0oSQt4/YP166C1zUgI/AAAAAAAA-ow/mhiz4YQkMK4TUajF9NSsTF5vpSfAyjaewCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/P7251401%2B%25281%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">2006 Red Tea called Red Cloud</td></tr></tbody></table><br />This loose leaf tea is the most accessible of all four. Strong body and taste, typical aged red tea aromas are clear and visible. It is quite easy to brew it and to get a strong, enjoyable tea session. The tea is also the cheapest one of all the four. Altogether it is a good candidate as an entry in the world of aged red teas as well as a daily drinker's choice. I got few bags and they are disappearing quite quickly.<br /><br /><br /><u>Late 1990’ Red Pine Dian Hong</u></div><div><u><br /></u></div><div> </div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ACw8NrzD1Lg/YP17JrNXXyI/AAAAAAAA-o8/iU0cTy61Yc4ZiLTaLWfcTAxtk2ZXs2wzgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1100/P7251404%2B%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="825" data-original-width="1100" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ACw8NrzD1Lg/YP17JrNXXyI/AAAAAAAA-o8/iU0cTy61Yc4ZiLTaLWfcTAxtk2ZXs2wzgCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/P7251404%2B%25281%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">90' red tea called Red Pine</td></tr></tbody></table></div><div><u><br /></u></div><div> Red pine is amazing. It has all the good stuff from the Red Cloud plus some extras. With a bit of a higher price tag you will get an amazing tea. I drink it quite often during cold winter days from bowl to let its super warming energy show its best. Now I switched to small gongfu, with more leaves and short steepings I get thick, aromatic, uplifting liquor for many rounds. Compare to the Red Pine, it feels like there are not only extra few years of aging but also the material (the tea leaves themselves) come from old-older trees. There is more to experience in the sense of subtle energy and depth.</div><div><br /><br /><u>1990’ Sun Moon Lake Red Tea</u></div><div><u><br /></u></div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lONJ0D8P__E/YP17SDdWgqI/AAAAAAAA-pA/D-6cF4IVMvMMpAfnAyYFsRCvl1aJWkbwgCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/P7251409%2B%25281%2529.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">90' red tea from Taiwan</td></tr></tbody></table><div> <br /><br /><br />This tea is the only one of the four which is not from Yunnan China but from Taiwan. Yes, not only dian hongs are good for aging. But to find a good aged red tea from other regions is rarer for sure. I visited Sun Moon Lake (SML) a couple of times and I like teas from the Sun Moon Lake area very much. So it is great to have the opportunity to drink tea from there which was aged for 30+ years. When we compare this tea with teas which we most of the time find as SML tea, the tea leaves are pretty small and tippy. It is good tea and can be prepared very casually to get a nice, tasty brew. But to really get the best of it, it asks for our attention. I would encourage you not to be afraid to experiment with the amount of leaves you use, timing, and brewing methods.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div> <img border="0" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cI7BquUAhIo/YP17f510eWI/AAAAAAAA-pE/eS76w-Q8lp87-moHYdNbCsc-keiy5OjKACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/P7251395%2B%25281%2529.JPG" /><br /><br /><br /><br />Trying a variety of aged red teas also gives us a chance to better understand what in aged tea is the influence and expression of aging and what is the origin and processing of the tea. There is one taste/aroma line that you can find in all four teas, especially in the dry leaves and first steepings. Later on, more of the unique character of the particular tea leaf is visible. All the four teas I have mentioned above seem to have similar aging conditions, if it was in Taiwan (as I suspect) then the humidity was not too strong, and the teas were stored in a clean, protected place. <br /><br /><br /><br /><br />In the end, I would like to encourage you to not only go and try a variety of different red teas of different ages, regions, and storage. I hope to also inspire you to give it a try and age some teas you like yourself. For example, to get an extra 500g of tea you really like once a year and fill up some nice jar can be a nice tradition to start, don't you think? In ten, fifteen years, your older you is going to be very grateful to your present you for doing so. I do have some cakes which I store for more than ten years and some are super nice, some are so-so but all of them give me nice memories and, more importantly, a new experience-based knowledge.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yRfU6FPpmAw/YP17sbi2ylI/AAAAAAAA-pM/aU849wKo4AgPVfY0lPTHmy1oJC83RkVQACLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h300/P7251410%2B%25281%2529.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Red Cloud in bowl...quiet morning</td></tr></tbody></table><div> </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /></div><br /></div>Petr Novákhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11517473309667122386noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3866728811341428752.post-88108433151646874372021-04-18T04:25:00.003-07:002021-04-18T08:50:59.401-07:00Boiled Tea in Sidehandle teapot<br />Boiling tea is one of the oldest ways to prepare tea. As almost every book on tea starts with “Tea was used as medicine in ancient China for thousands of years”, there are also legends as well as researchers by historians which talk about boiling the tea leaves, both with other herbs and ingredients as well as boiling tea alone to get the healing, medicinal liquor. These methods are not forgotten but compare to other tea preparations, boiled tea is almost unknown.<div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PWglt0ITJ34/YHv4KCpp2YI/AAAAAAAA8FE/f6C5pQw_YtcDanWuIG_PXT1-qw3ER6bjgCLcBGAsYHQ/s2000/P2270843.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="2000" height="351" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PWglt0ITJ34/YHv4KCpp2YI/AAAAAAAA8FE/f6C5pQw_YtcDanWuIG_PXT1-qw3ER6bjgCLcBGAsYHQ/w351-h351/P2270843.jpg" width="351" /></a></div><div><br /><br />Over the past couple of years, boiled tea has become more popular and to the tea lover’s ears, the idea does not sound so exotic anymore. I was amazed by the idea of boiling from the first time I heard about it, there is something archetypal in the process of boiling plants. So I naturally started to develop some teaware for such magic. In this short article, I would like to share with you my sidehandle teapots which were created for boiling tea, few tips on boiling in such pot, and how to take care of them.<br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ln5Y_XDdUvc/YHv7vyuhpxI/AAAAAAAA8FU/uzs9DPMBu2w08nAgMsCZ8st3eRuyDPn_ACLcBGAsYHQ/s1080/unglazed_regural_wood_01.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="923" data-original-width="1080" height="227" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ln5Y_XDdUvc/YHv7vyuhpxI/AAAAAAAA8FU/uzs9DPMBu2w08nAgMsCZ8st3eRuyDPn_ACLcBGAsYHQ/w266-h227/unglazed_regural_wood_01.JPG" width="266" /></a></div><div><u>A Guide to Boiling Tea</u></div><div><br /></div><div>If you would like to know more about the boiling method itself, I would recommend reading this issue of the global tea hut magazine <a href="http://archive.globalteahut.org/issue/75">Global Tea Hut Archive - April 2018 Issue</a> </div><div><br /></div><div>I if you would like to dive deeper, I would really recommend taking<a href="https://www.teahutcourses.com/courses/boiled-tea" target="_blank"> the Boiling course from Global Tea Hut</a> There will be everything you need to know :)</div><div><br /><br /><br /><br /><u><b>Flameproof clay</b></u><br /><br /><br />First: Not all teapots are for boiling! I received this picture from my customer with kind of “what I did wrong” question. The pot he purchased from me a while ago was not made of flameproof clay. Actually, most of the pots are not suitable for boiling. So be careful.<div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5HK6QZ1R0Ys/YHv9k98zlKI/AAAAAAAA8Fc/Jzsvsb6P8HMglbchOlz5mCbcBpzdGDO7wCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_20200412_093238.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5HK6QZ1R0Ys/YHv9k98zlKI/AAAAAAAA8Fc/Jzsvsb6P8HMglbchOlz5mCbcBpzdGDO7wCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_20200412_093238.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><u>BEFORE YOU START, PLEASE MAKE SURE THAT YOUR POT IS MADE OF FLAMEPROOF CLAY AND MEANT TO BE USED FOR BOILING. ASK THE MAKER OR YOUR SUPPLIER IF NOT SURE. If it is the pot from me, send me a picture and I will confirm<br /></u><br /><br />It took me a while to develop the clay with the proper composition. Literally a few dozens of cracked pots and tons of testing. As you can maybe see from the pictures, it is the same clay (or variations of it) which I use for making kettles. It can handle charcoal as well as gas and electric heat sources.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5FZ8xQfLojc/YHwUct4jZEI/AAAAAAAA8F0/g1Xd1ZaW4lsR-90L8yiB1lSi5GEJJZyxwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1920/Polish_20200405_174009731.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1489" data-original-width="1920" height="278" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5FZ8xQfLojc/YHwUct4jZEI/AAAAAAAA8F0/g1Xd1ZaW4lsR-90L8yiB1lSi5GEJJZyxwCLcBGAsYHQ/w358-h278/Polish_20200405_174009731.jpg" width="358" /></a></div><br /><div><br /><br />To give you a better idea how such pot works, here are few lines from the user manual I sending with my flameproof teapots:</div><div><br /></div><div>------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------</div><div><i>THIS TEAPOT:<br /><br />....was created for boiling tea or herbs, but can also very well serve as a kettle, for heating and boiling water</i></div></div><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><div><div style="text-align: left;"><i><br />......can be used over electric, gas, alcohol as well as charcoal heat sources. If used over infrared (IR) or gas, please use it together with the flame diffuser I send together with the pot. Flame diffuser protects clay from the too intense thermal shocks. You don't have to use the diffuser when heating over the charcoal or using an alcohol burner to maintain the heat<br /><br />......I recommend filling it up to around 3/4 of its volume . Boiling tea creates foam and bubbles and can easily overflow if the pot is full. Low fire is usually enough for maintaining the boil.<br /><br />....over stronger heat sources, the ceramic handle can get a bit of the heat as well. Be aware of it and keep the handle away from the direct fire/heat. If the handle get hot, use a tea towel to hold and pour comfortably<br /><br />.....if empty but still hot from boiling, please let it cool down for couple of minutes before refilling with cold water<br /><br />.....When the tea session is over, empty the teapot while it is still warm, clean well with hot water and let it dry. Before closing and storing the pot, be sure it is clean and dry.</i><br /><br />--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------<br /><br />I do them mostly unglazed inside. On one hand, glazing inside would make it more smooth, and easier to clean, more user friendly. But I found out the glazing create more tension in the clay and the thermal shock resistance is better if the glaze is not used. And I am choosing resistance over confort :) If you would like to keep your pot clean and without aromas stuck in the clay, I recommend to clean it after you finish your tea session right ahead, and boil inside clean water for a bit, pour it out and let it dry. It works for me very well.<br /><br /><img border="0" data-original-height="1350" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-I6xirp_urNg/YHwVT2ZxM7I/AAAAAAAA8F8/DOEMZEMADQYY7jzsymA6IjLZVD0TdWV5wCLcBGAsYHQ/w256-h320/Instagram_saschkobach_101710822_685466535626404_2302955226825863950_n.jpg" width="256" /></div></div></blockquote><div><div><br /><br />If you went through the videos I shared or you are learning from GTH boiled tea course, you will receive tons of tips on how to boil and what teas are great to prepare this way. What I could recommend is not to be afraid and experiment with what you have right now. You can boil literally any tea after you brew them in your regular way. More the leaves from your teapot, shiboridashi or gaiwan you are using to any clean pot suitable for boiling, glass, or stainless will do. And you will see. Sometimes just heating up to 100°C and a short boil will release an unexpected flavor, sometimes you can boil it for 30min or more. Some teas will be terrible or hardly enjoyable. But some will show their full potential under the longer boil and open their magic for you.<span id="docs-internal-guid-a45bea01-7fff-c1fa-1b93-6289dcdf104b"><div><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AnOTqlKgP_o/YHxTQIRZ2rI/AAAAAAAA8GE/7q2E_i6xSVQEIy7SIVStQps-Qxf-0DSSgCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/OI000045.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AnOTqlKgP_o/YHxTQIRZ2rI/AAAAAAAA8GE/7q2E_i6xSVQEIy7SIVStQps-Qxf-0DSSgCLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h300/OI000045.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CpYy-xqlciI/YHxVUPesqLI/AAAAAAAA8GM/yrsNOeRUqR4U8zLZMmmRBaHscIynLi-IwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1080/IMG_20191025_121649_021.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1080" height="266" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CpYy-xqlciI/YHxVUPesqLI/AAAAAAAA8GM/yrsNOeRUqR4U8zLZMmmRBaHscIynLi-IwCLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h266/IMG_20191025_121649_021.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br />Petr Novákhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11517473309667122386noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3866728811341428752.post-90795426331374368052021-03-08T13:38:00.001-08:002021-03-08T13:38:10.899-08:00Making big pots...<h2 style="text-align: left;"><u><br /></u></h2><h3 style="text-align: left;">Water Storage Jars</h3><br /><br />Pottery is a field with a wide range of skills, and you don't have to master all of them to be a great maker of some particular ceramic objects. Sometimes it can look like two potters are masters in two different crafts. I see some techniques, shapes and finish and I really don’t have any idea how that was made. And even one skill, like throwing one the wheel, can have different focuses.<span id="docs-internal-guid-2f0aafd3-7fff-4c89-3834-fa6fbe23c8e6"><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; padding: 6pt 0pt 0pt 0pt;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bcNShbwLmfk/YEaV0kMu8OI/AAAAAAAA7Ic/5FBd4XUNBsQ9TTg5WAG7T8br9RACV8ligCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/B31A7573_DxO.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1365" height="378" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bcNShbwLmfk/YEaV0kMu8OI/AAAAAAAA7Ic/5FBd4XUNBsQ9TTg5WAG7T8br9RACV8ligCLcBGAsYHQ/w251-h378/B31A7573_DxO.jpg" width="251" /></a></div><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #222222; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span>You are becoming really good at certain forms and with certain clays after repeating them hundreds of times. So it happens that even after two decades behind the wheel, I am really not so great at throwing big pieces, it always takes me a while to get into it and work with elegance and grace. After all, I am spending most of my time behind the wheel within the 0,1-1kg range, sometimes a bit more for kettles or bigger teapots. And here are the water storage jars... This is the beginning of one of my bigger water storage jars. For a ten litre jar I use ten kilos of clay. I like and enjoy very much feeling that extra weight, using forgotten and learning new techniques, listening between my fingers what the clay actually needs.<br /><br /><br /><br /><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; padding: 6pt 0pt 0pt 0pt;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JCtEgY-rC_I/YEaV0qIyxsI/AAAAAAAA7Ig/0pMBwL0Yl_YugOG4n8-KXoMv4fiSUZ22QCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/B31A7579_DxO.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JCtEgY-rC_I/YEaV0qIyxsI/AAAAAAAA7Ig/0pMBwL0Yl_YugOG4n8-KXoMv4fiSUZ22QCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/B31A7579_DxO.jpg" width="320" /></a></p><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; padding: 6pt 0pt 0pt 0pt;"> </p>So much admiration for all those skillful potters who do huge pots, vases, jars, plates and bowls with the lightness of skilled dancers.<p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; padding: 6pt 0pt 0pt 0pt;"> </p><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; padding: 6pt 0pt 0pt 0pt;">Here are a few of those jars fired. Woodifred to around 1300°C, tenmoku glaze inside. Outside I use either simple black glaze which, at the end of the firing cycle is partially covered with charcoal for local heavy reduction effects or tenmoku ash mixture (those brown ones on the first picture)</p><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; padding: 6pt 0pt 0pt 0pt;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1buLfUfNgIQ/YEaXUrLfTsI/AAAAAAAA7Is/vponkN71ozY1VirUcFPLyDbeEUBj3-RZgCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/B31A7737_DxO.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1buLfUfNgIQ/YEaXUrLfTsI/AAAAAAAA7Is/vponkN71ozY1VirUcFPLyDbeEUBj3-RZgCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/B31A7737_DxO.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VQQcX7yp--s/YEaX7FnaE6I/AAAAAAAA7I0/z5nLCW_bFDoCoHlIdTp90xSeOqawNZI3gCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/P2282407.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VQQcX7yp--s/YEaX7FnaE6I/AAAAAAAA7I0/z5nLCW_bFDoCoHlIdTp90xSeOqawNZI3gCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/P2282407.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qlq3Rhqnvlw/YEaYvPsW3uI/AAAAAAAA7JE/gcsHw3dDwfISg2YusMQB-xnfgDPmcwCYQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1693/jar_10litres%2B%25281%2529%2B%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1693" data-original-width="1363" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qlq3Rhqnvlw/YEaYvPsW3uI/AAAAAAAA7JE/gcsHw3dDwfISg2YusMQB-xnfgDPmcwCYQCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/jar_10litres%2B%25281%2529%2B%25281%2529.JPG" /></a></div><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9F3XUaQ7fQ0/YEaYGOR0_aI/AAAAAAAA7I4/nsifO58f7N0-d7btqIvobmF0DI2lRoFqwCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/P2282415.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9F3XUaQ7fQ0/YEaYGOR0_aI/AAAAAAAA7I4/nsifO58f7N0-d7btqIvobmF0DI2lRoFqwCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/P2282415.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-H1g33JS-e1g/YEaZEebh31I/AAAAAAAA7JM/qx8mELNO7vIK-TZSxTNhs4yZffIvbXYLgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1919/Jar_10l%2B%25284%2529%2B%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1456" data-original-width="1919" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-H1g33JS-e1g/YEaZEebh31I/AAAAAAAA7JM/qx8mELNO7vIK-TZSxTNhs4yZffIvbXYLgCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/Jar_10l%2B%25284%2529%2B%25281%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; padding: 6pt 0pt 0pt 0pt;"><br /></p><div><br /></div></span>Petr Novákhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11517473309667122386noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3866728811341428752.post-33641946844985840842021-02-25T05:09:00.003-08:002021-02-25T05:09:22.518-08:00Ceramic Kettles on Fire<h2 style="text-align: left;"> <br /><u>Ceramic Kettles on Fire</u></h2><div><u><br /></u></div> <a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QnMi6kOMfSk/YDefUnD3HLI/AAAAAAAA64E/CGJz46xSjYwaG4z2644etlv1tR4jZiebACLcBGAsYHQ/s1080/IMG_20210225_135529_076.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="363" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QnMi6kOMfSk/YDefUnD3HLI/AAAAAAAA64E/CGJz46xSjYwaG4z2644etlv1tR4jZiebACLcBGAsYHQ/w363-h363/IMG_20210225_135529_076.jpg" width="363" /></a><br /><br />Many of you, outdoor tealovers, have been asking if you can use my ceramic kettles over an open fire, particularly on the raw, back to the cave familiar bone fire. (Bone fire, like that English expression since the first time I heard it). Not wanting to dive into long explaining emails and messages, my answer is usually a bit shady. In short, I answer something like:<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>“Yes/well maybe, but you should be careful, please use common sense”</i></div><i><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GF0g6NET1EM/YDefXfiR8-I/AAAAAAAA64U/6Gd9CC8onzIqGjBr4WP2CYHbONRnvqZ8ACLcBGAsYHQ/s6000/DSZ06108.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GF0g6NET1EM/YDefXfiR8-I/AAAAAAAA64U/6Gd9CC8onzIqGjBr4WP2CYHbONRnvqZ8ACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/DSZ06108.JPG" width="320" /></a></div></i><br /> But as this is not saying much and you want to try it anyway, here are my thoughts on using ceramic kettles to heat tea water on the open fire. I hope it will give you all that you need to avoid disasters or some unwanted surprises. <br /><br /><br />Heating water on an open fire has its depth and beauty and we all know, or at least have some idea how cool that can be. So I will not talk about all the “good stuff” and benefits of that raw energy in our tea experience. But what are the risks and challenges? What to avoid and do I really want to go there with ceramic in the first place?<br /><br /> <br /><br />Let’s split the theme in half. First, take a look from the clay/kettle point of view and then I will also do a few points to be aware of from a “tea point of view”. Here I also want to remind you that I am talking about my ceramic kettles made of flame-proof clay. If you are not sure what clay is your pot made of, then rather don't go there at all. Most of the clays out there are not suitable for boiling at all, pots will crack and be lost forever.<br /><br /><br />So you have my ceramic kettle, made of flame-proof clay and you want to use it over a bonfire? Well then...<br /><br /><br /><h3 style="text-align: left;"><u><i>For the kettle sake</i></u></h3><div><u><i><br /></i></u></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wSbHA7NiTQg/YDefVD_RJFI/AAAAAAAA64M/ITMgx1-7ctYYd9d607DWetkhrucExReCgCLcBGAsYHQ/s930/Kettle_Black_bamboo_02_1500ml%2B%25281%2529%2B%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="625" data-original-width="930" height="204" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wSbHA7NiTQg/YDefVD_RJFI/AAAAAAAA64M/ITMgx1-7ctYYd9d607DWetkhrucExReCgCLcBGAsYHQ/w303-h204/Kettle_Black_bamboo_02_1500ml%2B%25281%2529%2B%25281%2529.JPG" width="303" /></a></div><br />-use it rather on burning embers, leftovers of the fire rather than on strong long flames. Rather no flames or very low flames, the strong heat of the burning pillow is what you are looking for.<br /><br />-use an iron tripod or hunger so you can regulate how high your pot is from the heat. You can create a tripod from stones if necessary<br /><br />-use not smoking, clean fire. Wood full of resin or wet pieces rather be avoided. Hardwood is a better choice<br /><br />-even without the smoking wood, the bottom will get carbon deposits. Your pot will get dirty, be ready for that. Not all those marks will be washable.<br /><br />-never let empty or close to empty pot on the fire<br /><br />-let the pot cool down a bit before refilling with new cold water<br /><br />-clay is porous, smoke and flame gases will get in the clay and so will be noticeable even in your future tea sessions. For that reason, I recommend dedicating one kettle of these flame sessions and having other kettle(s) for your more refined teas and sessions<br /><br /><br /><h3 style="text-align: left;"><u>And now, for the sake of the tea..</u></h3><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XcfE1oAlxAk/YDefUk5LWFI/AAAAAAAA64I/mwQNmYzb-74eSTdBNS_lL_e3djRdbgaRACLcBGAsYHQ/s1000/Instagram_careforteaware_98256182_708092716399844_1762692199849132543_n.jpg"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XcfE1oAlxAk/YDefUk5LWFI/AAAAAAAA64I/mwQNmYzb-74eSTdBNS_lL_e3djRdbgaRACLcBGAsYHQ/w320-h320/Instagram_careforteaware_98256182_708092716399844_1762692199849132543_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GzPPZMIGXvA/YDefVozAhsI/AAAAAAAA64Q/Qfq_BP3Q_rosPgxuc2e0-pf1QB9JYZBRwCLcBGAsYHQ/s924/kettles_set%2B%252821%2529%2B%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="924" data-original-width="616" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GzPPZMIGXvA/YDefVozAhsI/AAAAAAAA64Q/Qfq_BP3Q_rosPgxuc2e0-pf1QB9JYZBRwCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/kettles_set%2B%252821%2529%2B%25281%2529.JPG" /></a>Having an open fire at the tea session is magical but a real bonfire is not ideal, for several reasons the clean charcoal is a better choice. First of all, re-read the last point above. You can literally taste the fire/smoke in your cup. And if you are using a porous clay kettle, the smoke will get in the clay and through the clay. But if you decided to go for it anyway:<br />- you might want to choose a tea that can handle a bit of smoky flavor (dark shou puerh, or strong red would be my first choice), <br /><br />-take with you the fitting teaware. Not fancy Yixing or porous pots which you use for your finest teas. <br /><br />-if you are preparing in a ceremonial way, pay attention to the whole tea setting before you start. It is difficult to feed the fire, without smoking on your guests and pour gracefully while overboiling water is spilling into the burning hot ash. Sit there and try a few times before inviting guests over.<br /><br /><br />I love heating the water on an open fire and I honestly feel that I don't do it often enough. I have one pot dedicated for that occasion, the one you see in the first picture. There is unmistakable magic in it. But if I want the occasion to be about tea, and offer the best for my guests, then I choose even for outside charcoal or gas stove. Making a small bone fire later if the mood is there.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div>Petr Novákhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11517473309667122386noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3866728811341428752.post-87608629367761238232021-02-23T12:46:00.000-08:002021-02-23T12:46:20.692-08:00Sidehandle Teapot Making<p> </p><p>Creating a teapot has many steps, and those are spread over a few days. If we will count the firing as well or the clay preparation before it even starts, then we are talking months. But that's another story. Here on this speed up, video is a few of those steps captured, two days in three minutes. It was my regular clay creative days, not special arrangements for the video making. And so not all is shot from the best angle and not all are visible or clear. But I enjoyed the flow, and next time will be better. If any questions, feel free to leave a comment, I am happy to share.</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="357" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/EiA3S64cn8M" width="429" youtube-src-id="EiA3S64cn8M"></iframe></div><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Petr Novákhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11517473309667122386noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3866728811341428752.post-25829849658650430892021-02-10T09:39:00.002-08:002021-02-10T09:39:51.595-08:00Red Robe a sidehandle in the serie production<h1 style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #262626; font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><br /></span></h1><i>RED ROBE</i><div><br /> the sidehandle in the serie production...does it look like a batch, series production? Well, I am already for some time trying to create pieces in lines, in a kind of series which can be repeated. As a studio potter and artist, I am finding a lot of joy in creativity, exploring new ideas, designs and techniques. But I am more and more finding also a high value in pieces which are tuned up, work well for their purpose and in certain contexts. And as such can be repeated, bringing consistency to you as a user and, at the same time, giving me a chance to really tune things up by repetition and the routine.<div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bHPpp4c67Aw/YCQWpLUE3mI/AAAAAAAA6tc/CQ0jsYvmhJYKZW7Pfevu3C0zxcsaeYAGACLcBGAsYHQ/s1440/Polish_20201118_160350503%2B%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="1440" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bHPpp4c67Aw/YCQWpLUE3mI/AAAAAAAA6tc/CQ0jsYvmhJYKZW7Pfevu3C0zxcsaeYAGACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/Polish_20201118_160350503%2B%25281%2529.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div><br style="background-color: white; color: #262626; font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #262626; font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" />This "Red Robe" small boiling sidehandle is one of those "well proven" products. Aside from making a few over the past year for my dear customers, I also keep one in our personal use. And this piece became quite quickly one of the most used pots (from many:)). Even after more than a year of regular use, I am so happy with its function in my tea practise. So what is so good about it?<br /><br />-perfect size for one-two people daily drinking, in 350-370ml<br /><br />-easy to travel with<br /><br />-simple coloring, shape and surface which fits to various settings and occasions<br /><br style="background-color: white; color: #262626; font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" />And last but not least: It is made of clay suitable for boiling. Which means that after a few rounds of my morning tea, it quite often ends up on the stove to boil the leaves directly in the pot. If you like boiled tea as much as I do, you understand the beauty of this feature.<br style="background-color: white; color: #262626; font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" /><br /><br style="background-color: white; color: #262626; font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #262626; font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aFXEL03VZhk/YCQWzjauDkI/AAAAAAAA6tg/HhKE9XnKKPI2QkGUIHzCoQVMTmuw7ztHwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1188/Polish_20201118_160053074.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1187" data-original-width="1188" height="292" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aFXEL03VZhk/YCQWzjauDkI/AAAAAAAA6tg/HhKE9XnKKPI2QkGUIHzCoQVMTmuw7ztHwCLcBGAsYHQ/w292-h292/Polish_20201118_160053074.jpg" width="292" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></span>My ideal dream would be to have a few of these always ready, always in stock for any of you who would like to enrich your tea life with such practical toll. I am not there yet, just a few were made and they sell quickly. But I am doing my best, the Red Robe is a good pot to have.<br /><br /><br /> <span style="background-color: white; color: #262626; font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><br /></span><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UvVEjL0xt34/YCQVDVUe5UI/AAAAAAAA6tM/mbZfMKNgsuQ2JdeeJIUrX3u7Ip4uJRXMwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1519/red_robe_350ml%2B%25282%2529%2B%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1013" data-original-width="1519" height="237" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UvVEjL0xt34/YCQVDVUe5UI/AAAAAAAA6tM/mbZfMKNgsuQ2JdeeJIUrX3u7Ip4uJRXMwCLcBGAsYHQ/w357-h237/red_robe_350ml%2B%25282%2529%2B%25281%2529.JPG" width="357" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Left handed version</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-p2lDznb94XI/YCQaQZvriVI/AAAAAAAA6ts/Ew4junsOJv04yY_zalNjZPI7FxT90QpTwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1710/red_robe_350ml%2B%25284%2529%2B%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1140" data-original-width="1710" height="227" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-p2lDznb94XI/YCQaQZvriVI/AAAAAAAA6ts/Ew4junsOJv04yY_zalNjZPI7FxT90QpTwCLcBGAsYHQ/w341-h227/red_robe_350ml%2B%25284%2529%2B%25281%2529.JPG" width="341" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><h2 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>Thank you for reading</i></span></h2></div><br /></div>Petr Novákhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11517473309667122386noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3866728811341428752.post-28359173385087452612021-02-02T06:11:00.003-08:002021-02-02T06:15:33.346-08:00<p> </p><h2 style="text-align: left;"></h2><br /><h2 style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #444444;"><br /></span></h2><h2 style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #444444;"> Is there a "too beautiful" thing?</span></h2><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"> <a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hSLePVCVZPU/YBlcsloYRPI/AAAAAAAA6gc/APh4CegUGsssi8HnJXWatmy2xTacN71qwCPcBGAYYCw/s2048/B31A7005_DxO.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" height="262" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hSLePVCVZPU/YBlcsloYRPI/AAAAAAAA6gc/APh4CegUGsssi8HnJXWatmy2xTacN71qwCPcBGAYYCw/w394-h262/B31A7005_DxO.jpg" width="394" /></a></div><i><br /></i><br /><br /><br />"wow, that's just too beautiful" shoot one of my friends when seeing freshly fired pieces. A truly lovely description of the overwhelming experience and feelings. I believe there are not such things as a "too beautiful", "too good" "too tasty" "too wise" or "too pleasurable". But there are definitely limitations of our minds, limitations of how much of the "good" we are actually able to embrace and fully live thru. And I also believe that training ourselves in handling more of the good, more of the beauty of the life, is simply worthwhile effort. <br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://www.blogger.com/#"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cuvQqy3ISR8/YBlcsP45fTI/AAAAAAAA6gk/i0ZEU8C8IacP5WuhdxzSObbRTog1unpVACPcBGAYYCw/w640-h426/B31A7724_DxO.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><div><br /><u><br /></u></div><div><u><i><br /></i></u></div><div><u><i><br /></i></u></div></div>Petr Novákhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11517473309667122386noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3866728811341428752.post-54964436606768268852016-03-05T07:07:00.000-08:002016-08-29T00:01:30.848-07:00Call for Entries- Pottery Design Competition and Exhibition, 2016<br />
<div>
<br />
For all teaware artists out there...<br />
<br />
<u><b>Call for Entries for the 6th Taiwan International Gold Teapot Prizes <br />Pottery Design Competition and Exhibition, 2016</b></u></div>
<div>
<br />
Being asked to spread a word, I would like to share an interesting opportunity. It is for all colleagues potters who would like to participate in teapot exhibition on Taiwan. Both functional and sculptural entries are accepted, the event is hold during October 2016 in Ceramic Museum in Yingge </div>
<div>
<i><br /></i></div>
<div>
<i>( </i><i>for all teaware lovers: </i><i>Yingge is one of the "have to see" places on Taiwan !!) </i></div>
<div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
For all details, <b><u><a href="http://register2016.weebly.com/register-info.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #990000;">please visit this page</span></a></u></b>. If you would like to participate and you will have any troubles with your entry, contact me at keramikakcajiATgmail.com, I will try to help!</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I was happy to participate on this event during 2014. Bellow you can see few pictures from the opening ceremony day from October 2014...</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<i>Big thanks to dear friend <a href="http://thejadeleaf.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #990000;">TheJadeLeaf</span></a> for taking those pictures for me there! </i></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RtAlGiG-vFg/VGZWu0YEznI/AAAAAAAAkH4/CyW0sHm5_SM/s1600/IMG_5763.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RtAlGiG-vFg/VGZWu0YEznI/AAAAAAAAkH4/CyW0sHm5_SM/s400/IMG_5763.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-585q7UfmYec/VGZUDMBgQCI/AAAAAAAAj1Q/_oHhoCpm4xc/s1600/IMG_5613.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-585q7UfmYec/VGZUDMBgQCI/AAAAAAAAj1Q/_oHhoCpm4xc/s400/IMG_5613.JPG" width="266" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1WN14pnpEcM/VGZUMK4L8PI/AAAAAAAAj2o/9I6jr7CD8U4/s1600/IMG_5624.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1WN14pnpEcM/VGZUMK4L8PI/AAAAAAAAj2o/9I6jr7CD8U4/s400/IMG_5624.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7oxC4PzZoTI/VGZUTyyuQYI/AAAAAAAAj3w/W025wwi0utc/s1600/IMG_5633.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7oxC4PzZoTI/VGZUTyyuQYI/AAAAAAAAj3w/W025wwi0utc/s400/IMG_5633.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NMijsutn3g8/VGZUUpdfUNI/AAAAAAAAj34/XpSRoOGADdw/s1600/IMG_5634.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NMijsutn3g8/VGZUUpdfUNI/AAAAAAAAj34/XpSRoOGADdw/s400/IMG_5634.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-elmJ--ph5DY/VGZUiyJ5F9I/AAAAAAAAl7Y/uGEVr1wY3kQ/s1600/IMG_5649.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-elmJ--ph5DY/VGZUiyJ5F9I/AAAAAAAAl7Y/uGEVr1wY3kQ/s640/IMG_5649.JPG" width="426" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6tHEpx9r8ls/VGZU9IgfRwI/AAAAAAAAj9g/daaLU8NOsVg/s1600/IMG_5679.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6tHEpx9r8ls/VGZU9IgfRwI/AAAAAAAAj9g/daaLU8NOsVg/s400/IMG_5679.JPG" width="266" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CQNo3w2nj0Y/VGZVhoIUJaI/AAAAAAAAkCg/OTn4sgHb23s/s1600/IMG_5719.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CQNo3w2nj0Y/VGZVhoIUJaI/AAAAAAAAkCg/OTn4sgHb23s/s400/IMG_5719.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>Thank you for reading!</i></span></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
</div>
Petr Novákhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11517473309667122386noreply@blogger.com35tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3866728811341428752.post-92178377391923491102016-02-11T09:19:00.002-08:002016-08-29T00:01:30.873-07:00Charcoal fire serie, episode #4 <br />
This is another contribution to long lasting discussion on using charcoal fire as traditional source of heat for boiling tea water. Main points were probably already said in my old articles on this blog, but there are few new things I would like to share. For those who haven't had a chance to read the original texts, you can follow these links:<br />
<br />
<a href="http://potsandtea.blogspot.cz/2012/11/heating-water-on-charcoal-part-one.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #990000;">Part #1</span></a><br />
<a href="http://potsandtea.blogspot.cz/2013/03/heating-water-on-charcoal-part-two.html" style="color: #cc0000;" target="_blank">Part #2</a><br />
<a href="http://potsandtea.blogspot.cz/2014/07/stoves-braziers-for-heating-water.html" style="color: #cc0000;" target="_blank">Part #3</a><br />
<div>
<span style="color: #990000;"><br /></span>I would like to start with a suggestion. I would like recommend to anyone who is using charcoal fire, or is thinking about going to this direction, read<span style="color: #990000;"> <a href="http://www.globalteahut.org/resources/aug15elec.pdf" target="_blank"><span style="color: #990000;">Issue 43, August 2015</span></a></span> of Global Tea Hut magazine. Main topic of the August issue was Fire, "The Teacher of Tea" There are many things to think about, to try, many interesting information and teachings. Of course, I would also strongly recommend to go and<a href="http://www.globalteahut.org/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #cc0000;"> subscribe</span></a>. It is really nice to have such magazine in hands every month. For many reasons. The community of supporters is growing and the magazine is growing with it. If you have not subscribe yet, or you missed some older issues, than you can read <a href="http://www.globalteahut.org/pastissues.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #cc0000;">past issues online</span></a> and for free (with some small and intelligible delay).<br />
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-s9Wz2hvHaUY/Vry9zM3_ubI/AAAAAAAAn_4/eklTjmDUvGQ/s1600/magazin%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-s9Wz2hvHaUY/Vry9zM3_ubI/AAAAAAAAn_4/eklTjmDUvGQ/s400/magazin%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Magazine traveled a big journey since I recieved it for the first time...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------</span></div>
<br />
Another thing, which can make whole experience much easier for you, charcoal devotee are any informations where to source good, high quality charcoal. I have not colected any long list yet, good charcoal is not easy to find these days. ( I welcome any tips for all reading this blog in the comments section !!!). But at least, I can share two sources of good charcoal right now:<br />
<br />
- If the Big Apple is not across an ocean, you might want to try original Japanese Binchotan charcoal <a href="http://korin.com/Grillware_2/binchotan_accessories_2" target="_blank"><span style="color: #cc0000;">from Korin</span></a>. It is not cheap but the quality is really high, they have different grades and styles and if you don't have to pay an expensive shipping, then it is definitely worth to try.<br />
<br />
This how Binchotan Aramaru looks at our porch. It is much heavier and more dense then any charcoal I had before...<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QHxucLYaaTc/Vry9ue7IiGI/AAAAAAAAoAE/PWwKuj02klM/s1600/DSC_0158.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QHxucLYaaTc/Vry9ue7IiGI/AAAAAAAAoAE/PWwKuj02klM/s400/DSC_0158.JPG" width="400" /></a></span></div>
</div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
- And now good news for us, European. There is good quality accessible charcoal around! Thanks to good friend, I get a chance to try this new charcoal and fall in love instantly. Made in Austria, I can almost call it local (...local supermarket as the second option is much less local ) It si family business making charcoal in tradition way. They are even applicants to become UNESCO heritage with their way of burning charcoal. Here is<a href="http://nationalagentur.unesco.at/cgi-bin/unesco/element.pl?eid=51&lang=de#" style="line-height: 1.38; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #990000; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">cool video about the procces </span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.6667px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; line-height: 1.38; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">.</span><br />
<div style="line-height: 1.38;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; line-height: 1.38; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3ktT9Yra3hQ/Vry9tFXzT4I/AAAAAAAAoAE/lsSMU7Xinpk/s1600/DSC_0155.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3ktT9Yra3hQ/Vry9tFXzT4I/AAAAAAAAoAE/lsSMU7Xinpk/s400/DSC_0155.JPG" width="266" /></a></div>
<div style="line-height: 1.38;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-V6xV7kcJ_Tc/Vry9sXRU84I/AAAAAAAAoAE/Emb_P3OAHFw/s1600/DSC_0152.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-V6xV7kcJ_Tc/Vry9sXRU84I/AAAAAAAAoAE/Emb_P3OAHFw/s400/DSC_0152.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Austrian and the left, Japanesse on the right...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="line-height: 1.38;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
I am not going to give you a long talk about it, but compare to all other stuff I could buy around, this wins in all requiements. Cleaner, smokeless (if dry!), nicer, last longer. The only "flaw" is that it is not so easy to light up compared to softwood charcoal from supermarket. It needs more attention, but I get use to it and I am never going back. If you are interested<a href="http://holzkohle.at/Koehlerei/Verkauf.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #cc0000;"> here are their products</span></a><br />
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------<br />
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
Last thing I would like to share today is my shift in the whole "how to light up" question. Last year I started experimenting with charcoal lighters. Our kitchen electric glass stove does not like do this dirty work so much...And later I actually found out that, when you use the right charcoal lighter in the right way, it works even better. Of course, we are not going to use any heavy-chemical lighters for our tea fire. But still, when using charcoal lighter, do it outside - charcoal, before it is on fire, smokes. Sometimes a lot (remember: cleaner lighter and drier charcoal means less smoke!)<br />
<br />
<br />
You can see three different charcoal lighters here. The middle man is the worst one, wood chips mixed with a lot of paraffin. It works but does not light so well and smoke is heavier. The right side one would be my second choice (even that looks really cool), and the left one is my favorite. Very fine mixture of wood chips, paper and a bit of paraffin. <br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hc_uAZsOvak/Vry9t-ajrkI/AAAAAAAAoAE/BZQNxBgAeUs/s1600/DSC_0156.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hc_uAZsOvak/Vry9t-ajrkI/AAAAAAAAoAE/BZQNxBgAeUs/s640/DSC_0156.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
Here you can see few pictures from yesterday fire party. I use my stopwatch to see how much time I actually usually need...</div>
<div dir="ltr" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; line-height: 1.38; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cmwRFnYgxNU/Vry9v_W_3CI/AAAAAAAAoAE/KikRhXQ9eHs/s1600/DSC_0162.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cmwRFnYgxNU/Vry9v_W_3CI/AAAAAAAAoAE/KikRhXQ9eHs/s400/DSC_0162.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="line-height: 1.38;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
After two-three minutes I start to carefully load charcoal around the fire...</div>
<div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-thCLjEN4hys/Vry9xQcS1iI/AAAAAAAAoAE/42xCaNTDLI4/s1600/DSC_0166.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-thCLjEN4hys/Vry9xQcS1iI/AAAAAAAAoAE/42xCaNTDLI4/s400/DSC_0166.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-g4I8kdqq_74/Vry9wtvBanI/AAAAAAAAoAE/-eYrGaebxyY/s1600/DSC_0165.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-g4I8kdqq_74/Vry9wtvBanI/AAAAAAAAoAE/-eYrGaebxyY/s400/DSC_0165.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<br />
...filling the whole basket. Pay attention to how you compose the pile, think about the fire...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SuVxS_ewVDo/Vry9yAFaCCI/AAAAAAAAoAE/nrWUxx4UJ3M/s1600/DSC_0167.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SuVxS_ewVDo/Vry9yAFaCCI/AAAAAAAAoAE/nrWUxx4UJ3M/s400/DSC_0167.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">...a couple of minutes it seems that I put out the fire, but after another minute smoke starts to show...</span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hmzfkhDlToM/Vry9yrNPGtI/AAAAAAAAoAE/MnuUjfBEKzo/s1600/DSC_0173.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hmzfkhDlToM/Vry9yrNPGtI/AAAAAAAAoAE/MnuUjfBEKzo/s400/DSC_0173.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
After ten more minutes fire is visible and smoke is almost down. It is better to wait few more minutes before you move it inside...<br />
<br />
Whole lighting up took me around 16min, but I was attending it just for few minutes on the start. I have not tried to light up the Binchotan this way yet. And as it is much harder-dense charcoal, it can be problem. I will try and share later on...<br />
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qR7_GrMo52Q/Vry9vBUn0QI/AAAAAAAAoAE/Rjm3887gfyA/s1600/DSC_0159.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="328" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qR7_GrMo52Q/Vry9vBUn0QI/AAAAAAAAoAE/Rjm3887gfyA/s400/DSC_0159.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="line-height: 1.38;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Happy fire fellow charcoal lovers!</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div>
<i><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></i>
<i><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></i>
<i><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></i>
<i><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></i>
<i><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></i>
<i><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></i>
<i><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></i>
<i><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></i>
<i><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></i>
<i><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></i>
<i><span style="font-size: large;">T</span></i><i><span style="font-size: large;">hank you for the reading!</span></i><br />
<br /></div>
Petr Novákhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11517473309667122386noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3866728811341428752.post-90153464261726735252016-01-19T02:33:00.001-08:002016-08-29T00:01:30.871-07:00Last piece of the Last Thoughts<br />
Today I decided to open up something more serious, serious in terms of quality and depth. Fusion of heart touching poetry and good tea. It is time for<span style="color: #cc0000;"><b><u> <span style="color: #cc0000;"><a href="http://www.white2tea.com/tea-shop/2014-last-thoughts/" target="_blank">The Last Thoughts...</a></span></u></b></span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-j3jUgGP70yE/Vp4NCegFWaI/AAAAAAAAn6U/uGOEIZudWkc/s1600/DSC_0019.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-j3jUgGP70yE/Vp4NCegFWaI/AAAAAAAAn6U/uGOEIZudWkc/s400/DSC_0019.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
Nice chunk of this expensive tea was generosly given to me by TwoDog in Autumn 2014. These are the last leaves, ready to be brewed and drinked. Ready to make happy all of us who sits around our tea table today...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-C4M18mDl47k/Vp4NApdrZoI/AAAAAAAAn58/J-A8342I97M/s1600/DSC_0012.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-C4M18mDl47k/Vp4NApdrZoI/AAAAAAAAn58/J-A8342I97M/s400/DSC_0012.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TWt6M-ger-s/Vp4NBUVnV3I/AAAAAAAAn6E/wMJ0xbWTgtc/s1600/DSC_0016.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TWt6M-ger-s/Vp4NBUVnV3I/AAAAAAAAn6E/wMJ0xbWTgtc/s400/DSC_0016.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Wrapper have lead us to many dicussions, about tea threes and tea people, Dylan and Woody Guthrie, music and poetry, live and dead, about the life. Thank you TwoDog for that...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/Q0OdNY8Aybw/0.jpg" frameborder="0" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Q0OdNY8Aybw?feature=player_embedded" width="320"></iframe></div>
<br />
<br />
.. <i>I can imagine I will find you both one day in GuaFenZhai in sundown...</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1hGCL2MUzWA/Vp4NEEn6_5I/AAAAAAAAn6k/YhJW10B2uo8/s1600/DSC_0022.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1hGCL2MUzWA/Vp4NEEn6_5I/AAAAAAAAn6k/YhJW10B2uo8/s400/DSC_0022.JPG" width="400" /></a></i></div>
<br />
<div style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; margin-bottom: 1em; outline: none; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
</div>
<div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">When yer head gets twisted and yer mind grows numb</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">When you think you're too old, too young, too smart or too dumb</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">When yer laggin' behind an' losin' yer pace</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">In a slow-motion crawl of life's busy race</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">No matter what yer doing if you start givin' up</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">If the wine don't come to the top of yer cup</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">If the wind's got you sideways with with one hand holdin' on</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">And the other starts slipping and the feeling is gone</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">And yer train engine fire needs a new spark to catch it</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">And the wood's easy findin' but yer lazy to fetch it</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">And yer sidewalk starts curlin' and the street gets too long</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">And you start walkin' backwards though you know its wrong</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">And lonesome comes up as down goes the day</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">And tomorrow's mornin' seems so far away</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">And you feel the reins from yer pony are slippin'</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">And yer rope is a-slidin' 'cause yer hands are a-drippin'</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">And yer sun-decked desert and evergreen valleys</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">Turn to broken down slums and trash-can alleys</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">And yer sky cries water and yer drain pipe's a-pourin'</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">And the lightnin's a-flashing and the thunder's a-crashin'</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">And the windows are rattlin' and breakin' and the roof tops a-shakin'</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">And yer whole world's a-slammin' and bangin'</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">And yer minutes of sun turn to hours of storm</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">And to yourself you sometimes say</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">"I never knew it was gonna be this way</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">Why didn't they tell me the day I was born"</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">And you start gettin' chills and yer jumping from sweat</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">And you're lookin' for somethin' you ain't quite found yet</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">And yer knee-deep in the dark water with yer hands in the air</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">And the whole world's a-watchin' with a window peek stare</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">And yer good gal leaves and she's long gone a-flying</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">And yer heart feels sick like fish when they're fryin'</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">And yer jackhammer falls from yer hand to yer feet</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">And you need it badly but it lays on the street</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">And yer bell's bangin' loudly but you can't hear its beat</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">And you think yer ears might a been hurt</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">Or yer eyes've turned filthy from the sight-blindin' dirt</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">And you figured you failed in yesterdays rush</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">When you were faked out an' fooled white facing a four flush</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">And all the time you were holdin' three queens</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">And it's makin you mad, it's makin' you mean</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">Like in the middle of Life magazine</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">Bouncin' around a pinball machine</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">And there's something on yer mind you wanna be saying</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">That somebody someplace oughta be hearin'</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">But it's trapped on yer tongue and sealed in yer head</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">And it bothers you badly when your layin' in bed</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">And no matter how you try you just can't say it</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">And yer scared to yer soul you just might forget it</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">And yer eyes get swimmy from the tears in yer head</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">And yer pillows of feathers turn to blankets of lead</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">And the lion's mouth opens and yer staring at his teeth</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">And his jaws start closin with you underneath</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">And yer flat on your belly with yer hands tied behind</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">And you wish you'd never taken that last detour sign</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">And you say to yourself just what am I doin'</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">On this road I'm walkin', on this trail I'm turnin'</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">On this curve I'm hanging</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">On this pathway I'm strolling, in the space I'm taking</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">In this air I'm inhaling</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">Am I mixed up too much, am I mixed up too hard</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">Why am I walking, where am I running</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">What am I saying, what am I knowing</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">On this guitar I'm playing, on this banjo I'm frailin'</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">On this mandolin I'm strummin', in the song I'm singin'</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">In the tune I'm hummin', in the words I'm writin'</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">In the words that I'm thinkin'</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">In this ocean of hours I'm all the time drinkin'</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">Who am I helping, what am I breaking</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">What am I giving, what am I taking</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">But you try with your whole soul best</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">Never to think these thoughts and never to let</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">Them kind of thoughts gain ground</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">Or make yer heart pound</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">But then again you know why they're around</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">Just waiting for a chance to slip and drop down</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">"Cause sometimes you hear'em when the night times comes creeping</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">And you fear that they might catch you a-sleeping</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">And you jump from yer bed, from yer last chapter of dreamin'</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">And you can't remember for the best of yer thinking</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">If that was you in the dream that was screaming</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">And you know that it's something special you're needin'</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">And you know that there's no drug that'll do for the healin'</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">And no liquor in the land to stop yer brain from bleeding</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">And you need something special</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">Yeah, you need something special all right</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">You need a fast flyin' train on a tornado track</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">To shoot you someplace and shoot you back</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">You need a cyclone wind on a stream engine howler</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">That's been banging and booming and blowing forever</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">That knows yer troubles a hundred times over</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">You need a Greyhound bus that don't bar no race</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">That won't laugh at yer looks</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">Your voice or your face</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">And by any number of bets in the book</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">Will be rollin' long after the bubblegum craze</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">You need something to open up a new door</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">To show you something you seen before</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">But overlooked a hundred times or more</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">You need something to open your eyes</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">You need something to make it known</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">That it's you and no one else that owns</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">That spot that yer standing, that space that you're sitting</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">That the world ain't got you beat</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">That it ain't got you licked</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">It can't get you crazy no matter how many</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">Times you might get kicked</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">You need something special all right</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">You need something special to give you hope</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">But hope's just a word</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">That maybe you said or maybe you heard</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">On some windy corner 'round a wide-angled curve</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">But that's what you need man, and you need it bad</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">And yer trouble is you know it too good</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">"Cause you look an' you start getting the chills</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">"Cause you can't find it on a dollar bill</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">And it ain't on Macy's window sill</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">And it ain't on no rich kid's road map</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">And it ain't in no fat kid's fraternity house</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">And it ain't made in no Hollywood wheat germ</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">And it ain't on that dimlit stage</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">With that half-wit comedian on it</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">Ranting and raving and taking yer money</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">And you thinks it's funny</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">No you can't find it in no night club or no yacht club</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">And it ain't in the seats of a supper club</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">And sure as hell you're bound to tell</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">That no matter how hard you rub</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">You just ain't a-gonna find it on yer ticket stub</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">No, and it ain't in the rumors people're tellin' you</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">And it ain't in the pimple-lotion people are sellin' you</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">And it ain't in no cardboard-box house</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">Or down any movie star's blouse</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">And you can't find it on the golf course</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">And Uncle Remus can't tell you and neither can Santa Claus</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">And it ain't in the cream puff hair-do or cotton candy clothes</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">And it ain't in the dime store dummies or bubblegum goons</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">And it ain't in the marshmallow noises of the chocolate cake voices</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">That come knockin' and tappin' in Christmas wrappin'</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">Sayin' ain't I pretty and ain't I cute and look at my skin</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">Look at my skin shine, look at my skin glow</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">Look at my skin laugh, look at my skin cry</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">When you can't even sense if they got any insides</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">These people so pretty in their ribbons and bows</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">No you'll not now or no other day</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">Find it on the doorsteps made out-a paper mache¥</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">And inside it the people made of molasses</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">That every other day buy a new pair of sunglasses</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">And it ain't in the fifty-star generals and flipped-out phonies</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">Who'd turn yuh in for a tenth of a penny</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">Who breathe and burp and bend and crack</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">And before you can count from one to ten</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">Do it all over again but this time behind yer back</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">My friend</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">The ones that wheel and deal and whirl and twirl</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">And play games with each other in their sand-box world</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">And you can't find it either in the no-talent fools</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">That run around gallant</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">And make all rules for the ones that got talent</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">And it ain't in the ones that ain't got any talent but think they do</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">And think they're foolin' you</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">The ones who jump on the wagon</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">Just for a while 'cause they know it's in style</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">To get their kicks, get out of it quick</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">And make all kinds of money and chicks</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">And you yell to yourself and you throw down yer hat</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">Sayin', "Christ do I gotta be like that</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">Ain't there no one here that knows where I'm at</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">Ain't there no one here that knows how I feel</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">Good God Almighty</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">THAT STUFF AIN'T REAL"</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">No but that ain't yer game, it ain't even yer race</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">You can't hear yer name, you can't see yer face</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">You gotta look some other place</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">And where do you look for this hope that yer seekin'</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">Where do you look for this lamp that's a-burnin'</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">Where do you look for this oil well gushin'</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">Where do you look for this candle that's glowin'</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">Where do you look for this hope that you know is there</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">And out there somewhere</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">And your feet can only walk down two kinds of roads</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">Your eyes can only look through two kinds of windows</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">Your nose can only smell two kinds of hallways</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">You can touch and twist</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">And turn two kinds of doorknobs</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">You can either go to the church of your choice</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">Or you can go to Brooklyn State Hospital</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">You'll find God in the church of your choice</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">You'll find Woody Guthrie in Brooklyn State Hospital</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">And though it's only my opinion</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">I may be right or wrong</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">You'll find them both</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">In the Grand Canyon</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">At sundown</span><br />
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-djL0SC9UnWY/Vp4NDBTbAQI/AAAAAAAAn6Y/SpbT3vmQ_HI/s1600/DSC_0020.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-djL0SC9UnWY/Vp4NDBTbAQI/AAAAAAAAn6Y/SpbT3vmQ_HI/s400/DSC_0020.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-seKDhOjjQ_4/Vp4NB3zYW9I/AAAAAAAAn6M/gHIccEGVMBc/s1600/DSC_0018.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-seKDhOjjQ_4/Vp4NB3zYW9I/AAAAAAAAn6M/gHIccEGVMBc/s400/DSC_0018.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lyjfsplLFnw/Vp4NEkkMrOI/AAAAAAAAn6o/cr8E9KG_K0w/s1600/DSC_0024.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="284" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lyjfsplLFnw/Vp4NEkkMrOI/AAAAAAAAn6o/cr8E9KG_K0w/s640/DSC_0024.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>Thank you for reading...</i></span></div>
<br />
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
Petr Novákhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11517473309667122386noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3866728811341428752.post-2569591698250448342016-01-04T10:07:00.000-08:002016-08-29T00:01:30.811-07:00New Year, new blogging attitude...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i><b><u>spoiler note before you start the reading</u>:</b> all pictures here are from my November trip to WuYi and Yixing, where I went with my dear friends from <a href="http://www.globalteahut.org/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #e06666;">Global Tea Hut</span></a></i></span><br />
<br />
As many others tea senior blogs , also this one is slow and pretty quiet for some time now. Maybe all have been said in the vast ocean of teablogs. Or maybe people just drink more and talk less. As for me, I personally prefer tea silence over tea talk more and more...<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HcCEIeTLsyA/Voqodo-CmVI/AAAAAAAAn3Y/zs0BkB3vqlo/s1600/DSCN9524.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HcCEIeTLsyA/Voqodo-CmVI/AAAAAAAAn3Y/zs0BkB3vqlo/s400/DSCN9524.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">YanCha in bloom...smell of heaven!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<b>But</b>! Tea is about community, sharing and join-joy as well....<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
So we talk<br />
and share<br />
and lough<br />
and argue and engage in <strike>trifling</strike> tea-fights all the time. But just less on blogs, I guess other social media rule the world these days....<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NBHr4QySLn8/Voqpa6q6YmI/AAAAAAAAn3k/YyLKR3Ll4o8/s1600/DSCN9641.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="203" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NBHr4QySLn8/Voqpa6q6YmI/AAAAAAAAn3k/YyLKR3Ll4o8/s400/DSCN9641.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<i><b><br /></b></i>
<i><b>Actually, tea table is my favorite social medium of all times! What is yours?</b></i><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IpWnCC9IIM0/Voqpt8yurvI/AAAAAAAAn3s/wwrTtd3M40E/s1600/DSCN9674.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="227" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IpWnCC9IIM0/Voqpt8yurvI/AAAAAAAAn3s/wwrTtd3M40E/s400/DSCN9674.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
Anyway, back to this Pots and Tea blog. I honestly do not want to give this space up (yet). I like the idea of more stable online space where I can share my "pots and tea" stories. Just to make it work in my recent live schedule, some changes have to be done...<br />
<br />
First of all, my blog post, from now on, will be shorter but more frequent. My wish is to post here one, two pictures every week. Some kind of "the best weekly", from what happened in our studio, new teaware from our kiln or interesting teas from our tea cabinet. Tea-teaware travels, exhibitions and so on...<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nwobQ1Z1zs8/VoqoSuQi0GI/AAAAAAAAn3Q/Q4BzOfLbY-o/s1600/DSCN9885.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="377" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nwobQ1Z1zs8/VoqoSuQi0GI/AAAAAAAAn3Q/Q4BzOfLbY-o/s400/DSCN9885.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The First Yixing pot in progress...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FWeSvM9pAeU/VoqqEr9409I/AAAAAAAAn30/NfGyECbhvG4/s1600/DSCN9818.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FWeSvM9pAeU/VoqqEr9409I/AAAAAAAAn30/NfGyECbhvG4/s400/DSCN9818.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yes, Dragon Kiln! Where magic happens...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
Then there is our <b><a href="http://potsandtea.blogspot.cz/p/ten-gems_14.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #cc0000;">Ten Gems Collection</span></a></b>...my "ten gems of ten kilns" project was really fun and I can not emphasize enough how I appreciated your support. It was kind of cool "game", there was always live discusions about each new addition to the collection. It helped me to be focused on refining skills with every firing and and still gives me so important feedback on my own past work. But I am not able to keep it running anymore and the collection was not updated for a year now. So lets change it!<br />
<br />
"Ten Gems of Ten Kilns" project is closed now! I send a notification email to all who reserved pieces from that selection and I will send those pieces over with good vibes...<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wDu37KJjvCo/Voqq6YytMGI/AAAAAAAAn4M/GOrcSlG4fng/s1600/DSCN9762.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wDu37KJjvCo/Voqq6YytMGI/AAAAAAAAn4M/GOrcSlG4fng/s400/DSCN9762.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gem Number Twenty Six, enjoying view at a valley in the WuYiShan...<br /><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-A15_eJJP_uM/VoqqzGb9D-I/AAAAAAAAn4E/SzaFWrEL24s/s1600/DSCN9741.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-A15_eJJP_uM/VoqqzGb9D-I/AAAAAAAAn4E/SzaFWrEL24s/s400/DSCN9741.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
But I still would like to put aside "the best" of each firing. For exhibition reasons or future hindsights. However, all that without posting that regularly with no pressure when and how to share it with others. <b>First piece to that New Gem Collection is already aside</b> and I will be happy to share it with you. Sooooo....ooon<br />
<br />
And finally our<span style="color: #cc0000;"> <a href="http://potsandtea.blogspot.cz/p/pots-and-tea-club.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #cc0000;">Pots and Tea Club</span></a></span>- well, there is not many changes in this chapter. Just that we are still tuning that up. But it is already working (almost) smoothly (especially when we consider that it is run by two potters and not by group of IT experts) And it is a lot of fun. And ton of extra "not clay" work. But we receive a lot of support which is more then rewarding. Thanks for that! <b>If you are not in yet</b>, just send me an email to keramikakcajiATgmail.com and we will explain all in details directly.<br />
<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-eog1YoOCrrE/VoqqdEdN6bI/AAAAAAAAn38/c9E61WrK8yA/s1600/DSCN0047.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-eog1YoOCrrE/VoqqdEdN6bI/AAAAAAAAn38/c9E61WrK8yA/s400/DSCN0047.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sitting under Buddha...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
Be in touch soon...<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>Thank you for reading!</i></span>Petr Novákhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11517473309667122386noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3866728811341428752.post-38751200681653142712015-02-27T03:43:00.002-08:002016-08-29T00:01:30.827-07:00Drinking mountain- six Mengku teas<br />
<br />
One of the ways how to learn a bit more about particular kind of tea, style or tea region is to stock your tea cabinet with it and then...drink it.<br />
<br />
Mengku is still kind of mystery to me. Almost all what reach my cup so far have aroused kind of ambivalent feelings. To put it into words I would say "I like it, but I really do not know why, there is not much to like but I do and I want more" To break this down, I decided to go through six Mengku teas in, let say, competition way. No so much in order to label winners and losers. Side by side testing helps me to understand differences and resemblances, Plus, it is always real fun: Sitting, sipping here and there, sniffing for hours - enjoying time devoted only to myself.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Plus it is sunny day, so lets spend it with tea outside!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9XsLCYsuFLs/VO9-DqK5PrI/AAAAAAAAmAA/2s20CzQ6RdY/s1600/P2260035.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9XsLCYsuFLs/VO9-DqK5PrI/AAAAAAAAmAA/2s20CzQ6RdY/s1600/P2260035.JPG" height="400" width="296" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
There are more ways how to taste-compare more teas in line. I prefer to use small shiboridashis with matching cup. It alows me to make several brews of several teas at once. It can also go as close to "gong fu" as possible. And, with some imagination, you can know how each tea will perform in teapot during more serious tea session.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-t7sqhMpXqks/VO9-GXsLxaI/AAAAAAAAmAI/yX2Bt4jFRQw/s1600/P2260037.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-t7sqhMpXqks/VO9-GXsLxaI/AAAAAAAAmAI/yX2Bt4jFRQw/s1600/P2260037.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
All teas I have here are (according to labels ) from 2006, just one 2005. That is good. To avoid mind-lost, I cut the "competition" in two parts followed by finale. Round number one with three teas from <a href="http://yunnansourcing.com/en/1711641053-2006-shuangjiang-mengku-teas" target="_blank"><span style="color: #990000;">Scott's YS</span></a> and round number two with 2005 Shuangjiang from<span style="color: #990000;"> <a href="http://www.white2tea.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #990000;">TwoDog</span></a> </span><i><b><span style="font-size: x-small;">(the cake was around 70$, sold out few months back)</span></b></i>, over-famous BingDao from Peter of <span style="color: #990000;"><a href="http://pu-erh.sk/shop/index.php?route=product/category&path=4_6" target="_blank"><span style="color: #990000;">Pu-ehr.sk </span></a> </span><i><b><span style="font-size: x-small;">(sold out as well. Can you imagine that this cake was around 40$ just 3-4 years back? There is not reasonable exuse for me why I did not buy few tongs back then)</span></b></i> and DaXueShan from <a href="https://www.essenceoftea.com/tea/puerh-tea/2006-eot-da-xue-shan-pressed-in-2013.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #990000;">legendary EOT</span></a>.<br />
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VDT_XLSeIXM/VO99x5VMWsI/AAAAAAAAl_o/_v6dEAAv7QY/s1600/P2260030.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VDT_XLSeIXM/VO99x5VMWsI/AAAAAAAAl_o/_v6dEAAv7QY/s1600/P2260030.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<div>
<br />
<br />
Are you ready for the round one? </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sA-aTlDx-7Y/VO990zZsSGI/AAAAAAAAl_w/08JmYbWW3T0/s1600/P2260031.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sA-aTlDx-7Y/VO990zZsSGI/AAAAAAAAl_w/08JmYbWW3T0/s1600/P2260031.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
We can put aside names, I think it does not say much to us. Wild Arbor King brick, Wild Arbor King cake (both from BingDao area), Big Snow Mountain Wild...Honestly all that sound to me too good to be 100% truth. Especially if we know that Shuanjiang is tea factory with huge (I heard hundreds of tons) production for each release. It does not mean just that Wild King will have just a part of "wild king" leaves in it, but also that sample does not say much. If my 20g of tea is smoky-bitter it does not mean that ten tons down the road it will be also smoky-bitter. That been said, my "competition" is really more about learning of what Mengku is then looking for the best tea.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WPMxNKhpQQY/VO9-R6z9XsI/AAAAAAAAmAQ/NLEFuUW0HMo/s1600/P2260045.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WPMxNKhpQQY/VO9-R6z9XsI/AAAAAAAAmAQ/NLEFuUW0HMo/s1600/P2260045.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pT5PJ5KJ94w/VO9-jZrTcVI/AAAAAAAAmAY/RPK0m-ELtO8/s1600/P2260068.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pT5PJ5KJ94w/VO9-jZrTcVI/AAAAAAAAmAY/RPK0m-ELtO8/s1600/P2260068.JPG" height="400" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div>
<br />
I can say I like all three samples. Just by dry leaves the "wild king cake" wins, more hairy, unbroken leaves with nice smell. From the first brew, it is clear that teas are really siblings. The "wild king brick" and "wild king cake" should made of the same batch of leaves. Maybe. But the brick is pine-smoky and I am still not sure if I like it. The cake have also more distinct taste. Big Snow Mountain (DaXueShan) performed as more subtle, lighter tea then those "kings". All three have trace of pleasant bitterness. And even if I would read their story on YS site, I would label them as "nice dry stored" <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ouDG-q95KOc/VO9-ovX7qSI/AAAAAAAAmAg/QXOlsB1BZbQ/s1600/P2260075.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ouDG-q95KOc/VO9-ovX7qSI/AAAAAAAAmAg/QXOlsB1BZbQ/s1600/P2260075.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">After 8-9 years, leaves are still pretty green.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Would you like to hear a verdict or recommendation? Then if you are after mouthfeel and you do not mind light smokiness, then go for brick (it is also cheapest one) If you are after taste and looking for bitterness, go for "Wild King Cake" That would be my choice. If you like lighter, fragrant teas, then give a try to Big Snow Mountain. To this one, I will definitely give it a try in stronger leaves-water ratio! But for now, tamtadada, "2006 Mengku Wild Arbor King Raw Pu-ehr tea cake go to finale!<br />
<br />
<u><i><b>Second Round!</b></i></u></div>
<div>
<i><u><br /></u></i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IWqtBQvTwmk/VO997XYGHjI/AAAAAAAAl_4/MxgyHugYISg/s1600/P2260032.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IWqtBQvTwmk/VO997XYGHjI/AAAAAAAAl_4/MxgyHugYISg/s1600/P2260032.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
<div>
<i><u><br /></u></i>
Teas in the second round are not so similar to each other. Also I have whole cake of 2005 Shuanjiang and Puehr.sk BingDao so I know them pretty well. The EOT DaXuaShan leaves are from 2006 but were pressed in to cakes in 2013. I know that is does not say much (ok, it actually says nothing) but here you can see leaves from the second round of my competition:</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QL3ilNO7bK0/VO9_z8TbvfI/AAAAAAAAmAs/JhZ8gE2c6BA/s1600/102OLYMP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QL3ilNO7bK0/VO9_z8TbvfI/AAAAAAAAmAs/JhZ8gE2c6BA/s1600/102OLYMP.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Like in first round, I like all three teas. 2005 from White2Tea is much more aged, it was definetely in wetter/hotter place for some time. It is less complicated, I like such teas for everyday drinking. distinct but not easy to go wrong. BingDao is again more striking than DaXuaShan. This BingDao is actually quite close to what I remembered from YS cake. But this time DaXueShan is very clean, and have very nice "fresh mountain water" effect in mouth. I love it, love its clean energy. Generally, these three teas are more appealing, maybe because they are not so similar to each other. But truth is that you would as me "you can have tong of one of them, which do you want" it would be much more difficult to choose. Please, tong of each!! But for now, tamtadadadada, 2006 BingDao Puehr.sk go to final match with the winner of the first round. <b><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>(dont say it anyone, but I really want to see if they are some similar as my notes says)</i></span></b></div>
<div>
<b><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i><br /></i></span></b></div>
<div>
<b><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i><br /></i></span></b></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-b24dadnpUQA/VO-AFaGkKLI/AAAAAAAAmA0/BBkvDzE-7S8/s1600/P2260084.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-b24dadnpUQA/VO-AFaGkKLI/AAAAAAAAmA0/BBkvDzE-7S8/s1600/P2260084.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">For second round, I moved inside....</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SZFwEOe6Wew/VO-AJV4-DGI/AAAAAAAAmA8/uHu76Yvrlsg/s1600/P2260086.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SZFwEOe6Wew/VO-AJV4-DGI/AAAAAAAAmA8/uHu76Yvrlsg/s1600/P2260086.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Testing these teas, I was also testing new Mirka's stove </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cQz9zgTcFDI/VO-APMYVndI/AAAAAAAAmBE/GkNXDIfoeT4/s1600/P2260087.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cQz9zgTcFDI/VO-APMYVndI/AAAAAAAAmBE/GkNXDIfoeT4/s1600/P2260087.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The difference in colors of this first brew is quite real. The top one is <span style="font-size: xx-small; text-align: start;">2005 Shuanjiang</span><span style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px;"> </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<b><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i><br /></i></span></b><u><b><i>
Final Round!</i></b></u><br />
<br />
<br />
I have to admit that when I put 3g of those teas next to each other, they are so similar that I almost lost the track which one is which. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zmuCX472UeY/VPBRK1Sz3UI/AAAAAAAAmB0/f7zEKAQox6k/s1600/P2270003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zmuCX472UeY/VPBRK1Sz3UI/AAAAAAAAmB0/f7zEKAQox6k/s1600/P2270003.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--Y2i8FUa1_w/VPBRG8Nq0gI/AAAAAAAAmBs/jEiPX6cfEfY/s1600/P2270002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--Y2i8FUa1_w/VPBRG8Nq0gI/AAAAAAAAmBs/jEiPX6cfEfY/s1600/P2270002.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
<div>
<br />
<br />
But first brew and all is clear. Taste is very close. BingDao is finer, "Wild King" more robust. This time I make it stronger with longer steepings. Now I understand the claim on YS site that these teas are sold as fake LBZ. Bitterness and power is there. BingDao from Pu-erh.sk is cleaner, finer tea. Wild King over-role in strength and taste-power. I like this but there is also something a bit harsh. I will probably go for a cake, just to see how this will go in few years.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YU0rR3tgPZk/VO-AQ0nsYWI/AAAAAAAAmBM/0PVSDIAq8CA/s1600/P2260089.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YU0rR3tgPZk/VO-AQ0nsYWI/AAAAAAAAmBM/0PVSDIAq8CA/s1600/P2260089.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
Being tea-drunk while writing these lines, tamtadadadadada, the BingDao is winner here. Smooth, easy for stomach, pleasant for throat but still mysterious and complicated enough to be called shallow. <br />
After today, I know a bit more about what Mengku tea means. But I also know that there are other shade of this region and I look forward to meet them in my cup. Anytime...</div>
<div>
<i><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></i></div>
<div>
<i><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></i></div>
<div>
<i><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></i></div>
<div>
<i><span style="font-size: large;">Thank you for reading!</span></i><br />
<div>
<br />
<br /></div>
</div>
Petr Novákhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11517473309667122386noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3866728811341428752.post-43872862984067214042015-01-25T02:04:00.000-08:002016-08-29T00:01:30.833-07:00Notes from Qiu Shan Tang 秋山堂<br />
<br />
When I was leaving for my first visit of Taiwan last spring, I promised myself to take many pictures, making notes and then share as much as possible here, for my curious readers. Yes, I took over thousand pictures. Yes, I put down some notes about my "pots and tea" experiences. Just that sharing part is missing. My good friend Daniel, who joined me on that trip, just posted some of his notes, memories and pictures on their blog. Thank you Dan! <br />
<br />
<br />
Enjoy the reading here: <a href="http://blog.darjeeling.cz/en/2015/01/14/a-tea-lesson-by-master-fang-lao-shi/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #990000;">Tea Lesson with Fang LaoShi</span></a><span style="color: #cc0000;">.</span><br />
<br />
<br />
I love that place and there are already some plans to go back, to meet friend over tea, to learn and go deeper. If you will find yourself in Taichung one day, you might want to make some space and stay there for a while. Be sure you are not in hurry, it is worth it.<br />
<br />
<br />
Here are few shots from my camera...<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uUHj9mkbsiI/VMS8776I0II/AAAAAAAAlwE/Q2Lc570oCdM/s1600/DSCN5279.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uUHj9mkbsiI/VMS8776I0II/AAAAAAAAlwE/Q2Lc570oCdM/s1600/DSCN5279.JPG" height="344" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7YB-vHxiEfM/VMS892jThUI/AAAAAAAAlwM/f67o8PAAgK8/s1600/DSCN5284.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7YB-vHxiEfM/VMS892jThUI/AAAAAAAAlwM/f67o8PAAgK8/s1600/DSCN5284.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pQ5COjTD0Mc/VMS7OninAwI/AAAAAAAAlvA/4-FM8pGLzto/s1600/DSCN5288.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pQ5COjTD0Mc/VMS7OninAwI/AAAAAAAAlvA/4-FM8pGLzto/s1600/DSCN5288.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cpqbuJ8-5AM/VMS7oYLH-TI/AAAAAAAAlvw/TXsEk8W6atc/s1600/DSCN5308.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cpqbuJ8-5AM/VMS7oYLH-TI/AAAAAAAAlvw/TXsEk8W6atc/s1600/DSCN5308.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JPiv7DFFMV8/VMS7kvQn6DI/AAAAAAAAlvo/NvsmQ3TBYtQ/s1600/DSCN5306.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JPiv7DFFMV8/VMS7kvQn6DI/AAAAAAAAlvo/NvsmQ3TBYtQ/s1600/DSCN5306.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5qTmwsxwgyA/VMS7fSG82tI/AAAAAAAAlvg/LV3d81Vo6DM/s1600/DSCN5298.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5qTmwsxwgyA/VMS7fSG82tI/AAAAAAAAlvg/LV3d81Vo6DM/s1600/DSCN5298.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Gthqm4E0_Ak/VMS7VXuv_4I/AAAAAAAAlvI/UMqdElCAdGw/s1600/DSCN5292.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Gthqm4E0_Ak/VMS7VXuv_4I/AAAAAAAAlvI/UMqdElCAdGw/s1600/DSCN5292.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-J1cGZYIhM8U/VMS7c3TGksI/AAAAAAAAlvY/tgxshhAjWIU/s1600/DSCN5297.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-J1cGZYIhM8U/VMS7c3TGksI/AAAAAAAAlvY/tgxshhAjWIU/s1600/DSCN5297.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--4Has4aIbYs/VMS7aNctV9I/AAAAAAAAlvQ/e0hJWz_YcDA/s1600/DSCN5295.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--4Has4aIbYs/VMS7aNctV9I/AAAAAAAAlvQ/e0hJWz_YcDA/s1600/DSCN5295.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bowl tea after...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>Thank you for reading!</i></span>Petr Novákhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11517473309667122386noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3866728811341428752.post-48947832869681629282015-01-14T04:47:00.002-08:002016-08-29T00:01:30.845-07:00Gems number twenty four, twenty five, twenty six...<br />
Dear readers, followers, friends, it have been a while. We are in the middle of winter, snow was here, now is gone. But clouds are still full a water and cold is going to be back soon. Few friends recently asked me if I am closing my "Ten Gems Of Ten Kilns" project. No! I am still putting aside some interesting pieces from our firings. And there is so many things going on, with many "pots and tea stories". This blog is slow but not dead. My tea and tea ware path has grown deeper during the past year. And it keeps growing...<br />
<br />
What I am going to present here today is piece of memory for me. Chawan from hot summer days kiln, Autumnal but still warming teapot and winter teapot, which was fired in last firing of the year. Maybe even from pictures here you can feel how seasons were changing...<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Rgu9IbJtwX4/VLZEVmryS3I/AAAAAAAAlZo/X9ErQhBs5xs/s1600/P1060002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Rgu9IbJtwX4/VLZEVmryS3I/AAAAAAAAlZo/X9ErQhBs5xs/s1600/P1060002.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our garden during last firing...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i>I like when pots call out our imagination, telling mysterious stories. Storytellers who starts to talk, when you hold them in your hands. For my Gem Collection, I always try to select pieces from this category. I also believe that those are going to age well, becoming part of your live. When you make a connection with such pots, by using them for teas you like and sharing that tea with your loved ones, your live is getting richer. It is not about clinging on "stuff". It is about living here and now. Tea creates intimate moments in our daily live and pots become comrades who are with us there.</i></blockquote>
<br />
<b><i>The chawan</i></b> was painted with white kaolin clay, then covered in crust of ice crackle glaze. Its "ice over a landscape" feeling is one of the reasons why it was chosen as The Gem of summer kiln. Another reason is the white paint and how it is going out of the glaze, letting us to dream, to picture there "our things"<br />
<br />
<b><i>The teapot</i></b> is even more fogged up. Its spruce forest near peat bog pool. Maybe I am getting too dreamy and wistful thanks to misty rain behind our windows. But if you would hold that pot in your hands you would know what I am talking about. It is not just about the green-khaki color, but as well about the velvet touch of the glaze and its "soft" shape.<br />
<br />
<b><i>The small winter teapot</i></b> is from drawer you already know. We can call is "Bizenish" and I like this style more and more. Simple colors created by heavy reduction of charcoal, on high iron clay. We use several clays for this firing technique and for this teapot I used the most red and the finest clay we have. It is very subtle. There is not much to say, it is better use it...<br />
<br />
Before taking look at new gems, say goodbye to gems number fourteen and fifteen. The small Cockerel is already in Shanghai, the Charm and The End of The Winter teapots are going to be on the road soon. I know that all three customers love tea. Those pots are in good hands.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-W80kGbubX5k/UOhS-HPxM8I/AAAAAAAATy4/2GcPU23tKmY/s1600/DSCN7606.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-W80kGbubX5k/UOhS-HPxM8I/AAAAAAAATy4/2GcPU23tKmY/s1600/DSCN7606.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZokVIAsQhvc/URU9fgpfVvI/AAAAAAAASRc/cUqkiD2UZF8/s1600/DSCN8816.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZokVIAsQhvc/URU9fgpfVvI/AAAAAAAASRc/cUqkiD2UZF8/s1600/DSCN8816.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-R8l5aDxuUlM/UWLjqp4W6OI/AAAAAAAAT2c/K_cFlo9PfuA/s1600/DSCN9442.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-R8l5aDxuUlM/UWLjqp4W6OI/AAAAAAAAT2c/K_cFlo9PfuA/s1600/DSCN9442.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
For more pictures of the new pieces<a href="http://potsandtea.blogspot.cz/p/ten-gems_14.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #990000;"> please visit this page.</span></a> If the Ten Gems of The Ten Kilns project is new for you, then please read<a href="http://potsandtea.blogspot.cz/2012/03/first-two-gems.html" target="_blank"> <span style="color: #cc0000;">this post first.</span></a><br />
<br />
<u>Gem number twenty four- The Summer Ice</u><br />
<u><br /></u>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-h1xU3ZsBrsc/VLZE026A91I/AAAAAAAAlZk/wnHGXoBIv8Y/s1600/DSCN8113.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-h1xU3ZsBrsc/VLZE026A91I/AAAAAAAAlZk/wnHGXoBIv8Y/s1600/DSCN8113.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bPfsabjp1T4/VLZE4L8uCBI/AAAAAAAAlZk/Y4P7DtsQEyg/s1600/DSCN8115.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bPfsabjp1T4/VLZE4L8uCBI/AAAAAAAAlZk/Y4P7DtsQEyg/s1600/DSCN8115.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qDbCxLTnhgQ/VLZE6SqjZrI/AAAAAAAAlZk/0ZbYqdeineQ/s1600/DSCN8117.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qDbCxLTnhgQ/VLZE6SqjZrI/AAAAAAAAlZk/0ZbYqdeineQ/s1600/DSCN8117.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<u><br /></u>
<u><br /></u>
<u>Gem number twenty four- The Froggy Haze</u><br />
<u><br /></u>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-L4HZiunzyQ8/VLZTXfafZGI/AAAAAAAAlZk/Vwk-28KKHro/s1600/P1140001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-L4HZiunzyQ8/VLZTXfafZGI/AAAAAAAAlZk/Vwk-28KKHro/s1600/P1140001.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HNNqXbRJk1o/VLZTZLgEsnI/AAAAAAAAlZk/R0cM-Mrjc1o/s1600/P1140003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HNNqXbRJk1o/VLZTZLgEsnI/AAAAAAAAlZk/R0cM-Mrjc1o/s1600/P1140003.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zyR73E-8jSM/VLZTayG1R1I/AAAAAAAAlZk/Z3b5HbRXGfQ/s1600/P1140006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zyR73E-8jSM/VLZTayG1R1I/AAAAAAAAlZk/Z3b5HbRXGfQ/s1600/P1140006.JPG" height="267" width="400" /></a></div>
<u><br /></u>
<u>Gem number twenty six- The Crescent shine</u><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-60PzhUDZxDs/VLZTcJuw6FI/AAAAAAAAlZk/OaQ2srvimQA/s1600/P1140008.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-60PzhUDZxDs/VLZTcJuw6FI/AAAAAAAAlZk/OaQ2srvimQA/s1600/P1140008.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qJf0nhWkb6A/VLZTcxBmv5I/AAAAAAAAlZk/aBIWSd8Owtc/s1600/P1140009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qJf0nhWkb6A/VLZTcxBmv5I/AAAAAAAAlZk/aBIWSd8Owtc/s1600/P1140009.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-w20VuXX1lUI/VLZTgp6KClI/AAAAAAAAlZk/oHKVBL6iFsU/s1600/P1140011.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-w20VuXX1lUI/VLZTgp6KClI/AAAAAAAAlZk/oHKVBL6iFsU/s1600/P1140011.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HFrNMAMxoUA/VLZjNYgal8I/AAAAAAAAlac/wU3hEW-TW8M/s1600/P1140009%2B(2).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HFrNMAMxoUA/VLZjNYgal8I/AAAAAAAAlac/wU3hEW-TW8M/s1600/P1140009%2B%282%29.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bNKRSgt1jIo/VLZjP8l7LHI/AAAAAAAAlac/pIq_BmtklzE/s1600/P1140013%2B(2).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bNKRSgt1jIo/VLZjP8l7LHI/AAAAAAAAlac/pIq_BmtklzE/s1600/P1140013%2B%282%29.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BYYumgIdSsA/VLZjPJ0rXZI/AAAAAAAAlac/AJKEDbRW9wI/s1600/P1140011%2B(2).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BYYumgIdSsA/VLZjPJ0rXZI/AAAAAAAAlac/AJKEDbRW9wI/s1600/P1140011%2B%282%29.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<u><br /></u>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; font-weight: bold; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1FotqF-kMaY/VLZEfwSfEFI/AAAAAAAAlZo/tZi1IxxTIY0/s1600/P1060008.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1FotqF-kMaY/VLZEfwSfEFI/AAAAAAAAlZo/tZi1IxxTIY0/s1600/P1060008.JPG" height="640" width="424" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Winter bamboo...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<u></u><br />
<u></u>
<i><span style="font-size: large;">Thank you for reading</span></i><u><br /></u>
<u><br /></u>
<br />
<br />Petr Novákhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11517473309667122386noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3866728811341428752.post-69346196714027347002014-09-24T02:05:00.000-07:002016-08-29T00:01:30.855-07:00Sun Moon Lake Teapots<br />
<br />
I have spend this year April on Taiwan, you know, pots and tea. It was amazing time and to call it rich and joyful month would be understatement. It was inspirational on so many levels and it is still live. To give you a glance into it, here is one story...<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tNoQWo4JkT4/VCJ953PLDFI/AAAAAAAAixQ/bgi4sUG6FG0/s1600/DSCN5475.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tNoQWo4JkT4/VCJ953PLDFI/AAAAAAAAixQ/bgi4sUG6FG0/s1600/DSCN5475.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Lake from Tea research institut, where new clones and tea varietals are developing for decades now...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Sun Moon Lake...for many years it was a symbol of Taiwanese hong cha for me. Red tea, which I love for its unique flavor and energy and which often came to me labeled "tea from Sun Moon Lake area". I did know much about this terior or what to exactly imagine under this name. But when I bought my air ticket to Formosa, the 日月潭 was already on my have-to-see list. If you give a quick search on<span style="color: #990000;"> <a href="https://www.google.cz/search?q=sun+moon+lake&es_sm=122&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ei=-K4hVO2YEIjhywPT2IGQAg&ved=0CAgQ_AUoAQ&biw=1440&bih=775"><span style="color: #990000;">google images</span></a></span>, you will see wonderful lake with mountains around, hotels and tourists but not tea fields. Well, there is a lot to see (and taste) for tea enthusiastic around that place when one drive up from Nantou. But tea finally was not the most precious thing, which I was carrying from that place this time. Nor teapot from local artist. Just ball of wet, yellow, greasy (and bit smelly) clay.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AlQIGh2Cuyc/VCHCs9TYB3I/AAAAAAAAisA/-rp48hMLxbY/s1600/unnamed%2B(2).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AlQIGh2Cuyc/VCHCs9TYB3I/AAAAAAAAisA/-rp48hMLxbY/s1600/unnamed%2B%282%29.jpg" height="201" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i><b>note: for those who would like to read more about background of Taiwanese hong cha I would like to recomment this post on <a href="http://www.taiwanteacrafts.com/2012/12/14/the-tea-in-the-shadow-of-the-black-dragon/#sthash.I1BZkNrZ.dpbs" target="_blank"><span style="color: #990000;">Taiwan Tea Craft blog</span></a></b></i></span><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
How it all have happened? It is so simple. Take three open minded/open hearted friends traveling together for days, combine those with a lot of tea and magical experiences around Sun Moon Lake, and you can bet that one of them is going to suggest swiming. It tooks us a while to find the right spot where "people will be not too many and jungle not too tight". But we did it and with a lot of laughter we were baptized (and refreshed) in Zintun (as Taiwanesse originally call it)<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3smUbeXbHPM/VCHFBOhqu3I/AAAAAAAAisM/d4oEJYoztSg/s1600/unnamed%2B(1).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3smUbeXbHPM/VCHFBOhqu3I/AAAAAAAAisM/d4oEJYoztSg/s1600/unnamed%2B%281%29.jpg" height="70" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
One of my friends then just reach the bed of the lake (ok, on the edge of bank and water). With words "Petr, this looks like something for you", he give me a small piece of Formosa island. At first touch I knew: I am going to take it with me, I am going to give it a try in fire. It can be slip glaze, it can be body for some small cups, we will see...<br />
<br />
<br />
After some intermezzos the clay finally land on my work table, in our studio. <i><span style="color: #0c343d;">As intermezzo you can, for example, imagine me, carrying 900g of clay in my jacket, during 7 hours night break on Dubai airport as all my luggage were overweight. Real fun!!...</span></i> I play with it for a while, thinking what to do with it and how to do it. The clay was very nice, plastic and quite clean (when we consider that it was grabbed from bank of a lake). So I decided to leave it as natural as possible. I just took of some bigger stones, some sharp, smaller ones and few chips of old wood, which I found in it.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Rc0YzzPdT7s/VCJ3CortlII/AAAAAAAAitU/HUaz_Trb0aU/s1600/DSCN7535.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Rc0YzzPdT7s/VCJ3CortlII/AAAAAAAAitU/HUaz_Trb0aU/s1600/DSCN7535.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
First, I make just test cones and put them in to our wood kiln. Such cones, laid out around kiln, can tell us a lot about any new clay. Color, texture but the main thing: How it stands in reduction firing and temperatures.<br />
<br />
After this first firing I was pretty sure: It is on the the edge, but there is big chance that this clay will survive in coldest part of our kiln.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
So final decision was not to make slip glaze, not bother with small cups. But directly take a chances and make some teapots from that mud! Well, we were three friends on that swimming spot. And as part of this trip, I still had Philip Brook from TaiwansesTeaCraft in my mind, we were happy to meet that day too (he was responsible for the tea in our veins and for much more of the good stuff along the road). <b>So let's make four teapots from bottom of Sun Moon Lake!</b><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3lYV4hgD0gE/VCJ3JWyJO3I/AAAAAAAAito/CzPFYMYx3Vk/s1600/DSCN7544.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3lYV4hgD0gE/VCJ3JWyJO3I/AAAAAAAAito/CzPFYMYx3Vk/s1600/DSCN7544.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RxnTTbOhkW4/VCJ3RZyqskI/AAAAAAAAitw/UgGYQmfWHrc/s1600/DSCN7545.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RxnTTbOhkW4/VCJ3RZyqskI/AAAAAAAAitw/UgGYQmfWHrc/s1600/DSCN7545.JPG" height="231" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-38Cxe0YiEHk/VCJ3kYZ9KEI/AAAAAAAAit4/ERewWXtRWWQ/s1600/DSCN7557.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-38Cxe0YiEHk/VCJ3kYZ9KEI/AAAAAAAAit4/ERewWXtRWWQ/s1600/DSCN7557.JPG" height="228" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oORNTWlZ9Ws/VCJ3qWyvP2I/AAAAAAAAiuA/1a82ZWvuv3E/s1600/DSCN7561.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oORNTWlZ9Ws/VCJ3qWyvP2I/AAAAAAAAiuA/1a82ZWvuv3E/s1600/DSCN7561.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-o1cAaWb3y9s/VCJ3-FwTv2I/AAAAAAAAiuU/WmXTVt6Dt60/s1600/DSCN7563.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-o1cAaWb3y9s/VCJ3-FwTv2I/AAAAAAAAiuU/WmXTVt6Dt60/s1600/DSCN7563.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zx-SCQKxi5o/VCJ4Lg8WMII/AAAAAAAAiuc/7tkNrBci7v0/s1600/DSCN7577.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zx-SCQKxi5o/VCJ4Lg8WMII/AAAAAAAAiuc/7tkNrBci7v0/s1600/DSCN7577.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CRlxoVP9bbY/VCJ4RcaxzZI/AAAAAAAAiuk/mj-5bkcpsRg/s1600/DSCN7580.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CRlxoVP9bbY/VCJ4RcaxzZI/AAAAAAAAiuk/mj-5bkcpsRg/s1600/DSCN7580.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
What to say more? All important you can see on pictures. The clay was very nice to work with and final teapots are very interesting. Color and texture of the body, "the feeling" is incredible. Because I did not cleaned that clay, there were still some small stones, which on one hand give something special to those small pots. On other hand those stones were my obstacles during throwing and finishing. Pot could be finer without them, losing the rural touch. Either way, these are really unique tea pots. Some Sun Moon Lake hong cha is on its way to my doors. Guess which teapot I am going to brew that tea in.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-A5DrAAt6Mv0/VCJ4TUUSMRI/AAAAAAAAius/UBFLps-3Um0/s1600/DSCN7586.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-A5DrAAt6Mv0/VCJ4TUUSMRI/AAAAAAAAius/UBFLps-3Um0/s1600/DSCN7586.JPG" height="400" width="395" /></a></div>
<br />
<div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-AVMgLo-JjP4/VCJ4akvzECI/AAAAAAAAiu4/hBbi-ztG_-k/s1600/DSCN7591.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-AVMgLo-JjP4/VCJ4akvzECI/AAAAAAAAiu4/hBbi-ztG_-k/s1600/DSCN7591.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wqAv6nC8aCI/VCJ4pzNvtXI/AAAAAAAAivA/SHGmf0Rp-a8/s1600/DSCN7598.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wqAv6nC8aCI/VCJ4pzNvtXI/AAAAAAAAivA/SHGmf0Rp-a8/s1600/DSCN7598.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_Uto3JGOPbY/VCJ4wu_QtTI/AAAAAAAAivI/0VmQ7nYjT1c/s1600/DSCN7608.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_Uto3JGOPbY/VCJ4wu_QtTI/AAAAAAAAivI/0VmQ7nYjT1c/s1600/DSCN7608.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bisque fired...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RB9G1XA9f_c/VCJ4-EcbEVI/AAAAAAAAivQ/khpB7t14ldU/s1600/DSCN7643.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RB9G1XA9f_c/VCJ4-EcbEVI/AAAAAAAAivQ/khpB7t14ldU/s1600/DSCN7643.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">In the kiln...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-r0bG1j8VCSw/VCJ5JeAL4tI/AAAAAAAAivY/oTFxYOJIKD8/s1600/DSCN7646.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-r0bG1j8VCSw/VCJ5JeAL4tI/AAAAAAAAivY/oTFxYOJIKD8/s1600/DSCN7646.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">...with others, before firing.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BetdWPYeprw/VCJ5O-wj2UI/AAAAAAAAivg/753WBMbgjbM/s1600/DSCN7686.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BetdWPYeprw/VCJ5O-wj2UI/AAAAAAAAivg/753WBMbgjbM/s1600/DSCN7686.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">First peep in to the kiln...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rFHE4NhAgVU/VCJ5S8vVcdI/AAAAAAAAivo/-ubZsHYI2LQ/s1600/DSCN7688.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rFHE4NhAgVU/VCJ5S8vVcdI/AAAAAAAAivo/-ubZsHYI2LQ/s1600/DSCN7688.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lsaSB3y6Xno/VCJ5WL2xVSI/AAAAAAAAivw/VunvJJgqVto/s1600/DSCN7691.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lsaSB3y6Xno/VCJ5WL2xVSI/AAAAAAAAivw/VunvJJgqVto/s1600/DSCN7691.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-j62XsGrAeVw/VCJ5syr7b4I/AAAAAAAAiv4/-UzHPK9xKQA/s1600/DSCN7693.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-j62XsGrAeVw/VCJ5syr7b4I/AAAAAAAAiv4/-UzHPK9xKQA/s1600/DSCN7693.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-68oSs9bTRNk/VCJ5wK1ejdI/AAAAAAAAiwA/ZgDrOsXf0rQ/s1600/DSCN7695.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-68oSs9bTRNk/VCJ5wK1ejdI/AAAAAAAAiwA/ZgDrOsXf0rQ/s1600/DSCN7695.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HYy8mUEKLGE/VCJ54rP_7OI/AAAAAAAAiwI/e5GiJP9AV6U/s1600/DSCN7697.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HYy8mUEKLGE/VCJ54rP_7OI/AAAAAAAAiwI/e5GiJP9AV6U/s1600/DSCN7697.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iPhHL7-CuTk/VCJ58oZkrUI/AAAAAAAAiwQ/ltUBxgoiSdY/s1600/DSCN7700.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iPhHL7-CuTk/VCJ58oZkrUI/AAAAAAAAiwQ/ltUBxgoiSdY/s1600/DSCN7700.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AX8YGZYQ0O4/VCJ6CZ3RvuI/AAAAAAAAiwY/3gXt5yumBxs/s1600/DSCN7703.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AX8YGZYQ0O4/VCJ6CZ3RvuI/AAAAAAAAiwY/3gXt5yumBxs/s1600/DSCN7703.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cyd-QYVD-TE/VCJ6EkjWGZI/AAAAAAAAiwg/TLR3V6cpVuU/s1600/DSCN7704.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cyd-QYVD-TE/VCJ6EkjWGZI/AAAAAAAAiwg/TLR3V6cpVuU/s1600/DSCN7704.JPG" height="400" width="396" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Friendly tea chatting...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cRAL3f6DKls/VCJ6LdoNV3I/AAAAAAAAiwo/N7t_RyRpX-s/s1600/DSCN7769.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cRAL3f6DKls/VCJ6LdoNV3I/AAAAAAAAiwo/N7t_RyRpX-s/s1600/DSCN7769.JPG" height="400" width="396" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">First water, first leaves...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-T0ZWw8Zen_8/VCJ6Q51KnKI/AAAAAAAAiww/LY8k3DfrBy0/s1600/DSCN7839.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-T0ZWw8Zen_8/VCJ6Q51KnKI/AAAAAAAAiww/LY8k3DfrBy0/s1600/DSCN7839.JPG" height="396" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jHnW1XsK2Zw/VCJ6vMAWgNI/AAAAAAAAiw4/F8dTrFDWCTo/s1600/DSCN7842.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jHnW1XsK2Zw/VCJ6vMAWgNI/AAAAAAAAiw4/F8dTrFDWCTo/s1600/DSCN7842.JPG" height="449" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sun Moon Lake in the middle of Europe...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>Thank you for reading!</i></span><br />
</div>
</div>
Petr Novákhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11517473309667122386noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3866728811341428752.post-26990306858576661752014-09-09T12:35:00.000-07:002016-08-29T00:01:30.817-07:00Wake up, wake up, wake up!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />This is wake up call. It is not addressed to you dears, but this blog was asleep for far too long. And what can be better for waking up then few cups of upright, good sheng!<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mQe5Qtr4cz0/VA9KsfthczI/AAAAAAAAieE/1qL0e7OzDcc/s1600/DSCN7625.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mQe5Qtr4cz0/VA9KsfthczI/AAAAAAAAieE/1qL0e7OzDcc/s1600/DSCN7625.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Autumn is here...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
I would like to share with you the newest addition to my pu-collection, tea which I am particularly happy about. It is 1 kg of tea leaves pressed to impressive brick. Yes, 1 kg brick. One thousand grams means also at least one hundred and fifty tea sessions together. 150 tea sessions in front of us! Lets start.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BLKlT82FSlI/VA9KSk01fUI/AAAAAAAAidk/eayVl0tFsu4/s1600/DSCN7609.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BLKlT82FSlI/VA9KSk01fUI/AAAAAAAAidk/eayVl0tFsu4/s1600/DSCN7609.JPG" height="400" width="343" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Brick by brick, 1000g of tea next to 100g of tea</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5MKl16thNPg/VA9KZPQTvqI/AAAAAAAAids/Ll5RDht-NPE/s1600/DSCN7611.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5MKl16thNPg/VA9KZPQTvqI/AAAAAAAAids/Ll5RDht-NPE/s1600/DSCN7611.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Silent Mountain or White Whale, ambient or jazzy, I take them both. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />At first, good friend Tomaš gave me a piece of this brick with his personal label "The Silent Mountain". He added "You might like this. It is from Mengku area and if this is not from wild threes then I do not what is" He was right, I like it. I have to actually admit, it was love at first sip. Pressed in 2006 it is far to be mature, but already far to be called young. Even some time lived in humid Guangzhou does not left much in it, it is clean and bright. When Tomaš told me that he have few of those bricks left for sale, I did not think twice. Now, it is heaviest brick in my tea cabinet.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-44sgQQC1dl8/VA9KcFhSrmI/AAAAAAAAid0/SK-4lHCWJ_s/s1600/DSCN7613.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-44sgQQC1dl8/VA9KcFhSrmI/AAAAAAAAid0/SK-4lHCWJ_s/s1600/DSCN7613.JPG" height="400" width="396" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />What to say, what is so special about it for me. It is both light and heavy. In some aspects sweat like some heichas are, but with undisguised power of old yunnan trees. At first, you would not say that it is "punchy" sheng. But with every cup, its vibrant energy is more and more obvious. It is slowly spreading from throat to the whole body, stopping in palms which starts to sweat. Flying mind slowly ease off, becoming quiet. Beautiful.<br /><br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YirQJEESSW8/VA9Kxf4SzMI/AAAAAAAAieM/-L4sE050pkg/s1600/DSCN7628.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YirQJEESSW8/VA9Kxf4SzMI/AAAAAAAAieM/-L4sE050pkg/s1600/DSCN7628.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a><br /><br /><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0G0nt5Pn3Iw/VA9K5aHuzFI/AAAAAAAAieU/bGfS-CPbFBQ/s1600/DSCN7630.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0G0nt5Pn3Iw/VA9K5aHuzFI/AAAAAAAAieU/bGfS-CPbFBQ/s1600/DSCN7630.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of the firsts infusions. Is it just me or it looks silky even on picture?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />It is different from most of puehr cha I know. The difference which is obvious on your tongue but how to describe it? I can give a try: Most of puehr cha (of similar age/area) I know can be in taste and fragrance describe as "apricots with flowers around" And this is, well, more like "molasses with blackcurrant fragrance" Ye, it is <strike>a bit</strike> really clumsy description. I have had just few teas with this character. From what is online on the market I know just about two teas like this. This strapping brick- about availability and price you have to <a href="http://meetea.cz/kontakt">ask Tomaš</a> (his page is still just in Czech but feel free to ask there). Second tea, which I had sample some months ago, is this cake <a href="https://www.essenceoftea.com/tea/puerh-tea/2009-wuliang-wild-puerh-tea-pressed-2013.html">from EoT</a>. This cake is rather costly but try at least a sample, it is absolutely beautiful. I will have to order at least sample of it too, I would like to see those two teas next to each other.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CLH9vRs_ZvE/VA9KmYsM_lI/AAAAAAAAid8/lIHhDu0iNPg/s1600/DSCN7617.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CLH9vRs_ZvE/VA9KmYsM_lI/AAAAAAAAid8/lIHhDu0iNPg/s1600/DSCN7617.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I love this new Mirka's brazier, which I "have to" test. Simple, quiet and working well. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /><br />I hope, we successfully woke this blog up, I look forward to the rest of those one-hundred-and-fifty tea moments with this tea. And I belive that there will be a chance to share it at live with some you,<br />
<br />
Now small lure for the next time:<br />
<br />
Four teapots made from clay which I brought from Sun Moon Lake, back with my from my Taiwan travels. They are going to meet fire this weekend. <b>Exiting</b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;">. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tmU1m5mSdec/VA9LsWACNDI/AAAAAAAAiec/3zqh0K7L-go/s1600/DSCN7535.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tmU1m5mSdec/VA9LsWACNDI/AAAAAAAAiec/3zqh0K7L-go/s1600/DSCN7535.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EpVXaJZEI_U/VA9L1cvVM2I/AAAAAAAAiek/xJeMw4XID64/s1600/DSCN7545.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EpVXaJZEI_U/VA9L1cvVM2I/AAAAAAAAiek/xJeMw4XID64/s1600/DSCN7545.JPG" height="231" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XwMy9D-yb74/VA9Jw1Qe4FI/AAAAAAAAidc/G-KDa8UCKCs/s1600/DSCN7608.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XwMy9D-yb74/VA9Jw1Qe4FI/AAAAAAAAidc/G-KDa8UCKCs/s1600/DSCN7608.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span>
<br />
<i style="font-size: x-large;">Thank you for reading!</i><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Petr Novákhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11517473309667122386noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3866728811341428752.post-8138563868256223452014-07-11T06:36:00.001-07:002016-08-29T00:01:30.861-07:00Stoves, Braziers for heating water<br />
Some of my more aged readers (or patient, or persistent ones) may recall my previous entries on this topic. In post cut in two, I was already sharing my premature experiences on this field, I was trying to encourage tea folks to go ahead, to experiment with charcoal and water. You can find those posts <a href="http://potsandtea.blogspot.cz/2012/11/heating-water-on-charcoal-part-one.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: red;">here (part I)</span></a> and<a href="http://potsandtea.blogspot.cz/2013/03/heating-water-on-charcoal-part-two.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: red;"> here (part II)</span></a>. After another year and half of playing with fire, I am not sure if I am really qualified to play a wise man here. Nevertheless, there are some new findings to point out. I arranged those in three chapters, stoves-kettles-charcoal, and I will be glad if you find there something interesting. I am not going to talk again here about how great it is, when you use charcoal fire for heating water for your tea. You already know it, right?<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xscBHYrQ-qA/U7_U1GDWocI/AAAAAAAAfa0/BqXRT2uvtms/s1600/8R1A5968.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xscBHYrQ-qA/U7_U1GDWocI/AAAAAAAAfa0/BqXRT2uvtms/s1600/8R1A5968.jpg" height="400" width="266" /></a></div>
<br />
<b><u>Stoves</u></b><br />
<br />
Well, here is something new what we can be proud of. And it is this:<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TRFf1-eAJvE/U7_VSGLQSBI/AAAAAAAAfbA/GKnLmj-VSq4/s1600/DSCN4719.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TRFf1-eAJvE/U7_VSGLQSBI/AAAAAAAAfbA/GKnLmj-VSq4/s1600/DSCN4719.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Iron cast basket, bottom up...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
What is it? Iron cast basket, which works as kind of grate in our ceramic stoves. Idea of this was born in Mirka's head after few cracked baskets in our stoves and many tests with different clays, shapes and designs. We wanted something, what would be easy to use even for beginners, without permanent worries, if the stove will survive another fire or not. Iron cast basket looked as a simple solution. How it is often in life, idea is one thing and reality another and it took us over a year to receive first pieces of iron cast to start with. After Mirka has made design of the basket, we search for iron cast company to make it for us. From thirty contacted just three were able to make the shape and details we asked for. And after some more discussion we start to cooperate with small iron cast factory and first prototype reach us last fall. I started to test it and I found out that there are changes, which have to be made. More holes, thinner walls, to lower the shape. Iron cast mold had to be rebuild...<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dw6TizJrtrE/U7_QtG3upyI/AAAAAAAAfZk/9ZwdIW8Zix8/s1600/Stove_02-003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dw6TizJrtrE/U7_QtG3upyI/AAAAAAAAfZk/9ZwdIW8Zix8/s1600/Stove_02-003.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-N2lcDJnPpDo/U7_UIBbolKI/AAAAAAAAfak/UL5kbRTA4Bc/s1600/DSCN6959.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-N2lcDJnPpDo/U7_UIBbolKI/AAAAAAAAfak/UL5kbRTA4Bc/s1600/DSCN6959.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Finally, after the New Year, Mirka was making first ceramic stoves with iron cast baskets. First, some testing pieces for me and our friends. Now it is growing, new shapes, clays, surfaces. Inspired by tea community, she is using her creativity to make functional stoves, which will be adornment of your tea session and yet, are not too distinct, screaming from behind your tea table.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mDCbFoCU0Ac/U7_RMdiwzLI/AAAAAAAAfZ0/ldSGcOMved0/s1600/DSCN6209.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mDCbFoCU0Ac/U7_RMdiwzLI/AAAAAAAAfZ0/ldSGcOMved0/s1600/DSCN6209.JPG" height="301" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ss2aVeqTLnU/U7_Q6U7GaKI/AAAAAAAAfZs/GtqB1vL3yX4/s1600/DSCN6834.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ss2aVeqTLnU/U7_Q6U7GaKI/AAAAAAAAfZs/GtqB1vL3yX4/s1600/DSCN6834.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-i-3uEXoZ5Lg/U7_SS18vXBI/AAAAAAAAfaM/vuJtKzKQWK4/s1600/DSCN4870.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-i-3uEXoZ5Lg/U7_SS18vXBI/AAAAAAAAfaM/vuJtKzKQWK4/s1600/DSCN4870.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Eventhought most rules of usage are the same as with whole ceramic ones, I still would like to mention them again:<br />
<br />
- as iron cast is thermal shock resistant, you can more freely start fire directly in the stove. Using wood chips, playing scoutboy, or using gas spray gun is not problem anymore. Just don't forget to use common sense. Starting fire indoors this way is for example not good idea. Also, if you use wood or charcoal from bone fire to light up charcoal inside such stove, you will need later on to clean holes in the basket from ash. Some kind of iron chopstick works here.<br />
<br />
-be aware, that iron cast keeps heat for very long time. It is good thing when you are boiling water, you will find that even hour after your tea session, it can be still hot. So don't leave it without supervision. Do not pour water over iron cast to cool it down, it might crack!<br />
<br />
-Mirka's stoves are suitable for all kind of kettles. Tetsubins, glass, silver or ceramic kettles, all will work on such stove. Just when the bottom of the kettle is really flat and wide, the heating of water can be slow. If you are not sure, let us know sizes of your kettle and we will check if it would work.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-por7tomLtAU/U7_RiJr1GHI/AAAAAAAAfZ8/oJvgmEcP-bM/s1600/DSCN6854.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-por7tomLtAU/U7_RiJr1GHI/AAAAAAAAfZ8/oJvgmEcP-bM/s1600/DSCN6854.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
<b><u><br /></u></b>
<b><u>Kettles</u></b><br />
<br />
There is no such revolution in kettles as there is in stoves. No miracle clay around, which would handle every fire, every wild treatment. It is ceramic and as such it have to be approached. All rules basically fall in the "using common sense" category and I don't want to scare you. But I think it is better to write them down. So basic rules are as follows:<br />
<br />
- My ceramic kettles are meant to be used on charcoal stoves. I am giving full guarantee for my ceramic kettles, if used over charcoal fire. If you use it on gas or electric stove then you are on your own. Sometime it works even on gas/electric but there are some bad experiences. Recently, I am using several kettles for my everyday tea on our electric stove (the one with glass on the top) with steel diffuser. It works, no more cracked kettles! But it is still too soon to tell with certainty so just please be aware, it is more risky.<br />
<br />
-Do not refill hot kettle with cold water. Especially when the kettle is empty, wait at least ten minutes. If you don't have two, three kettles to heat them after each other, then it is better to refill kettle when there is still about 1/3 of hot water<br />
<br />
-Do not let empty kettle on the stove. It will crack.<br />
<br />
-Do not forget the boiling kettle on hot stove. When it is full, it will slosh out, either on iron basket or ceramic stove. Both pieces are hot and can crack under thermal shock attack. If the kettle is almost empty, it can boil out and you already know what will happen to empty kettle on fire.<br />
<br />
-Find some soft, warm material to put your boiling kettle on. Do not put it directly from fire on cold, wet surface<br />
<br />
As you can see on pictures above and bellow, there are some new designs. Especially those top ceramic handles are very comfortable to use. When for smaller kettles, up to 750ml, I still make side handle kettles for bigger one I recommet top ceramic handle.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TFzYf5X1Dmg/U7_UhvjyXlI/AAAAAAAAfas/QT3HSBXqlLw/s1600/DSCN7192.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TFzYf5X1Dmg/U7_UhvjyXlI/AAAAAAAAfas/QT3HSBXqlLw/s1600/DSCN7192.JPG" height="400" width="296" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BXo7Eo7mF-8/U7_RuUHT4VI/AAAAAAAAfaE/E_pIFgm7Plw/s1600/DSCN4709.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BXo7Eo7mF-8/U7_RuUHT4VI/AAAAAAAAfaE/E_pIFgm7Plw/s1600/DSCN4709.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
<u><b>Charcoal</b></u><br />
<br />
<br />
I have tried many different charcoals over the years. Mainly focusing on how easy and comfortable each charcoal is. After visiting Taiwan and seeing and trying some charcoal there I am aware of big differences between charcoal there and here. Hardwood fareast charcoal is much more dense, last longer and burn with higher temperatures. But I still prefer to use local products, looking for the best ones, then to import it from far, far away.<br />
<br />
<br />
There is one rule, which I already said in my first post, but now I see it as crucial. More dry charcoal is better then not so dry. It sounds and it is logical. But it really can make big difference. Dry charcoal means less smoke/smell (or not at all), it is easier to light up and gives more heat.<br />
<br />
<br />
Also mentioned before: If you have time, wash your charcoal. It will give you also opportunity to sort it out. Especially if you use some cheaper, mixed charcoal, usually the bag will contain some, let say "unwanted" items. Three bark, dust and fragments, pieces, which too big, and very smoky un-carbonized pieces of wood. All that you can sort and clean, wash with shower. Then dry, dry, dry!!!<br />
<br />
If you have any stoves, kettles, charcoal related questions, feel free to ask in comment section bellow or via email.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-leEN2joYaVs/U7_UCYBSX1I/AAAAAAAAfac/DfJS4ztb3Uo/s1600/DSCN6989.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-leEN2joYaVs/U7_UCYBSX1I/AAAAAAAAfac/DfJS4ztb3Uo/s1600/DSCN6989.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
With burning charcoal around or without, enjoy every sip of your everyday live.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>Thank you for reading!</i></span><br />
<br />
<br />Petr Novákhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11517473309667122386noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3866728811341428752.post-17845979578719963212014-05-26T14:02:00.000-07:002016-08-29T00:01:30.805-07:00Gems twenty two and twenty three<br />
<br />As I have mentioned in my last post here, there are two new gems for my Gem Collection. The one piece is from end of February, second from March kiln. The kilns, which we have fired before my Taiwan trip. They were patiently waiting here for me and my camera. Actually, ceramic do not mind to wait. If it is good now, it should works even after years. Ceramic shards talk about ancient civilizations. Two months is nothing, right? But I feel, I need to apologize to you, my readers, and thank you for your patience.<br /><br />As you can see bellow, both new gems are light in both color and form. Maybe it was upcoming spring, calling for something more thin and shiny.<br /><br />The teapot is made of translucent porcelain. It is quite tricky to work with and much harder to fire. There are several teapots on our "pots cemetery" from this material. In high heat the porcelain is moving, warping, cracking, sticking to shelfs, glaze is running down. But when teapot like this Gem n.22 survive, I know why I am still using it. It is calling for high fragrant tea!<br /><br />The bowl with the saucer is born from imperfection. It is like gaiwan but lid is missing. There is a lot of cracking on the glaze. There are "fingerprints", unglazed spots from my fingers. But there is elegance, it is graceful. The saucer is lifting up the form in both figurative and literal sense.<br /><br />Before taking look at new gems, say goodbye to gems number twelve and thirteen. The small Cockerel is already in Shanghai, the Charm then will be on the road soon. I know that both customers love tea. Those pots are in good hands.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vjodeNqVbwE/UOhSzUuzUFI/AAAAAAAAQyE/ky-Z9G7gbw4/s1600/DSCN7602.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vjodeNqVbwE/UOhSzUuzUFI/AAAAAAAAQyE/ky-Z9G7gbw4/s1600/DSCN7602.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8WNXSg7XrUw/URU9iHsXd-I/AAAAAAAASw4/8UEVSp-oyMQ/s1600/DSCN8818.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8WNXSg7XrUw/URU9iHsXd-I/AAAAAAAASw4/8UEVSp-oyMQ/s1600/DSCN8818.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<i><b><span style="font-size: x-small;">Note: Yes, both new pieces are light in color and shiny. It means that to take live, real pictures is task from mission impossible category. For sure, if the photographer is un-trained me. Anyway, here we are...</span></b></i><br />
<br />For more pictures of those new pieces<a href="http://potsandtea.blogspot.cz/p/ten-gems_14.html"><span style="color: #990000;"> please visit this page</span></a>. If The Ten Gems of Ten Kilns project is new for you, then please read <a href="http://potsandtea.blogspot.cz/2012/03/first-two-gems.html"><span style="color: #cc0000;">this post first</span></a>.<br />
<br />
<b><u>Gem number twenty two: Clean Fragrance</u></b><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7QOMcFnzzpY/U4Nu6w2PPwI/AAAAAAAAd5E/vg883bLi234/s1600/DSCN6439.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7QOMcFnzzpY/U4Nu6w2PPwI/AAAAAAAAd5E/vg883bLi234/s1600/DSCN6439.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Lx-eqIoXtg0/U4NvQxBdGbI/AAAAAAAAd5E/CpcGKPh6hnM/s1600/DSCN6442.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Lx-eqIoXtg0/U4NvQxBdGbI/AAAAAAAAd5E/CpcGKPh6hnM/s1600/DSCN6442.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HkDp57je5XE/U4NvzLPBGGI/AAAAAAAAd5E/49JAb_ksvXs/s1600/DSCN6447.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HkDp57je5XE/U4NvzLPBGGI/AAAAAAAAd5E/49JAb_ksvXs/s1600/DSCN6447.JPG" height="400" width="296" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VQkIiF1_TKE/U4NwU5f3DyI/AAAAAAAAd5E/sUk5hiF3NCo/s1600/DSCN6454.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VQkIiF1_TKE/U4NwU5f3DyI/AAAAAAAAd5E/sUk5hiF3NCo/s1600/DSCN6454.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VBACJ1_h2_8/U4Nw4LSnPLI/AAAAAAAAd5E/xoqINa-ozHg/s1600/DSCN6459.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VBACJ1_h2_8/U4Nw4LSnPLI/AAAAAAAAd5E/xoqINa-ozHg/s1600/DSCN6459.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<b><u>Gem number twenty three: Touching The Moon</u></b><br />
<b><u><br /></u></b>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-h7OBn9K6BI4/U4Nt4X2kQ2I/AAAAAAAAd5E/dw2_vRbf1_Q/s1600/DSCN6429.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-h7OBn9K6BI4/U4Nt4X2kQ2I/AAAAAAAAd5E/dw2_vRbf1_Q/s1600/DSCN6429.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-d0jrkrcWyrM/U4NufNWWyMI/AAAAAAAAd5E/0d5Bkj-CUjc/s1600/DSCN6434.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-d0jrkrcWyrM/U4NufNWWyMI/AAAAAAAAd5E/0d5Bkj-CUjc/s1600/DSCN6434.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NyONGLAicjU/U4NuE8IA15I/AAAAAAAAd5E/BsEOJpE1Dgs/s1600/DSCN6431.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NyONGLAicjU/U4NuE8IA15I/AAAAAAAAd5E/BsEOJpE1Dgs/s1600/DSCN6431.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BPn3q1aFxL4/U4NusbDFrPI/AAAAAAAAd5E/qUu-jm3yWcI/s1600/DSCN6436.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BPn3q1aFxL4/U4NusbDFrPI/AAAAAAAAd5E/qUu-jm3yWcI/s1600/DSCN6436.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MG_A5LtoT4E/U4NwwYsrUuI/AAAAAAAAd5E/jlDj-nzxgZo/s1600/DSCN6458.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MG_A5LtoT4E/U4NwwYsrUuI/AAAAAAAAd5E/jlDj-nzxgZo/s1600/DSCN6458.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<b><u><br /></u></b>
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>Thank you for the reading!</i></span>Petr Novákhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11517473309667122386noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3866728811341428752.post-26369945805167398342014-05-08T03:37:00.000-07:002016-08-29T00:01:30.813-07:00Back in Clay<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-u3iOHouco4U/U2tPpSxiCTI/AAAAAAAAdx0/Hg8157PLVLw/s1600/DSCN6173.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-u3iOHouco4U/U2tPpSxiCTI/AAAAAAAAdx0/Hg8157PLVLw/s1600/DSCN6173.JPG" height="320" width="302" /></a></div>
Hello everyone! It have been a while...I am back from The Taiwan trip for a bit more then week now. All experiences are still alive in my veins, but my fingernails are already clay dirty. Tonight, we close and switch on our bisque kiln. We are going to fire our woodkiln next week. The best from that firing is going to be with us "on show" in tearoom in Wroclaw, Poland, next weekend. And I would like to write here about all of it, at least a bit. But step by step...<br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><b>-I</b></span> still have two gems to photograph and share. Two pieces from two "before Taiwan" kilns for my<span style="color: #990000;"> <a href="http://potsandtea.blogspot.cz/2012/03/first-two-gems.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #990000;">gem collection</span></a>.</span> I hope to post it here in a week.<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><b>-There</b></span> is also selection of "the best of" pieces for <a href="http://potsandtea.blogspot.cz/p/pots-and-tea-club.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #cc0000;">potsandtea club</span></a>. I am going to take pictures and share them with members of the club in few days. Many of you are interested in being in, unfortunatelly the blogger does not work as smoothly as I thought it will be. And many of you have a trouble to open that page. I have a solution and it will change with the new post.<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><b>-Then</b></span>, there are some notes and pictures from the Taiwan roads, which I would like to put it together in some kind of article or two during upcoming weeks. From refined Wistaria teahouse to Tea Sage Hut light. From fragrant cups in Taroko gorge to sweetness of tea brews in Shan Lin Shi bamboo forest. And potters, we can not forget potters out there! And people. New friendships are most precious treasures we bring from our travels. <div>
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Q0H6EUFaEyk/U2tI44zRtjI/AAAAAAAAdw4/hSOnfOOJm0M/s1600/DSCN5503.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Q0H6EUFaEyk/U2tI44zRtjI/AAAAAAAAdw4/hSOnfOOJm0M/s1600/DSCN5503.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Leaves for Sun Moon Lake hong cha are tasty...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6tsbymRF7O4/U2tLEe9OS4I/AAAAAAAAdxM/lc_efrVHQPg/s1600/DSCN5748.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6tsbymRF7O4/U2tLEe9OS4I/AAAAAAAAdxM/lc_efrVHQPg/s1600/DSCN5748.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Organic tea bushes in Pinlin area...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5f3R0y_endE/U2tL8qP2teI/AAAAAAAAdxc/632m-PMJSC0/s1600/DSCN5716.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5f3R0y_endE/U2tL8qP2teI/AAAAAAAAdxc/632m-PMJSC0/s1600/DSCN5716.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Leaves for baozhong are resting, the pickers are just having lunch time...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Okf_99y32_E/U2tLQ0bqumI/AAAAAAAAdxU/qVhs6FU6txM/s1600/DSCN5730.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Okf_99y32_E/U2tLQ0bqumI/AAAAAAAAdxU/qVhs6FU6txM/s1600/DSCN5730.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Withering on public road of Pinlin</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_yymayJ5gkk/U2tJpMJPnFI/AAAAAAAAdxA/hR4Odi2lYV4/s1600/DSCN5703.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_yymayJ5gkk/U2tJpMJPnFI/AAAAAAAAdxA/hR4Odi2lYV4/s1600/DSCN5703.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bugs on tea leaves are good sign.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZQ5d6VI7n6M/U2tS3monrXI/AAAAAAAAdyM/ReSu91MqfuA/s1600/DSCN6009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZQ5d6VI7n6M/U2tS3monrXI/AAAAAAAAdyM/ReSu91MqfuA/s1600/DSCN6009.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kiln openning near Yingge...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>- We</b></span> have new ceramic stoves, braziers for heating tea water. With iron cast grate inside it is quite special. So yes, blog post about those is coming soon as well.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uGVSgtAzawU/U2tQ07knGLI/AAAAAAAAdx8/3NmMBFJkJ2c/s1600/DSCN4884.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uGVSgtAzawU/U2tQ07knGLI/AAAAAAAAdx8/3NmMBFJkJ2c/s1600/DSCN4884.JPG" height="400" width="293" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /><br /><b><span style="font-size: large;">-And</span></b> many other pots_and_tea related things to share. Teas I drink, cups I drink from. From Taiwan, I flew with Emirates airlines and they generously allow 30kg luggage + carry on. Well, I was almost 10 kg overweight. And believe me, there was not much of "not pots and tea" stuff.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-j_r4MG9U8GM/U2tZgI9hVUI/AAAAAAAAdyg/ld8k34NZd_A/s1600/DSCN5934.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-j_r4MG9U8GM/U2tZgI9hVUI/AAAAAAAAdyg/ld8k34NZd_A/s1600/DSCN5934.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /><br />Spring is always intense season, and probably not just here, in the middle of Europe. But this time, for me, there are many strong inspirational impulses. For both my work in clay and personal, everyday live. I feel gratitude. I do what I love to do. We can call it happiness. Thank you for being part of it.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div>
<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8ICsHbIoitw/U2tR9rJNjZI/AAAAAAAAdyE/4S-DxeE7kDc/s1600/DSCN6071.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8ICsHbIoitw/U2tR9rJNjZI/AAAAAAAAdyE/4S-DxeE7kDc/s1600/DSCN6071.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8MHyPx9KQdU/U2tNBlVEj9I/AAAAAAAAdxo/kYpV7vGDW8o/s1600/DSCN5806.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8MHyPx9KQdU/U2tNBlVEj9I/AAAAAAAAdxo/kYpV7vGDW8o/s1600/DSCN5806.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-F6D2ZuGEOZ4/UzbtG_zCGpI/AAAAAAAAcqM/aVuCsqOWOjU/s1600/DSCN4623.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-F6D2ZuGEOZ4/UzbtG_zCGpI/AAAAAAAAcqM/aVuCsqOWOjU/s1600/DSCN4623.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Back home...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OJDFn9Hx850/U2tdNDQ_SXI/AAAAAAAAdyw/hti9J3gfA8g/s1600/DSCN6181.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OJDFn9Hx850/U2tdNDQ_SXI/AAAAAAAAdyw/hti9J3gfA8g/s1600/DSCN6181.JPG" height="218" width="400" /></a></div>
</div>
<div>
<div>
<i style="font-size: x-large;">Thank you for reading!</i></div>
<div>
<i style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></i></div>
<div>
<i style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></i></div>
<div>
<i style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></i></div>
<div>
<i style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></i></div>
<div>
<i style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></i></div>
<div>
<i style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></i></div>
<div>
<i style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></i></div>
<div>
<i style="font-size: x-large;">Thank you for reading!</i></div>
<div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
</div>
Petr Novákhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11517473309667122386noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3866728811341428752.post-12213954580107850352014-04-08T19:17:00.000-07:002016-08-29T00:01:30.799-07:00Taiwan, Taiwan, Taiwan<br />
Dear readers, dear friends. It is already ten days since my middle Europien foot touchTaiwan ground. Many, many things heppened. I am here for tea-tea ware experience and I am getting more then I expected. My plan was to write and post pictures on my blog reguraly, but technology is not on my side.I am taking a lot of pictures, making notes but it is almost inpossible to get all together and share it online. Please, be patient. I apologize to all who contact me via email inlast couple of weeks. I will get back to all of you next month. There are still almost three weeks in front of me...It is very rich, inspirational time.<br />
<br />
Under betel nut palms<br />
Treasure<br />
Formosa flavor<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-boha2sPem9M/U0SsezxkkAI/AAAAAAAAdVQ/-IVuWXQnELw/s1600/DSCN5424.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-boha2sPem9M/U0SsezxkkAI/AAAAAAAAdVQ/-IVuWXQnELw/s1600/DSCN5424.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b><i>thank you for reading!</i></b></span></div>
<br />Petr Novákhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11517473309667122386noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3866728811341428752.post-8424487648952086862014-02-26T04:54:00.000-08:002016-08-29T00:01:30.864-07:00Tea riddle...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-u06VdroJsN0/Uw3k3Vypb0I/AAAAAAAAcUQ/AK3rhbS5TZM/s1600/DSCN4498.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-u06VdroJsN0/Uw3k3Vypb0I/AAAAAAAAcUQ/AK3rhbS5TZM/s1600/DSCN4498.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Early morning, spring in the air</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I was drinking a very nice tea these days. It rarely happens to me that I prepare the same leaves for several times in line. I enjoy it so much that the competitive part of my brain would like to call it "the best sheng of 2013 I have tried so far" Its name and origin lets be hidden for a while. I am going to send 10g of it to the first one who will find out about which tea I am talking here. Just guess and post it to the comments section. Your clue let's be the music below...<br />
<div>
<br />
<div>
<br />
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/Awx6FQjdwmg?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<i><span style="font-size: large;">Thank you for reading! </span>(...and also for listening and the guessing this time)</i></div>
</div>
Petr Novákhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11517473309667122386noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3866728811341428752.post-47634774670461703512014-02-08T12:26:00.002-08:002016-08-29T00:01:30.841-07:00Bulang brotherly competition<br />
<br />
<div>
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DPntksDLkr8/UvaE-Uo2LiI/AAAAAAAAboc/s5uqqQheBdM/s1600/DSCN4288.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DPntksDLkr8/UvaE-Uo2LiI/AAAAAAAAboc/s5uqqQheBdM/s1600/DSCN4288.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a>When I am drinking tea I am usually far from referee's state of mind. I do not drink tea to find the best one but rather try to cultivate myself through the leaf. In this spirit, side by side testing here is not about looking for the winner in intransigent fight. I like how it force my senses to be focused. It is like sitting in dark forest, listening to all sounds around, trying to softly emphatize to all those stories out there. But here it is not about hearing. Taste, smell, feelings in our mouth, throat and our body are things which count.</div>
<div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div>
Three samples from Bulang villages were gifted by friend Peter of <a href="http://pu-erh.sk/shop/index.php?route=common/home" target="_blank"><span style="color: #cc0000;">Pu-erh.sk</span></a>. I did not remember with what storie were those leaves given to me. And I think this is for best.</div>
<div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3IS6emId7RA/UvaNt9-e12I/AAAAAAAAbps/vCW4IzGe8RU/s1600/DSCN4281.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3IS6emId7RA/UvaNt9-e12I/AAAAAAAAbps/vCW4IzGe8RU/s1600/DSCN4281.JPG" height="400" width="290" /></a></div>
<br />
Three bags with nice chunk of cake in each. Ji Liang, Man Nui and Man Xin Long are names of villages as I read them out. All with 2013 label. I thought that it would be interesting to take pictures of each, wet leaves, first brew, second brew...till left over leaves. But during the session I have realized how pointless it would be. Leaves are very similar, brews with slight variations, even if I have them in front of me live I can not tell which one is which and why. Differences are there but impossible to take a snap of.</div>
<div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-POnO5KiHz40/UvaJ_AR0waI/AAAAAAAAbpU/yFy6KlsxEtU/s1600/6_2_142.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-POnO5KiHz40/UvaJ_AR0waI/AAAAAAAAbpU/yFy6KlsxEtU/s1600/6_2_142.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Leaves are grey green, in all three cases with hairy silver leaves mixed with dark green ones. Leaves are rather big, with maybe just one piece of stem for 10g of tea. All three samples looks clean and smell as fresh sheng from south west of Xishuanbanna. Heavier tones of citrus fruits, flowers and even chocolate. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kjIfXuWu8f0/UvaEmRTWJgI/AAAAAAAAboU/UOGGMRFHhrc/s1600/DSCN4268.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kjIfXuWu8f0/UvaEmRTWJgI/AAAAAAAAboU/UOGGMRFHhrc/s1600/DSCN4268.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
After rinse, I spent quite a while with smelling, nose deep in my small shiboridashes. Man Xin Long was the strongest, heaviest in this point. Even after this "smell chapter" I knew: Three times 3,5g of such leaves will be quite an experience, especially for my morning empty stomach. But there is no way back now!</div>
<div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FNA8PBwyVDo/UvaHUzEyeUI/AAAAAAAAbow/masI6tzlNSQ/s1600/DSCN4299.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FNA8PBwyVDo/UvaHUzEyeUI/AAAAAAAAbow/masI6tzlNSQ/s1600/DSCN4299.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
After first two brews I made some notes and all further cups just confirm those findings. All three teas share basic characteristic of good forest Bulang. Pungent smells, strength, bitterness. It starts shortly in second brew and keep going much longer then one morning driker can take. Brews of of Man Xin Long was darker whole time, strongest guy. Ji Liang shows what I appreciate most: purity and sparkle like feeling in mouth. Just Man Nui was a little bit watery. Maybe without side by side comparison I would not notice. But with the same amount of leaves, brewing method and time, brew look a bit cloudy and taste was a bit watery (when bitter and strong). I would be curious to hear what makes that difference. Less sun during withering, bad weather?<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-T3ZTYv-vfHc/UvaG9m3YR-I/AAAAAAAAboo/zBvQnPwcDls/s1600/DSCN4286.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-T3ZTYv-vfHc/UvaG9m3YR-I/AAAAAAAAboo/zBvQnPwcDls/s1600/DSCN4286.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
After maybe six infusion (3*6=18 cups of strong bulang leaves, don't do it on empty stomach!) I give it a brake, return to my tea table in late afternoon. One warm up/wake up brew and teas give another four, five rounds. It was still good! I decided to visit Pue-hr.sk eshop to check prices, availability or any other informations. But unfortunately, any of those teas are there. Writing directly to Peter, I got quick answer. And pretty interesting. All those teas come from last year spring trip to Bulang, where Peter met with TwoDog of <a href="http://www.white2tea.com/tea-shop/2013-white-2-tea-new-amerykah/"><span style="color: #990000;">White2Tea</span></a> (If the Bulang material in that "New Amerykah" cake is as good as those samples, I have to try it!) and Eugene of<a href="http://teaurchin.com/"> <span style="color: #990000;">TeaUrchin</span></a><span style="color: #cc0000;">.</span> They pick some moacha which they like and TwoDog had let press some cakes, just for themselves. Reading this answer I have recalled one very interesting<a href="http://teaurchin.blogspot.cz/2013/06/2013-spring-tea-safari.html"> <span style="color: #cc0000;">Eugene's blog post from last spring.</span></a> Enjoy the reading, down the article you can find more of the story. And stealing Eugene's picture, here they are: Three Tea Musketeers. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Pob6Bt60A-g/UvaKJ8VO3xI/AAAAAAAAbpc/XoRQo_YP2LM/s1600/P4092396+%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Pob6Bt60A-g/UvaKJ8VO3xI/AAAAAAAAbpc/XoRQo_YP2LM/s1600/P4092396+%25281%2529.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Tea connects people, that is (among others) what I love about that plant.<br />
At the end, lets play some music...When I was about to be slowly defeated by power of those teas, my thoughts were: It is killing me, but It is killing me softly.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/GHkmMIfXV5Y?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<br />
<i><span style="font-size: large;">Thank you for reading!</span></i><br />
<br />
<br /></div>
Petr Novákhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11517473309667122386noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3866728811341428752.post-46842439685613514212014-01-13T22:29:00.000-08:002016-08-29T00:01:30.839-07:00Pots and Tea Club- Openning!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SBr9OxqINOA/UrWKTb8u0VI/AAAAAAAAZ9k/cGXEHfP7zdQ/s1600/DSCN2525-003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="117" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SBr9OxqINOA/UrWKTb8u0VI/AAAAAAAAZ9k/cGXEHfP7zdQ/s1600/DSCN2525-003.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<u><b>Pots and Tea Club</b></u><br />
<br />
I am going to try new project this year. I am going to open new blog with label<span style="color: #cc0000;"> <a href="http://potsandtea.blogspot.cz/p/pots-and-tea-club.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #cc0000;">"Pots and Tea Club"</span></a>.</span> The name suggest that it is linked to this original Pots_and_Tea blog. "The Club" means here that it is going to be for those of my readers, who are more interested in my ceramic work then our tea/teaware musings. <br />
<br />
I never wanted to burden this blog with sales, offers or any bussines related things. I would like to keep it this way. New "Pots and Tea Club" is here for you, as a clean and simple way how to see and reach some of our new creations. Time will tell, but I would like to make it more then just a "sale space". If you are curiouse to see how it works, please visit this new page. Thank you in advance for any comments, suggestions or ideas how to make it better!<br />
<br />
Every morning, something new is coming...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2zpWNSfhF3M/UtQtdBSGcQI/AAAAAAAAbTY/j7DdQkTiRJU/s1600/DSCN3949.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2zpWNSfhF3M/UtQtdBSGcQI/AAAAAAAAbTY/j7DdQkTiRJU/s640/DSCN3949.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<i><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></i>
<i><span style="font-size: large;">Thank you for reading!</span></i>Petr Novákhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11517473309667122386noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3866728811341428752.post-72240254833781165282014-01-04T04:46:00.000-08:002016-08-29T00:01:30.858-07:00Gem number twenty one<br />
<br />
Last regular firing of the year, last gem for my collection. Although I am not that kind of person who celebrate Christmas in traditional Czech or Christian manner I like that closer of the year. New season is coming, light starts to move up. Time to clean studio and prepare ourselves for another round, new days of our lives.<br />
<div>
<br />
There was several applicants for becoming gem this time. Finally I decided for teapot in Black Magda slip glaze. I like the shape, how it holds in hands and how nicely it pours. I also went for for piece with Black Magda surface because couple of weeks before the firing, we made a trip to refill our stock of this magical clay.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sgUI_z_lNTc/Usf3VHOVhPI/AAAAAAAAaqk/AzMDvJcph2Q/s1600/DSCN2970.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sgUI_z_lNTc/Usf3VHOVhPI/AAAAAAAAaqk/AzMDvJcph2Q/s400/DSCN2970.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
<div>
<br />
Several years ago, some bag of this natural material was given me by our friend potter Magda (yes, we call it Black Magda for that). Just to make some tests with it...we use it regularly since that, travelling two hundred kilometres time to time, just to dig out some clay in forest on edge of Krušné Hory. Some pictures and notes from recent trip are ready to be share with you, curious reader. But for now, just the reason for such trips: Teapot in natural glaze called Black Magda.<br />
<br />
Well, as usually, before taking look at new pictures of new teapot, say goodby to its predecessor in the gem collection: Chawan named FireLand...</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7QVHhwg39aQ/UMy8KHssSeI/AAAAAAAAPe8/34R1VB4ZzMw/s1600/DSCN7222.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7QVHhwg39aQ/UMy8KHssSeI/AAAAAAAAPe8/34R1VB4ZzMw/s400/DSCN7222.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div>
<br />
<span style="text-align: center;">For more pictures of those new pieces</span><a href="http://potsandtea.blogspot.cz/p/ten-gems_14.html" style="text-align: center;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #990000;"> please visit this page</span></a><span style="text-align: center;">. If The Ten Gems of Ten Kilns project is new for you, then please read </span><a href="http://potsandtea.blogspot.cz/2012/03/first-two-gems.html" style="text-align: center;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #990000;">this post first</span></a><span style="text-align: center;">. </span><br />
<span style="text-align: center;"><br /></span>
<span style="text-align: center;"><b><u>Gem number twenty one: Black Teapot</u></b></span><br />
<span style="text-align: center;"><b><u><br /></u></b></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bZKkHz5aafs/Usf8bkU4f1I/AAAAAAAAasc/94RozAA4tWY/s1600/DSCN3480.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bZKkHz5aafs/Usf8bkU4f1I/AAAAAAAAasc/94RozAA4tWY/s400/DSCN3480.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-I_mowmCjehA/Usf8cT08WdI/AAAAAAAAasc/NQc9sLdAyq4/s1600/DSCN3481.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-I_mowmCjehA/Usf8cT08WdI/AAAAAAAAasc/NQc9sLdAyq4/s400/DSCN3481.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JGQbsScX3YY/Usf8d6Hs-3I/AAAAAAAAasc/eN5sy2Sl_zU/s1600/DSCN3482.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JGQbsScX3YY/Usf8d6Hs-3I/AAAAAAAAasc/eN5sy2Sl_zU/s400/DSCN3482.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Q2Xpsst6cRg/Usf8egfJmxI/AAAAAAAAasc/8HXf85Qqc2E/s1600/DSCN3483.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Q2Xpsst6cRg/Usf8egfJmxI/AAAAAAAAasc/8HXf85Qqc2E/s400/DSCN3483.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mAjIKljoSQU/Usf8jSietlI/AAAAAAAAasc/kH8rxGegxOg/s1600/DSCN3489.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mAjIKljoSQU/Usf8jSietlI/AAAAAAAAasc/kH8rxGegxOg/s400/DSCN3489.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="text-align: center;"><b><u><br /></u></b></span>
<span style="text-align: center;"><b><u><br /></u></b></span>
<i style="font-size: x-large; text-align: center;">Thank you for reading!</i><br />
<span style="text-align: center;"><br /></span>
<span style="text-align: center;"><br /></span></div>
Petr Novákhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11517473309667122386noreply@blogger.com4