So, where do you get your Matcha?

Weekly Tea ceremony practice with four or five people will use up a tin of tea in short order so we're always looking for good and affordable matcha. We often stock up when friends go to Portland or San Francisco, and until recently have ordered delicious tea from Pacleaf.com. However, necessity dictates we broaden our tastes and shopportunities.

Here are some sites I found while cruising for new tea sources. Any recommendations? Comments are welcome!

http://www.ippodo-tea.co.jp/en/index.html
We have tried Ippodo teas and found them to be of very good quality. The tea was sent as a gift from Sensei in Japan. We have not ordered directly from them.

http://www.amazon.com/DoMatcha-Organic-Matcha-Green-1-06-Ounce/dp/B0019FOZC4/ref=pd_bxgy_misc_img_b Who'da thunk that you could buy matcha from amazon?? I'm tempted.

http://www.lupiciausa.com/

http://www.matchasource.com/

http://www.shizuokatea.com/index.htm
We bought Shizuoka Tea from vending machines in and around Shizuoka. Very tasty.

EDEN Organic Matcha http://www.edenfoods.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=110510&ref_src=froogle&ref_id=froogle

http://www.choiceorganicteas.com/greenteas-order.asp#1838

http://www.artoftea.com/catalog/ceremonial-matcha-p-67.html

Chanoyu in Montréal

Recently, Laura discovered Chanoyu while visiting Montréal.

While planning activities for Montréal, I discovered that the Montreal Association of Chado Urasenke Tankokai offered demonstrations of Japanese Tea ceremony at the Botanical Gardens' Japanese Tea Garden. I determined to go, and made a day of it. ...

Her photos of the beautiful garden and impressions of having Tea are here at Lauraven's Miscellany...

Teabowls!

These three bowls viewed together told a unique story that could not be conveyed by any of them individually.

Oribe, raku, modern -- reading about these tea bowls tugs at my heartstrings and I wish I could have held them too.

http://www.asianart.org/blog/index.php/2009/06/20/teabowls/

(Thanks for the link Kumi!)

Encyclopedia of Shinto

Recently, Harvey found a darling picture of a Japanese shrine cat which reminded us of our cat, Nikko. The photo was taken at Umemiya Shrine in Kyoto. Curious, I did a quick Google search to find out about the shrine and came across this website:

http://eos.kokugakuin.ac.jp/modules/xwords/

This is a good introduction to Shinto, an important influence on Chado and Japanese culture in general.

Sensu

I found a beautiful photo and culture blog and had to share this link about the use of sensu in Tea Ceremony.

Kyoto Daily Photo: Another purpose of sensu, paper fun

Take time to enjoy other posts and photos.

Ku Day Ta

Milpitas is usually not a destination for me. It's straight up and down the 101, either to Santa Rosa or San Francisco, attempting to avoiding lunatic drivers and trying to not give in to road rage. However, I think I have found a reason to make a side trip. Ku Day Ta looks like an intriguing little tea shop, just right for washing away any vestige of road rage. Here's an offering from last April to entice you to visit their lovely web page:

Celebrate Spring With Ku Day Ta Tea Lounge –Oolong April! Ku Day Ta has assembled a delicious variety of premium, fresh Oolong teas during the month of April. 15% off all Oolong teas from April 1st – April 30th. Join us for Oolong April To celebrate spring and our rare premium, fresh and delicious Oolong teas, join us for Oolong tea tastings in April: APRIL 18TH AND 19TH 3-4 PM APRIL 25TH AND 26TH 3-4 PM Cost: $15.00 per person includes three selected teas from our Oolong tea collection. Taste small bites from our new food menu chosen to pair with your tea choices. 15% off our Oolong teas to take home for each tea tasting ticket purchased. Oolong Teas (pronounced Wu-Long, means "Black Dragon") are semi-fermented and express characteristics in-between Green and Black Teas. Because Oolong Teas have smooth, complex flavors, they are often a favorite among connoisseurs. Oolong teas have the health benefits of green tea. Oolongs can range from a buttery caramel taste, to milky, silky or smoky depending upon the type selected and region. The most widely coveted Oolongs are from Taiwan and China. Click here to register for our tea tasting or call us and make your reservation today! 408 935-9107 Visit our web site for more information. www.kudayta.com Go Green at Ku DayTa – Bring us your canister for a refill of your favorite tea and we'll take 10% off your purchase. KU DAY TA TEA LOUNGE 447 GREAT MALL DRIVE, #124 MILPITAS, CA 95035 (408) 935-9107 INFO@KUDAYTA.COM WWW.KUDAYTA.COM FACEBOOK GROUP: KUDAYTA