One chance

Shortly before she left the U.S. to return to her home in China, Shuai Chen, an HSU student and practitioner of the Chinese tea ceremony, invited us to her house to enjoy an afternoon of tea and conversation. It was a luxuriously sunny Sunday last September, and her presentation was as lovely and fluid as the delicious tea we sipped.

I began this entry right after our gathering, but set it aside to deal with the many other things life was tossing at me. I wish I had finished writing this post when the memories were fresh, but now what I have to share is an incomplete accounting of imperfect memories. And so here is the lesson of ichigo ichie -- one chance, one meeting.

I remember that Pia and Kristin couldn't make the rendezvous so it was just me and Laura. Shuai wore a beautiful Chinese dress -- the kind with the "Mandarin" collar and knotted buttons on the side. We listened to traditional Chinese music and she excitedly showed us a new travel tea mug. We met a roommate who, although charming, seemed to sidetrack our conversation. She showed us Chinese tea ceremony magazines (one article in particular featured photos of a prototype of the Japanese ceremony). I think I might have taken her some dorayaki (a Japanese confection). We talked about how sweets are served with Japanese tea, but not with Chinese tea. I don't recall the variety of tea we drank -- was it oolong or pu-ehr? -- and I had completely forgotten about a darling little clay frog figurine Shuai had on her tea tray until I opened up the draft for this post and found links I had saved to TeaCuppa.com (below).

I found the Web site while searching for a travel tea mug like Shuai's, and, of course, found plenty of other tempting things like a little clay frog quite similar to Shuai's. Intending to visit the site again, I saved the links. But here I am, nine months later, still without a travel tea mug or clay frog and trying to piece together bits of memories of that lovely day. I'd like to say "lesson learned," but that's not entirely accurate. Let's just say lesson received.

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http://www.teacuppa.com/Travel-Buddy-Teapot.asp
http://www.teacuppa.com/Multi-Color-Yixing-Toys.asp
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yixing_clay

Tea and Tea People

Shuai Chen's latest installment of Tea Tales: About types of tea and 'tea people'

I can hardly imagine the tea collection she describes -- it sounds fabulous!

Things I've missed

Blink, blink. Here are some recent Tea Tales by Shuai Chen we managed to overlook.

TEA TALES: Flower teas go well with other teas 10/22/2008 - Chinese tea is not all about those green leaves. There's a small category generally known as flower tea that includes many kinds of flowers you could find in China.

TEA TALES: Esteemed tea began as a mistake 01/21/2009 - Pu'er tea: It has medicinal powers as well as being a tea. It's considered a “drinkable antique.” Its value increases over time, like some stocks.

TEA TALES: Poem tells the story of a friendship
09/03/2008 - Experts in Chinese tea history have concluded that during the Tang Dynasty, there were three events of major significance. One was “The Book of Tea,” written by Lu Yu.

Chinese Tea Ceremony and Happy Hour

The subject of Kumi's email said, "Chinese Tea Ceremony and Finger Food Potluck." Our response was, "Where?! When?!" We leapt at the opportunity to enjoy Shuai Chen's tea ceremony.

After a summer home in China with family and friends, Shuai has returned to Humboldt County and her studies at HSU. At this tea gathering Sunday afternoon, she made tea for a dozen or so friends and acquaintances, including Kristin, Harvey and I. Our gracious hosts, Ange and Chantal Lobue, opened their home for tea, snacks, libation and lively discussion. We enjoyed seeing Shuai again, and of course, Kumi and Jay. We also made some new friends with whom we hope to share tea again soon.

The tea Shuai served was called "Red Robe" which she brought back from her recent trip to China. She explained that it had a special fragrance and flavor of a particular "rock" but I was not close enough to the center of discussion to hear clearly what that particular rock was. I did, however, appreciate Red Robe's unique flavor and aroma.

The photos above show Shuai steeping and straining the first infusion, then warming the aroma cups (tall cups) and drinking cups.

The aroma cup (the tall cup) is rolled between the hands
while appreciating the tea's fragrance.

One detail I noticed which I did not remember from Shuai's demonstration at HSU in April: When steeping the tea in a small covered cup, she twirled the lid around in a circle, as if to allow a little steam out or a little air in. Was it unique to this ceremony or variety of tea? Or did I forget this detail from April?

Shuai twirls the lid while steeping tea.

After we appreciated several infusions of Shuai's tea, we enjoyed snacks and drinks, and made new friends. We hope to gather with them again for Japanese tea appreciation later this fall.

If you can't enjoy Shuai's tea in person, read her latest offering of Tea Tales for North Coast readers:
http://www.times-standard.com/ci_10369331?IADID=Search-www.times-standard.com-www.times-standard.com

New Tea Tales

Shuai Chen's latest installment of Tea Tales in the Times-Standard, "The Covered Bowl Has A Long History":

There are a total of 25 Chinese tea wares, according to Lu Yu of the Tang Dynasty, who is the author of the “Book of Tea” and a recognized “Sage of Tea.”

All tea wares can be divided into several categories, including bowls, cups, pots and so on. Choosing the suitable wares for a tea ceremony, be it formal or informal, is based on personal choices and customs, certain conditions and even one's aesthetic standards....

Click here to read on.

TEA TALES: Treasured tea started as a dream

Shuai's latest article on the Chinese Tea Ceremony published by the Times-Standard "Tea Tales: Treasured tea started as a dream."

According to legend, during the Qing Dynasty around the year of 1725, there was a tea farmer, Wei Yin, in Anxi County who was very diligent about growing a tea bush. Wei Yin also believed in Guanyin, which is a Bodhisattva in Buddhism. He showed his devotion by enshrining a statue of Guanyin at home…

Tea Tales by Shuai Chen

This is the first of what promises to be several articles by Shuai Chen, Chinese tea practitioner, HSU finance student and tea friend. Shuai joined us for Cha-no-yu recently.

http://www.times-standard.com/lifestyle/ci_9103812