The Exotic Teapot

For centuries tea has entered the political arena hence impacting societies, prosperity and traditions around the world.  In 1391 the Ming Dynasty in China ruled that loose teas were to be honoured by the courts instead of tea bricks.  In 1773 a historical event in the soon to be USA occurred, rebuking taxation of tea from the British Parliament. This was instrumental to the American Revolution.  Today, if using a US search engine such as Google.com then typing in tea party over 72,500 links appear, with the first page and many more associated with the current political movement called the tea party.  These are just two nations’ examples.  The history of tea and its benefits indicate what a precious commodity it truly is.   

A study published in General Denistry reported that drinking green tea is better for your teeth than sodas or juices.  Bottled green teas do not apply as these contain citric acid and sugars.  These ingredients, along with milk, are harmful because they have an erosive effect on the teeth.  Green tea made at home, using fresh tea leaves and pure water, is the only way to attain the beneficial flavonoids and antioxidants the beverage naturally contains. 

A 13 year study conducted by Dutch researchers recently reported results of tea consumption in relation to heart disease.  Daily drinking of three to six cups of tea, compared to one cup drinkers, was linked to a 45% reduced risk of death from heart disease.  But drinking over six cups per day dropped the percentage 10%.  Having two to four cups of coffee only reduced the risk 20%. 

According to Molecular Gastronomy: Exploring the Science of Flavor research has been conducted to determine the most effective and expeditious method to cool a hot cup of tea.  Leaving the teaspoon in the cup ranked the least efficient.  Adding warm milk resulted in the third worst.  Stirring the tea for one minute dropped the temperature by 6 degrees.  However, blowing in the cup of hot tea for the same amount of time while stirring was the quickest method, nearly twice as effective.  Why?  Because blowing and stirring maximizes the surface area between the air and the liquid.   

What healthy benefits are lost when tea is iced?  Research has been conducted.  Scientists at the University of Hong Kong proved that only 20% of the admirable antioxidants in tea dissipate when cooled to 98 Celsius.  With warm weather on the arisen this is good news.  Americans prefer iced tea to hot, perhaps due to the higher temperatures in North America.  Additionally, lemon is normally added to their iced tea.  Lemon in fact has shown to delay the reduction of antioxidants.   However, do not add the sugar dosage commonly used by westerners; this is where the calories add up.

The benefits of drinking rooibos tea continue to increase.  Of most notable is the discovery of it containing SOD, short for superoxide dismutase.  This enzyme is a cellular antioxidant that actually seeks out free radicals that damage cell proteins and genetic materials hence, leaving cells vulnerable to cancer.  SOD is the body’s primary defense against these radicals.  Unfortunately, it is not found in most foods.  Research has proven that SOD can repair the tissue damage after a heart attack and illnesses of the kidneys, intestines and pancreas. 

Attending one workshop and reading one article about the ceramic process was all that it took for Brenda Lichman-Barber to be convinced this would be her journey.  The article writer, Bruce Metcalf stated:  “A person who has a strong bodily-kinesthetic tuned to fine motor skills, and good spatial intelligence, will feel comfortable working with her hands. The student discovers that the work-physical labor-conforms to a pre-existing complex of latent abilities, and her inmate mix of intelligences finally finds a means of expression.”   Brenda describes herself as spontaneous, energetic and bold; all attributes she is compelled to illustrate in every teapot that she makes.

It's April again and time for us to check out the new Spring crop tea harvest. We're off on a whirlwind tour of India and China to visit our tea masters and select the finest possible tea for our new 2010 range. In India, we'll be visiting notably the beautiful areas of Darjeeling and Munnar in Kerala. In China, we're particularly looking forward to sampling our freshest flowering teas and jasmine pearls in Fujian Province.

The Exotic Teapot online shop will be closed for orders until April 26th. Our new 2010 crop and range of teas should be available for purchase mid May.

This stunning teapot by Davina Romansky is the winner of The 2009 Saul Bell Award in the hollowware category.   This category must use either silver or gold that is spun, drawn, raised and or forged.  Decorative casts or components are permissible.   This prestigious award has challenged silversmiths and jewelry designers around the world to submit innovative pieces for near a decade.  Metalsmith artists believe the teapot is the most challenging of pieces to create and relish in the accomplishment once mastered.  This one is certainly a masterpiece.

Climbing to the North Pole would be arduous for anyone.  Warm clothing, a reliable tent plus dehydrated and complex carbohydrate foods would most likely be the staples in such backpacks.   But two Americans proclaimed that the 26 oz teapot they packed was the best item they could have taken.  Because of the pot’s durability and size, the two men were able to melt snow blocks, boil water and use for storage while hiking.  Starting the trek in Canada at Ellesmere Island, the Americans made what is called the “hardest trek on the planet” with their teapot in just two months.     

These little pigs are born small enough to fit in a teacup.  The miniature swine is gaining acceptance as a replacement to the teacup pet poodle.  Additionally, it is claimed the tiny ones, growing to the adult size of a Cocker Spaniel, are smarter than a dog.  Apparently they can learn and perform tricks.  I wonder if they can learn how to brew a cup of tea?      

I am sure we have all experienced boredom.  To pass the time I’ve never thought about blowing water from a teapot.   Apparently others have.  In fact, the images below are submitted by participants who competed to see how far and accurate s/he could perform this task.  Not only is it an unusual contest but one of the objects chosen to blow the water into is odd to say the least. 

We all are amazed with or at something.  Then, with friends and family we typically share our fascination via words or photographs.   Rarely do we decide to attend academic classes and become an understudy for a Chinese brush painter so to reproduce our beloved interest.  This is exactly what Bonnie Belt did.  Moving from an arid region to a locale full of grape vines and conifers Bonnie fell in love with trees, vines and lush evergreens.  She was determined to replicate this fascination onto teapots and other vessels.  Now, I am fascinated with her teapots.  

Mary Dorsch believes in recycling.  Her studio consists of old shelves and old carts.  Her clay she reuses, making round vessels then with the remains making squared pieces, such as these glorious squared teapots.  Her unused clay, she stores in old plastic bags and the energy used is from wind power.  The pots cracked from the high heat in kilns she gives to mosaic artists.  Do you know that quality loose tea leaves can be used more than once?

If you haven’t visited a wine and spirits shop in the U.S. you may be surprised at the variety of tea infused vodkas on the shelves.  Even the finer pubs and bars, especially in southeastern USA, vie for the most unique tea infused martinis and cocktails.  Southerners have always been known for drinking sweet iced tea; most restaurants in the region assume that when you order tea, it is to be iced and laden with sugar.  No wonder sweet tea infused vodkas have caught on so quickly.  One brand warns that even the daintiest of belles can drink a mason jar full before feeling fuzzy.