YiXing Teapots aka Clay teapots

YiXing (pronounced ee-shing) teapots have long been known in China for their simple beauty and unique tea brewing qualities.   These handmade Clay teapots have been praised for the way in which they "drive away the smell of boiled water but do not rob the tea of its aroma".

Archaeological excavations reveal that as early as the Song Dynasty (10th century) potters near Yixing, a small town located a little way inland from Shanghai, were using local zisha clay to make utensils that could have functioned as teapots.   Zisha or "purple sand" refers to the locally occurring clay, which fires to a variety of rich brown colours.

Yixing teapots are meant for use with black and oolong teas, as well as aged Puerh tea. They can also be used for green or white tea, but the water must be allowed to cool to around 85 degrees Celsius before pouring the water into the pot. Yixing teapots absorb a tiny amount of tea into the pot during brewing. After prolonged use, the pot will develop a coating that retains the flavor and color of the tea. It is for this reason that soap should not be used to clean Yixing teapots. Instead, it should be rinsed with fresh water and allowed to air-dry. A studious tea connoisseur will only steep one type of tea in a particular pot, so as not to corrupt the flavor that has been absorbed.


Chinese Yixing Teapots are considered by some connoisseurs as the best possible way to steep tea.  We love our little clay teapots and just wanted to share a little of their beauty and mystery with the world x

Tea of the Month - Warm Spice

Winter's coming.......... the smell of burning log fires in the air, autumn leaves rustling by in the wind and the winter wardrobe has new additions. Our tea of the month, Warm Spice,  finds itself very appropriate.

Warm Spice is an enciting blend of warming spices and fruit pieces - cinnamon, cardamon, ginger, citrus peel and apple - combined with Rooibos tea. The perfect caffeine-free pick me up. 

For May ONLY buy Warm Spice online at 20% off. 

Enjoy!

http://www.theberryteashop.com.au/products/warm-spice

Happy Mothers Day

We would love to wish all the beautiful mothers out there, a very Happy Mothers Day!!!!

Treat yourself or request that a loved one (if they have not yet responded to the deep desires of your heart) make you a delicious and large pot of tea, along side a little treat of your choice.  You deserve it.

It is in the event of taking time to have a tea that we can reflect on our blessings, disappointments and victories in life, love and the adventure of it all.

Mothers, drink up!

xoxo

Royal Albert

 Established in 1896, Royal Albert is inspired by everything English - the country garden and the national flower, the rose. Quintessentially English, Royal Albert Giftware and Tableware is both traditional and avant-garde.

Royal Albert has been dedicated to English grace, elegance, and romance since Victorian times and is completely 'passionate about florals'. We are so excited to have the new Royal Albert range in store this weekend, just in time for mothers day! Classic, elegant and very British - the ultimate way to enjoy the traditions of English tea.

Milk in First or Second?

We often get asked this question by customers and everyone has different views on the subject.  Scientists at The Royal Society of Chemistry (London) believe the correct way is to put the milk in first because the hot tea homogenizes the fats in the milk.  However, our theory is it is better to put the milk in second so you can tell exactly how much you will need.  We often have customers fill half of their cup with milk then add their tea and then say "Ooh, this tea's a bit weak!". 

Pouring the tea in first was said to have originated amongst the Upper Classes as a way to show off the quality of one's china and, of course, the brew itself.  English writer Nancy Mitford, who is best remembered for her series of novels about upper-class life in England and France, scathingly referred to the lower classes as MIFs, or Milk In Firsts - in the earliest days of tea drinking, milk was put in first to help protect poor quality china from cracking on contact with the tea.

The more important issue though, isn't whether you should put milk in first or second but whether you should add milk at all.  While milk often goes well with black teas it should never be drunk with light and fragrant Green Tea, Oolong Tea, White Tea or Herbal Infusions.  This may be common knowledge to most tea drinkers but to the beginner it can be a little daunting.

However, at the end of the day,  there's no right or wrong way to take your tea - the best way is exactly how you like it!

Enjoy x

Ever Wonder How Jasmine Pearl Tea (Jasmine Dragon Eyes) is Made?

Inspirational Messages for 2012

Love these little messages from Cristina Re (stationery designer). Just wanted to share this bit of inspiration with you all and wish you a beautiful, magical and creative year ahead...
Stay tuned for lots of exciting new products and happenings in 2012.

Lots of love,

Paulina and Cliff xoxo