greetings from Ontario, Canada

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Dec 13th, '13, 19:23
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Location: Southern Ontario

greetings from Ontario, Canada

by Ursinos » Dec 13th, '13, 19:23

Just signed up here this past week. I've been a tea drinker my entire life, was one of those things my mom and I always did growing up (we both seem to have some kind of sensitivity to coffee, makes us both sick).

Been really getting into the loose leaf teas over the last couple years though, and recently discovered a love for Lapsang Souchong, as well as ti kuan yin oolong. Trying to learn more about how to get the most out of the teas as they are worth more attention than a simple cup of tetley lol.

Currently REALLY interested in finding myself a gaiwan to brew my oolong in :) just a matter of finding the right one. Anyone notice how rare it is to find yellow teaware that doesn't have the colour on the INSIDE of the cups? How's one supposed to admire the colour of the liquor? geesh

anyway, thought I'd say hi :)

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Dec 13th, '13, 19:45
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Re: greetings from Ontario, Canada

by Chip » Dec 13th, '13, 19:45

Welcome Ursinos to our TeaForum!

Glad you joined us and I am looking forward to seeing you around.

Like you, I prefer 'light interiors' for certain teas! :mrgreen:

Dec 13th, '13, 19:55
Posts: 113
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Location: Southern Ontario

Re: greetings from Ontario, Canada

by Ursinos » Dec 13th, '13, 19:55

Chip wrote:Like you, I prefer 'light interiors' for certain teas! :mrgreen:
Thanks for the welcome :)

its not so bad when it's an old and familiar tea, but when you're getting a feel for a new tea (or so the literature I've checked out says) it's good to be able to see the colour of the liquor without the coloured glaze of the cup altering it. unfortunately, it seems 99% if yellow teaware (my favorite colour) is white on the outside and coloured on the INSIDE, ARG!

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Dec 14th, '13, 08:28
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Re: greetings from Ontario, Canada

by sherubtse » Dec 14th, '13, 08:28

I second Chip's welcome, especially as you are a fellow resident of Ontario! :D

Don't know where you are located, but here in TO you can find some neutral-coloured gaiwans in the downtown Chinatown. For many years, I used a white coloured one (inside and outside) that I procured there. Recently, I switched to a glass one that I also obtained there. Throughout, though, my tea-drinking bowl has been the same white one.

Best wishes,
sherubtse

Dec 14th, '13, 14:13
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Re: greetings from Ontario, Canada

by Ursinos » Dec 14th, '13, 14:13

sherubtse wrote:I second Chip's welcome, especially as you are a fellow resident of Ontario! :D

Don't know where you are located, but here in TO you can find some neutral-coloured gaiwans in the downtown Chinatown. For many years, I used a white coloured one (inside and outside) that I procured there. Recently, I switched to a glass one that I also obtained there. Throughout, though, my tea-drinking bowl has been the same white one.

Best wishes,
sherubtse
I'm in the KW area actually, and don't get to toronto regularly :(. I'll probably end up with a white gaiwan or a glass one, but I'm still gonna keep looking for a yellow one. Yellow is my favorite colour and I just like to have gear like that in my favorite colour, it just makes the experience more personal to me :) it's just annoying cause you can find teaware in blues, reds, greens, oranges, but they just seem to have a prejudice against yellow.

Do you happen to know of any canadian suppliers of gaiwans online?

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Dec 14th, '13, 17:29
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Re: greetings from Ontario, Canada

by sherubtse » Dec 14th, '13, 17:29

If I understand you correctly, you are looking for a gaiwan that is yellow on the outside and white on the inside. Is that correct?

Assuming that I am correct, I can think of one place here in TO that sells such an item, but it is irrelevant as you rarely get to Hogtown.

What about Camellia-Sinensis:

http://camellia-sinensis.com/en/catalog ... c&q=gaiwan

At present, they don't have any that are yellow, but may stock some in the future. They are the only Canadian-based supplier that I know who sell gaiwans online. But, of course, there may be others of which I am unaware.

Best of luck in your search. :)

Best wishes,
sherubtse

Dec 14th, '13, 18:07
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Location: Southern Ontario

Re: greetings from Ontario, Canada

by Ursinos » Dec 14th, '13, 18:07

sherubtse wrote:If I understand you correctly, you are looking for a gaiwan that is yellow on the outside and white on the inside. Is that correct?
yes, that is exactly it. it doesn't need to be solid yellow, some kind of print (for example, sunflowers or whatever) would be just as acceptable.
sherubtse wrote:Assuming that I am correct, I can think of one place here in TO that sells such an item, but it is irrelevant as you rarely get to Hogtown.
I might eventually get to Toronto at some point, my wife keeps suggesting we take the GO train in at some point an spend a day in Toronto just wandering around, maybe make it a photo outing (we're both into taking random pictures lol). what's the store's name?
sherubtse wrote:What about Camellia-Sinensis:

http://camellia-sinensis.com/en/catalog ... c&q=gaiwan

At present, they don't have any that are yellow, but may stock some in the future. They are the only Canadian-based supplier that I know who sell gaiwans online. But, of course, there may be others of which I am unaware.
These guys are canadian based? didn't know that. I found them on a random websearch at one point, and they do have a gaiwan there that I kind of like. has yellow-gold swirl pattern on it that might be acceptable :) will have to bookmark it. Thanks!

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Dec 14th, '13, 22:06
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Re: greetings from Ontario, Canada

by sherubtse » Dec 14th, '13, 22:06

Ursinos wrote:I might eventually get to Toronto at some point, my wife keeps suggesting we take the GO train in at some point an spend a day in Toronto just wandering around, maybe make it a photo outing (we're both into taking random pictures lol). what's the store's name?
I am not sure of the store spelling or the exact address. If you do decide to visit us, PM me a few days before and I will fire off the full details.

Best wishes,
sherubtse

Dec 14th, '13, 23:20
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Re: greetings from Ontario, Canada

by Ursinos » Dec 14th, '13, 23:20

sherubtse wrote: I am not sure of the store spelling or the exact address. If you do decide to visit us, PM me a few days before and I will fire off the full details.

Best wishes,
sherubtse
will do, thanks

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Dec 15th, '13, 04:41
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Re: greetings from Ontario, Canada

by chamekke » Dec 15th, '13, 04:41

The Chinese Tea Shop in Vancouver sells gaiwan, including some with white interiors:
http://store.thechineseteashop.com/Gai_Wan_s/67.htm

The other Vancouver shop I've bought teawares from is Treasure Green. IIRC their prices are generally lower than CTS's:
http://www.treasuregreen.com/page/834683

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Dec 15th, '13, 08:08
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Re: greetings from Ontario, Canada

by sherubtse » Dec 15th, '13, 08:08

chamekke wrote:The Chinese Tea Shop in Vancouver sells gaiwan, including some with white interiors:
http://store.thechineseteashop.com/Gai_Wan_s/67.htm

The other Vancouver shop I've bought teawares from is Treasure Green. IIRC their prices are generally lower than CTS's:
http://www.treasuregreen.com/page/834683
I especially like the former vendor that chamekke mentioned. Here is one from them that may suit your requirements, though it is a bit pricey:

http://store.thechineseteashop.com/1980 ... 80-003.htm

Best wishes,
sherubtse

Dec 15th, '13, 12:45
Posts: 113
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Location: Southern Ontario

Re: greetings from Ontario, Canada

by Ursinos » Dec 15th, '13, 12:45

sherubtse wrote: I especially like the former vendor that chamekke mentioned. Here is one from them that may suit your requirements, though it is a bit pricey:

http://store.thechineseteashop.com/1980 ... 80-003.htm

Best wishes,
sherubtse

oooo, that is nice, I'll be bookmarking that one for later. might not be my first one, but it'll be on my wishlist

Dec 15th, '13, 12:50
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Location: Southern Ontario

Re: greetings from Ontario, Canada

by Ursinos » Dec 15th, '13, 12:50

chamekke wrote:The Chinese Tea Shop in Vancouver sells gaiwan, including some with white interiors:
http://store.thechineseteashop.com/Gai_Wan_s/67.htm

The other Vancouver shop I've bought teawares from is Treasure Green. IIRC their prices are generally lower than CTS's:
http://www.treasuregreen.com/page/834683

Thanks, I'll be checking them out

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Dec 17th, '13, 03:27
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Re: greetings from Ontario, Canada

by chamekke » Dec 17th, '13, 03:27

No problem! If I come across any other sources, I'll let you know :D

P.S. Tea Centre in Courtenay, BC has nice things from time to time, although at the moment only one gaiwan with a white interior that I could find (and it seems to include a filter???):
http://teacentre.ca/asian.htm

Dec 19th, '13, 16:46
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Re: greetings from Ontario, Canada

by Ursinos » Dec 19th, '13, 16:46

chamekke wrote:No problem! If I come across any other sources, I'll let you know :D

P.S. Tea Centre in Courtenay, BC has nice things from time to time, although at the moment only one gaiwan with a white interior that I could find (and it seems to include a filter???):
http://teacentre.ca/asian.htm

thanks, I'll keep my eye on them. it seems that a local area shop "distinctly tea" has some in stock, and at 20 bucks, it's worth not having to wait for shipping at least to have one (even if it's not of super quality).

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