Wednesday 8/13/08 UNOPENED teas, how many?

[Chip]

Yesterday, many TeaChatters indicated they took only seconds to decide what their next tea will be. Yet some took more than 10 minutes as well. You can still vote and discuss this topic.

Welcome everyone to TeaDay. Shall we brew and share what is in our cups today, all day.

Today's TeaPoll and discussion topic, I have asked several times how many teas you have open several different ways. A few days ago, Geek offered a revelation. How many teas do you have UNOPENED? Do you have more open or unopened?

I am certainly looking forward to sharing TeaDay with everyone. Bottoms up!

[Salsero]

Today we have an oolong from the Nantou area of Taiwan, brewed “grandfather” style in a cup that says Nippon (<--linky) on the bottom and features two strange birds (?) leaping at each other. The birds seem to have whale tails instead of heads. I love the cup, does anyone have any idea what’s going on with the rampaging bird creatures or the flowers (peonies? no, they’re Chinese) and vines? As usual, clicking will access a larger image.



While working with blow ups of the photo, I noticed there is something written above the word Nippon, but I can't make it out. See nosy parker detail here.

Since everyone seems so chataku crazy this week, I will mention that the one in the photo is from Utsuwa.

That is all. As you were.

[omegapd]

Way more open than unopened. I've got about 8 samples from Upton's I hadn't opened yet, though. I'm just waiting for time to work with them and trying to use up other stuff. Unfortunately, I'm all about the Pu right now and none of those are Pu erh, so they may stay unopened for awhile.

Puer Shop's little tea bricks this morning at work. Good work tea, good value, I've had plenty worse than these things.

EW

[chamekke]

While working with blow ups of the photo, I noticed there is something written above the word Nippon, but I can't make it out. See nosy parker detail here.

It says Royal Sometuke NIPPON.

Sometuke is the Kunrei-shiki romanization (transliteration) of the word more usually transliterated, and pronounced, as Sometsuke - i.e. blue glazed china, commonly known in English as "blue-and-white" wares.

You might find something more about it on the Gotheborg.com site, especially if you have a paid membership there. I was unable to find anything on their Japanese marks page, however.

[bronzebed]

fantastic pic salsero! makes me feel very relaxed.

[olivierco]

Easy poll today: more than 20 and more unopen (I have more than 40 tea packages in my fridge and about 20 in my drawers) than open (about 15 I guess).

This morning Yunnan golden tips.

[Salsero]

It says Royal Sometuke NIPPON.

Wow! Is there something you DON'T know?

[chamekke]

It says Royal Sometuke NIPPON.

Wow! Is there something you DON'T know?

Heh. Not to ruin my reputation, but...

When I saw your photo, I thought I was able to make out the word "sometuke", so Googled on the phrase "sometuke nippon". The first result was "Royal Sometuke Nippon"...

[Salsero]

I was able to make out the word "sometuke"...

Well, I thought I saw the words "Rose of Scotland", but had the good sense not to google it.

[augie]

Everything is opened. When I get tea, I open immediately and sniff. I usually try once within a day or two. I only order tea when I am getting dangerously low, so it doesn't stay closed/untried for long.

chamekke, you win the Teaware Nerd of the Day Award! Very impressive.

[henley]

The birds look like they're running toward each other -- like those scenes where a man & woman are running to each other w/outstretched arms (& of course slow motion) while a sappy love song plays in the background.

I have no teas unopened. Gotta try it almost immediately once it arrives because it's either a favorite that I ran out of or something new I've been waiting to try.

Organic Monk's Blend w/bfast today. Think I need a second pot. Have a good one!

[CynTEAa]

Good morning! Feeling sluggish today. Even Yunnan Gold isn't perking me up, yet

Where are you all seeing these words in the pic? Impressive Nosy Parker work, Chamekke. Impressive pic, Sal! Whale tails for heads....maybe I'm still asleep?

[Victoria]

I'm at the high end of the poll with more than 20 and more open than unopen.

Yunnan Gold in my cup this morning.

Have a nice day everyone!

[Salsero]

Where are you all seeing these words in the pic?

Cyn,
The first Nippon and the phrase nosy parker detail here are both hot links to photos of the bottom of the cup.

Amazing as the Matcha Babe Chamekke has proven herself once again to be, she did not unearth any information about the fighting (or, in Henley's version, loving) Chickens dashing at each other. There was a Japanese monster movie, the TV ads for which scared the bejeezus out of me in 1956, called Rodan that featured an enormous bird that threatened Tokyo. Maybe these cuties are related to Rodan.

[CynTEAa]

Where are you all seeing these words in the pic?

Cyn,
The first Nippon and the phrase nosy parker detail here are both hot links to photos of the bottom of the cup.

Amazing as the Matcha Babe Chamekke has proven herself once again to be, she did not unearth any information about the fighting (or, in Henley's version, loving) Chickens dashing at each other. There was a Japanese monster movie, the TV ads for which scared the bejeezus out of me in 1956, called Rodan that featured an enormous bird that threatened Tokyo. Maybe these cuties are related to Rodan.

Thanks, Sal. I clicked teh wrong linky.

I remember Rodan. And Gamera...Mothra...they aired these movies heavily on Saturday mornings in the 70's.