greetings from Ontario, Canada

[Ursinos]

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

[Chip]

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!

[Ursinos]

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

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!

[sherubtse]

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

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

[Ursinos]

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

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?

[sherubtse]

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

[Ursinos]

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.

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?

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!

[sherubtse]

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

[Ursinos]

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

[chamekke]

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

[sherubtse]

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

[Ursinos]

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

[Ursinos]

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

[chamekke]

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

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

[Ursinos]

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

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).