Chinese Tea Thermos

[hoverpumpkin]

I'm about to order that same one! Can you tell me, does it feel sturdy? What is the glass like - very fragile, or does it feel strong like borosilicate (Pyrex?)

How long would you say it keeps the tea warm? Sorry for all the questions, it's just great to have a firsthand user to talk to!

[tealeaf]

I'm about to order that same one! Can you tell me, does it feel sturdy? What is the glass like - very fragile, or does it feel strong like borosilicate (Pyrex?)

How long would you say it keeps the tea warm? Sorry for all the questions, it's just great to have a firsthand user to talk to!

Mine feels very sturdy -- the glass is quite thick. I wouldn't hammer nails in with it, but I don't feel that I have to gently set it down on cotton wool either. Mine has survived being carried to and from work in my rucksack, but obviously it's still glass and one sharp knock could shatter it.

The glass does feel warm to the touch when filled, so is losing heat. With the lid on it holds a reasonable temperature for, I'd estimate, at least half an hour or even an hour. Your tea will be quite strong by then, though!

If you choose a design other than the fish or the tree, I'd love to see a photo of the characters so that I can decipher them.

[depravitea]

Tealeaf is right on with the answers. They do seem very sturdy, but I don't let myself forget that it's made of glass. Victoria gave a really nice rubber band tip which I've been using, although it's sturdy, it can also be very slippery, and it will not win in a fight against the floor.
I agree with Tealeaf concerning the heat question as well. 30-60 minutes, but as I mentioned before, since you don't drink the bottom third, your thermos will never get as hot as the first time you put in water, so every time thereafter it will be just over room temp, give or take. Hope that helps

[Drax]

Awesome, thanks for all the postings and info. I think I might have to check this out, too! It'd be great to be able to use a lot of my green tea at work, especially since it's aging rapidly!

[hoverpumpkin]

I just ordered it! (I did get the fish - it was between that one and the dragon, but it's just so adorable how the fish look like they are swimming around in the tea, I couldn't resist.) I plan to use this for my three-hour seminar classes. I'm in the anthropology department, and like most anthropology departments they put us in a very drafty, mostly disused building (heh) so I definitely am going to want warm beverages throughout the winter - and we have a water dispenser with a "hot" setting, so I should be able to do resteeps all evening long.

I'm super excited about getting this and it's so gorgeous. I won't need to take any pictures, since that's been thoroughly covered (and to great effect, since it convinced me to buy one), but I will post a review after I've used it a couple of times.

[depravitea]

I just ordered it! (I did get the fish - it was between that one and the dragon, but it's just so adorable how the fish look like they are swimming around in the tea, I couldn't resist.) I plan to use this for my three-hour seminar classes. I'm in the anthropology department, and like most anthropology departments they put us in a very drafty, mostly disused building (heh) so I definitely am going to want warm beverages throughout the winter - and we have a water dispenser with a "hot" setting, so I should be able to do resteeps all evening long.

I'm super excited about getting this and it's so gorgeous. I won't need to take any pictures, since that's been thoroughly covered (and to great effect, since it convinced me to buy one), but I will post a review after I've used it a couple of times.

Yeah the fish one is great, glad you got one, you'll love it. I use it during my 10 hour shifts and as long as there is enough leaf, it'll keep giving you tea. I only put in tea once a day, in the morning.
Get yourself a couple rubber bands as well, that's one slippery fish.
Ok, I apologize for the lame joke. I look forward to your review!

What sample set did you choose?

[hoverpumpkin]

I got the green tea sampler, figuring that would be the best kind to actually use in the thermos. Blue Jade Phoenix sounds interesting, and I can always use more Dragonwell. Which one did you get? I hope it's good - as if I need more tea suppliers.

I'm a sucker for oolongs. Anybody happen to know any oolongs that are lightly oxidized enough to work with the thermos method without getting bitter? That'll be my Holy Grail.

[depravitea]

I got the green tea sampler, figuring that would be the best kind to actually use in the thermos. Blue Jade Phoenix sounds interesting, and I can always use more Dragonwell. Which one did you get? I hope it's good - as if I need more tea suppliers.

I'm a sucker for oolongs. Anybody happen to know any oolongs that are lightly oxidized enough to work with the thermos method without getting bitter? That'll be my Holy Grail.

I got the same sample lol. Had the "yellow tea" last night, wasn't to impressed unfortunately.
I have had some Winter 08 Dong Ding from Floating Leaves in my thermos the past couple days, I've got no complaints

[Drax]

All right, well I went ahead and ordered one tonight. I went w/ the bamboo one, just to be different. That, and I like eating bamboo. Of course, I like eating fish, too, but I wasn't sure what dragon tasted like.

In any case, I will look forward to trying this out at work!

[theteascoop]

That would be a cute pun. Makes me kind of want that one.

[depravitea]

All right, well I went ahead and ordered one tonight. I went w/ the bamboo one, just to be different. That, and I like eating bamboo. Of course, I like eating fish, too, but I wasn't sure what dragon tasted like.

In any case, I will look forward to trying this out at work!

Nice, Drax!
Let me know what you think, post some photos if you have the ability/inclination.
What sample set did you select?

Oh, and Dragon tastes like chicken. Duh.

[Drax]

Nice, Drax!
Let me know what you think, post some photos if you have the ability/inclination.
What sample set did you select?

To be honest, I wasn't too thrilled by the tea selection... or at least, I was a bit befuddled by some of the names. For example, teas were modified by adjectives like "rich" or "light" or "soft" -- but no indication of what that means.

I did go ahead and get some white tea as well as some mao feng. I have plenty of tea here already, though, to use...

Will definitely get some pictures when it comes!

[depravitea]

I know what you mean. I was sent one that's described as green and yellow, and I don't believe it's a blend lol

Haven't tried it yet.

[hoverpumpkin]

I'm not thrilled with the tea either, nor with the setup of the tea section on the website. I'd go to look up a tea description from the sample pack, and it wouldn't be there. So I'm not exactly sure what I've got! But that's okay, we have plenty of tried and true sources for tea.

I got my thermos today and I am absolutely in love with it. It's gorgeous, for one, and it makes a mean cup of tea. I also like that because of the double layer, it keeps my hands nice and toasty warm, but it doesn't burn them off. It's PERFECT for class, and it's very pleasing to sip from - I like the way the lip of the glass is, it's just comfortable.

[Drax]

Ahh, my thermos came today. Very nifty!

Of course, now I embarrassingly realize that I'm not sure I know how to use this thing. I think what's throwing me off is the filter basket.

You put in the leaf and add water. Are you pouring out the tea when it's done, or drinking from the thermos?

What exactly is that basket for, and why does it have a little handle?

Ahhh, such simple, naive questions.