Today's MatchaWan :D (new name, but tea's the same)

[Victoria]

A regular whisk works fine, but you really need a thermometer. The water may have been too hot still.

[LauraW]

How big is this bowl? Looks like a lot of liquid in it. I usually make 2-4 ounces. 4 ounces if it is a lower priced version like Kaze.

This was 3oz of water, so I'm gonna go with ~4oz to the brim of the bowl.

And Victoria, I was thinking about that - I'll try to go out and get a thermometer this weekend (between house-hunting and catching up from being out of town last weekend, and just generally trying to get about 20 more things done than I have time to do )

[Chip]

How big is this bowl? Looks like a lot of liquid in it. I usually make 2-4 ounces. 4 ounces if it is a lower priced version like Kaze.

This was 3oz of water, so I'm gonna go with ~4oz to the brim of the bowl.

And Victoria, I was thinking about that - I'll try to go out and get a thermometer this weekend (between house-hunting and catching up from being out of town last weekend, and just generally trying to get about 20 more things done than I have time to do )

While you are out, go to the local Chasen and Chawan Store!

When you do get a Chawan (or whatever) that you value, you will not want to use a metal whisk anymore (assuming your current whisk is metal). Plus Chasen-s are way cool!

I would also recommend an electronic digital thermometer like Taylor or Polder which will usually run 15-20 bucks. They are worth the price.

Good luck with the house hunting. (make sure it has an authentic Japanese tearoom!)

[LauraW]

While you are out, go to the local Chasen and Chawan Store!

When you do get a Chawan (or whatever) that you value, you will not want to use a metal whisk anymore (assuming your current whisk is metal). Plus Chasen-s are way cool!

I would also recommend an electronic digital thermometer like Taylor or Polder which will usually run 15-20 bucks. They are worth the price.

Good luck with the house hunting. (make sure it has an authentic Japanese tearoom!)

I don't know that we have anything local as far as decent teaware; only 2 real tea shops that I know of, neither of them focus on wares - I'll try to look at the asian market next time I'm there, but I don't recall seeing anything decent. Thermometer + chasen = first priority; wan is somewhat secondary. I hate tight budgets.

And as for the tearoom, unfortunately with our budget, my boyfriend wants to include massage room on the list of must-haves, and who am I to argue with the ability to get at-home massages?! At least I can still use the kitchen/dining table for tea.

[Victoria]

Many of us here got thermometers from Amazon. They have some decent prices. If you re-order from Den's - check out their matcha wares.

[Geekgirl]

And as for the tearoom, unfortunately with our budget, my boyfriend wants to include massage room on the list of must-haves, and who am I to argue with the ability to get at-home massages?! At least I can still use the kitchen/dining table for tea.

Massage decor lends itself nicely to a tearoom. I assume you have a folding table, so find yourself a lovely little drop-leaf and set it in front of the window, with your tea accouterments. Then when you are not using the room for massage, it can be set up as a little tearoom/retreat. The same things that are restful and eyepleasing in a tearoom will be good for massage decor.

Best of both!

[Seeker]

Hi Everyone!
Sorry for my absence - wedding planning/logistics trip, and just returned.
(whew. )
Wonderful sharings of matcha and wan! Blairswh..., Chip, Laura! Yay!
Wonderful, just wonderful.
Laura - I would say a chasen for me is a must. I admire your adventuring spirit in whisking with a metal whisk! And that's a mighty fine foam you got there with your whisk. Woh!
I don't know if you've got a Whole Foods near you, but I've seen chasen there sometimes.

Today - Ikuyo in Cory Lum gingko.


Cheers.

[AdamMY]

I seem to be getting a new Chawan each month... here it is with the green fairy...

[LauraW]

Laura - I would say a chasen for me is a must. I admire your adventuring spirit in whisking with a metal whisk! And that's a mighty fine foam you got there with your whisk. Woh!
I don't know if you've got a Whole Foods near you, but I've seen chasen there sometimes.

I'll have to check out Whole Foods next time I'm there, but unfortunately it's all the way across town and I don't make it out that way often.
And as for the foam - I grew up making whipped cream by hand (admittedly, not all that often, but still...), so I'm used to the "whisk like mad until it looks right" theory (and thanks for the compliment!)

[Seeker]

Laura - yeah, I wondered about your whisking experience, and imagined you maybe making egg whites into souffle!

Adam - nice chawan! pretty.

[Seeker]

Today, mystery, gift matcha in a Robert Fornell shino chawan.


Cheers.
May conscious breaths come easy for you today.

[AdamMY]

Seeker,

Do you have other pictures of that Chawan? It looks great in the picture. I'm wondering what it looks like from other angles?

[Chip]

Conducted a tasting of 2 Matcha today along with the new celeb TeaChat spokesperson (see new Announcement subforum located at the top of the TC index along with the CONTEST announcement!) http://www.teachat.com/viewtopic.php?f=62&t=12429

First the Yame Kasumi from Zencha under the watchful eye of the spokesperson which made me a bit nervous at first. Served in a Littlepig teabowl that as it turns out holds exactly 4 ounces. So, premixed in the Korean spouted bowl to the right which is actually a Korean version of a Yuzamashi.


Next up the Korean Matcha from Hankook. The matcha powder is not a neon green, much more muted though to olive. Not unattractive but not as intensely colored as the Kasumi.


And thus the liquor was not as vibrantly colored as well.

[Seeker]

Nice shots Chip!
I'm intrigued & curious about who the spokesperson is!
And I see a little red, pointed something - was there a tea gnome with you at tea today, hiding behind the chawan?

[shyrabbit]

Seeker,
A very good observation...I think so(?)
Michael