Wednesday TeaDay 7/15/09 TeaGeography lessons?

[Chip]

Good TeaDay everyone. Please come in and share what is in your cup today.

Yesterday responders indicated a desire to learn about their fave teaware. You can still vote and discuss yesterday's topic.

Today's TeaPoll and discussion topic. Do you desire to learn about the region or at least country of your favorite tea? Why or why not? Please share something you have learned or would like to learn.

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

Speaking of Teaware, be sure to check out the Official Hagi Special Offer #3

[Salsero]

I am certainly more interested in China, Japan, and India because of my interest in tea, but I haven't gotten to the point of wanting to travel there more than other places, and I haven't really sought out more information about those countries aside from tea info. Although ... as time goes on, every few months a tea tour of parts of China sounds more tempting than it used to.


(Click the photo for a closer look.)

[olivierco]

My interests in tea and learning about a country aren't correlated.

Himalaya gold this morning.

[Jack_teachat]

I agree with Sal, although I really would like to visit Japan.

Started the day with Spring 09 Silver Needle from Jing (UK)

Jack

[clareandromeda]

o-cha miyabi today, very lovely. I had to force myself not to go gyo today...can't make it a daily habit. I def have always wantd to go to Japan, the more I get into tea the more I want to see the culture/production more. Ohhh and all the teaware to see...... and buy.

[Herb_Master]

I don't necessarily disagree with the sentiment expressed by Sal and his 2 immediate supporters, I started feeling like that too.

But the scenery in Wuyi Shan has definitely got me interested in visiting China.

More to the point however is when does learning about how to brew the tea, start to become learning about the country. I particularly feel the need in the case of Oolong to learn the differences between the 4 main production areas.

This is driven home most pointedly when you consider the Chao Zhou brewing methods of Guangdong - what is it about the lifestyle in Guangdong that makes such a difference to the way in which tea is appreciated. Or to appreciate brewing the way the old men of Chao Zhou do, do I just need 40 years tea drinking experience, or maybe start eating the same foods as them.

A visit to Wuyi maybe far too Tourist Oriented, but would a visit to the rolling hills of Anxi help me even more to appreciate the nuances of a top class TGY.

[Drax]

I enjoy learning about the different areas in China, but I've been studying the Japanese language and culture long before I got involved with tea. In fact, if I went back to Japan sometime soon, tea would consume <1% of the purpose of my trip.

Still oolonging along....

[Trey Winston]

I generally like learning about geography, and tea spurs me to seek out information on certain tea-related areas. I'm looking at you, Fujian province.

Battling a cold today, so Keemun it is.

[Artemis]

I don't know. I have so many teas that I'd rather not waste time on learning when I could be tasting! Typical American. Oh well.

[Selaphiel]

I came to tea through my interest in Asian culture. So yes, my interest in tea correlates with my interest in Asian culture. As far as I'm concerned, Asian culture and tea can not be separated very easily.
Although it is a coincidence that my favorite type of tea and main country of interest correlates (Japanese greens and Japan, especially Uji teas).

Having some Tai Ping Hou Kui (no, not the genuine 100-200$+ per 100g stuff) at the moment.

[JP]

Everything goes hand in hand. I have already had an interest in other cultures, and travel for that matter. My increasing enjoyment of tea relates to that by giving me specific locations that I want to focus on.

[Victoria]

I like learning general knowledge about a tea area, but not a lot more.
I would prefer to learn of it by visiting, much more then reading about it.

In my cup this morning - Shan Lin Shi 2009 from Camellia Sinensis

Have a nice day everyone!

[brad4419]

I agree with Victoria, Its interesting to learn some about the region my tea comes from(if its interesting) but I dont really care much about things like when the factory was made or other little things like that. I learn about the region by tasting there tea.

peach Oolong today

[sriracha]

I'd say my interest in tea and interest in the countries it's produced in does not go hand in hand...I am, however, interested in the countries of the far east quite apart from tea.

I think I have soaked up a good deal of knowledge of the countries in question through reading about tea, though.

Two cups of low grade Yunnan so far today, a bit depressing really(the amount, not the tea in itself).