I'm getting the Thanksgiving decorations out.
This is the teapot I use during November.
I love the oak leaves and acorns around the lid.
I'm having a cup of Tazo Wild Sweet Orange tea today while I go over some museum notes.
The *new* (remodeled and in a new space) China gallery is now open and that means I need to rethink my food and feast tour. I've found that it doesn't matter whether I'm giving a tour to adults or to children, if I can tell them a good story they'll remember the piece I'm talking about or will at least remember their trip to the museum!
One of the stories I came across is about Oolong tea. The name Oolong dates back to before the Ming Dynasty when it was still an unnamed bush. One day when the bush was in full blossom a tea planter picked some of its leaves and tried making a tea with them. He drank some and also offered it to his neighbors. His neighbors were particularly delighted with the tea, so the tea planter invited them to name the tea. One morning at dawn, a tea picker saw a black snake silently coiled around a branch of the unnamed bush. When the tea picker drew near, it slid away. Remembering the snake and thinking that it was attracted by the delicious aroma of the tea leaves, the neighbors called the tea Wu-long. "Wu" means black and "Long" means dragon or snake. (In Chinese the same word is used for dragons and snakes.) The name, black dragon tea, has been used ever since, by growers and connoisseurs alike.
That's just one of the stories. I have so many to choose from!
There are many tea parties in blogland.
Wishing you well, a JOY filled day, and a wonderful cup of tea.
"Teatime is by its very nature a combination of small luxuries arranged in social symmetry. And although tea for one is certainly a fine thing, the addition of a circle of dear friends to share it with ensures the whole is larger than its parts." ~Author Unknown
21 comments:
That is an awesome and unique teapot. Love it!
An interesting story about Oolong, Snap. Do you volunteer at the museum each week?
Pretty, and I love the mosaic montage!
Thanks for the story. Snakes you can have but the tea is a keeper. Love your tea pot too.
you have such interesting things. I'm trying to figure out how I missed that you have a museum. That's really cool!
Thanks for the story about the name Oolong!
Knowing a fact like that makes choosing tea even more interesting. I'll think of the black dragon the next time I choose oolong.
very informative post! thanks for sharing and your teapot just lovely! unique too!
I was reading your post and I did a little break to prepare a tea! :)
Adorable teapot there, you are always elegant with your stuffs and thanks for sharing this story.
a nice Tuesday,
Léia
A great story and a great pot! I think your tea pot is perfect for the season and how nice you can "mark" it for use in autumn.
I love me a good dragon story as much as I love me a good cuppa!
So That's where the name came from! Smiles. The turkey in the background of your photo has me in grins. What a jolly charmer to put out every fall. Take care.
your Tea pot is lovely!
Hugs
Oh, I love that bit of history behind the tea, and I love your teapot. When I lived in Hong Kong there was a Tea Museum in the middle of Hong Kong Park. It was fascinating. Room after room of amazing Antique teapots and teacups and the history. Then you entered a room filled to the brim with old books all talking about the heritage of tea and China. I still miss it.
There is something so soothing about a cup of tea. Now I will go put the kettle on. Thanks for the inspiration.
karen
Oh I love that teapot. It's Friendly Village, right? I have it and I have not used it. You jusr gave me an idea for next week's Tea parties. Thanks! Your photos are beautiful!...Christine
Beautiful teapot! I don't think I'll ever think of Oolong tea the same way unless I go with the dragon name and not the snake!
Your teapot is beautiful. I love the brown with the touches of pale blue in the pattern.
That was an interesting story about oolong tea.
Very pretty tea pot!
Hi! I am visiting from Martha's and Terri's Tea Cup Tuesday. It is the perfect teapot for November. Your tea sounds divine. Thank you for sharing. Also thank you for stopping by and leaving such sweet words. I do appreciate it. *hugs*
The teapot is very nice, but the treasure in this post is the story, and a fine story it is. I love stories like this and would be entranced by your stories should I visit the museum and have you as my docent.
Dragons and snakes are the same word in Chinese? The biblical snake from the garden of Eden is likened to the dragon...interesting, very interesting.
you're inspiring me to run out and buy some new tea. love the story about the tea. i just returned from China a few days ago, i should have grabbed some Oolong Tea! darn it!
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