Explain your avatar

[Silent One]

Black Pearl Gaiwan (A lidded Tea Bowl), my favorite out of my collection at home. Design period from Ming Dynasty 1638-1644.
 
 

 

[manveru]

Quote:

Black Pearl Gaiwan (A lidded Tea Bowl), my favorite out of my collection. From Ming Dynasty 1638-1644.

 
This is my favorite of your avatars I've seen so far. That is absolutely BEAUTIFUL. I have several of these types of cups at home that I drink tea out of, but nothing like that. Ming Dynasty? Seriously? That's amazing!

 

[Silent One]

Quote:

Quote:

Black Pearl Gaiwan (A lidded Tea Bowl), my favorite out of my collection. From Ming Dynasty 1638-1644.

 
This is my favorite of your avatars I've seen so far. That is absolutely BEAUTIFUL. I have several of these types of cups at home that I drink tea out of, but nothing like that. Ming Dynasty? Seriously? That's amazing!

 
Thanks for the compliment. They are a beautiful thing to hold... caress... and sip from with enjoyment. If I remember correctly, I bought it some moons ago from Dragon Tea House, Shanghai, China.

 

[Tilpo]

This is my favorite of your avatars I've seen so far. That is absolutely BEAUTIFUL. I have several of these types of cups at home that I drink tea out of, but nothing like that. Ming Dynasty? Seriously? That's amazing!

I concur, that looks amazing.

I have a small ceramic cup with characters on it that are supposed to look Chinese, but they're just random doodling.
Then again, I paid 80ct's for it.

Is it just me, by the way, or does tea really taste better from cups without a handle? I don't know why, but there is something annoying about holding a handle instead of just bracing the entire cup when drinking tea.

 

[kiteki]

That teacup...
 
Inspired me to watch The Cronicles of Riddick, and Kung-Fu Hustle.

 

[dragoonv]

Rainie Yang

 

[Silent One]

Quote:

That teacup...
 
Inspired me to watch The Cronicles of Riddick, and Kung-Fu Hustle.

 

[manveru]

Quote:

Is it just me, by the way, or does tea really taste better from cups without a handle? I don't know why, but there is something annoying about holding a handle instead of just bracing the entire cup when drinking tea.

 
Mmm...so warm. The most fun is when you hold and operate an entire gaiwan with one hand.
 
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Kung-Fu Hustle.

 
Greatest. Movie.

 

[Tilpo]

Mmm...so warm. The most fun is when you hold and operate an entire gaiwan with one hand.

I've never even seen a gaiwan in my life, so I wouldn't know.

 

[Silent One]

Quote:

Quote:

This is my favorite of your avatars I've seen so far. That is absolutely BEAUTIFUL. I have several of these types of cups at home that I drink tea out of, but nothing like that. Ming Dynasty? Seriously? That's amazing!

I concur, that looks amazing.

I have a small ceramic cup with characters on it that are supposed to look Chinese, but they're just random doodling.
Then again, I paid 80ct's for it.

Is it just me, by the way, or does tea really taste better from cups without a handle? I don't know why, but there is something annoying about holding a handle instead of just bracing the entire cup when drinking tea.

 
Thanks, Tilpo. I find handling the bowl to be at once soothing and sensual, giving me an opportunity to connect in the moment. 

 

[Silent One]

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Quote:

Mmm...so warm. The most fun is when you hold and operate an entire gaiwan with one hand.

I've never even seen a gaiwan in my life, so I wouldn't know.

 

 (Unable to speak, 'Silent One' remains... silent... for a hot minute.)
 
You should buy one if only for your adventure and enjoyment. 

 

[Tilpo]

:eek:  (Unable to speak, 'Silent One' remains... silent... for a hot minute.)

You should buy one if only for your adventure and enjoyment. 

I read on Wikipedia that you infuse the tea inside the cup. Doesn't it get too strong that way?
I personally find it more convenient to steep the tea in one pot, and then pour it over into another.

If I ever see one, I'll buy it.

 

[kiteki]

We are all so cultured discussing how to infuse tea in teacups from the Ming dynasty while listening to Jade headphones with emerald cables.

 

[manveru]

Quote:

I read on Wikipedia that you infuse the tea inside the cup. Doesn't it get too strong that way?
I personally find it more convenient to steep the tea in one pot, and then pour it over into another.
If I ever see one, I'll buy it.

 
I don't know too much about the proper ways it's supposed to be used, but I think it functions like a pot. You steep the tea in it and then pour it into another cup. Or you drink straight out of it and use the lid to try and hold back the leaves while you drink. Sometimes I steep in another pot and then pour into the gaiwan just to make it more challenging, haha.

 

[Silent One]

Quote:

Quote:

 (Unable to speak, 'Silent One' remains... silent... for a hot minute.)

You should buy one if only for your adventure and enjoyment. 

I read on Wikipedia that you infuse the tea inside the cup. Doesn't it get too strong that way?
I personally find it more convenient to steep the tea in one pot, and then pour it over into another.

If I ever see one, I'll buy it.

 
This can happen if one is not careful and/or slow to drink. But, it also depends on how strong or delicate your leaves are as well. The Gaiwan was designed to be a one-stop vessel, brew & sip. Here's how I overcome - I simply use two Gaiwans. Brew in one and then pour in another. But I tend to drink delicate green or white teas. And they're suppose to only be made warm not hot. Even if I'm dilly dallying, reading Head-Fi instead of sipping, my drink doesn't last that long. 
 
And there's always refills.... 

. Admittedly, I miss the brushing of leaves back with the lid. Different sizes are available too. A smaller one could help you avoid over steeping as well.
 
If you ever get one, I hope you let us know.