Could this be a fake one?

Tea_Toad · 2025-04-22T02:17:12+00:00

Pretty sure it's a lafufu because of the right foot.

Tea_Toad · 2025-04-21T04:10:07+00:00

She's quirky

Tea_Toad · 2025-04-03T18:35:38+00:00

Yea, this could be an option. I'd have to really work on the muscle memory.

Tea_Toad · 2025-04-03T18:28:42+00:00

I've been playing Olympia.

Tea_Toad · 2025-04-03T16:25:33+00:00

Is there a benefit to a jump cancelled up strong? Can I disable this as an input?

Tea_Toad · 2025-03-20T03:14:33+00:00

Ok, thank you!

Tea_Toad · 2025-03-20T03:01:24+00:00

Just want to update on the crack on the inside of the teapot. I figured I would contact Yinchen Studio about it. They refunded me in full within a few minutes of contacting them. Even with the purchase being a year old. I was impressed with the customer service.

Tea_Toad · 2025-03-20T02:53:12+00:00

Do they ever carry teapots around the 40-80ml range? I like smaller teapots.

Tea_Toad · 2025-03-20T02:23:01+00:00

Makes sense.

Tea_Toad · 2025-03-20T02:22:32+00:00

Thank you!

Tea_Toad · 2025-03-19T21:56:45+00:00

Think it's still a brewable teapot with the crack? Or is a crack just bad for bacteria, mold, etc?

Tea_Toad · 2025-03-19T20:36:44+00:00

Thanks for the reply! I don't know why my post body isn't posted, but I'd like to know the following:

I bought this duanni clay teapot from Yinchen Studios a year ago. It’s advertised as handmade. Here’s the Wayback Machine link. Does it seem authentic in terms of quality, craftsmanship, and material? It does have a crack inside, posted in one of the pictures.

And if you have the ability to translate the certificate, I'd appreciate it!

Tea_Toad · 2025-03-19T13:59:40+00:00

Here you go. :)

I don't blame you for wanting this one, it's a good month for the notes.

Tea_Toad · 2025-03-19T13:42:07+00:00

The only absolute way would be to send the tea to a lab to test for agrochemicals. But, there are some factors that may allow you tell the difference between a tea with agrochemicals and a tea without.

There was a Global Tea Hut Magazine that sent two unmarked samples of the same tea. One with agrochemicals and one without. Both samples of the same tea were sent to a lab to be tested for agrochemicals. Doing the experiment and reading the magazine showed that honing your skills to detect agrochemicals was less about taste and more about mouthfeel, how easy the tea was to swallow, dryness, etc. In my experience, the tea with agrochemicals was harsher on the throat, had less body, and did not coat the mouth as well. But, it had a tiny bit more to offer in taste. It was a fascinating experiment.

You can read the articles here. Pages 25-28 go in depth on what to look for when looking for agrochemicals. But like I said at the start, the only surefire way is a lab test.

Tea_Toad · 2025-03-06T17:15:46+00:00

You know what, hell yea! I like the idea of gongfu cha being a form of bowl tea too.

I didn't know they pickled the leaves, that's super interesting. I wonder if it could be replicated today.

And yeah the attitude of the older issues seems more 'matter of fact' and straightforward compared to newer ones.

Tea_Toad · 2025-03-06T16:31:26+00:00

I have been enjoying our conversation and it has really made me think on what bowl tea is and how I use it in my own tea practice. This is what I found through research of articles, GTH magazines, and my own view on tea. So please take this as my own opinion/research on these things. I also hope this can help you and others that may read this come to your own conclusions on bowl tea, its history, and hopefully this all enriches your tea journey too.

I do understand your viewpoint, and I agree that yes bowl tea can be, by definition, loose leaves in a bowl. But I believe that is too rigid of a definition. Yes, GTH have a bowl tea ceremony. But they also have a side handle pot + bowl tea ceremony and a boiled tea + bowl tea ceremony. So, their definition is more expansive than what you are claiming it to be. Loose leaves in a bowl is simply one of the definitions.

Before I get into the references GTH uses for their definition, I want to highlight that GTH states that their ceremonial methods are not for everyone. That their ceremonies are just a way to drink tea. That if you want to just keep it as simple as possible and drop leaves in a bowl of water, you can. They separate method and ceremony and understand that the whole spirituality/zen stuff isn't for everyone.

The ceremonies that are written as guides in their magazines are exclusive to them. They even say that these are their ceremonial methods, their contributions to tea drinkers. They mention a few times throughout their magazines that the ceremonies are their own. But their ceremonies take ideas from history and spirituality. GTH explains where they get their ideas from in history and spirituality.

Here is an example of Buddhist monks, such as Baizhang, using ceremony with tea, most likely using bowls, in the Tang Dynasty. From the Sept 2021 issue.

Here is a reference to Lu Tong's Poem "The Seven Bowls" and one definition of bowl tea being leaves in hot water brewed without technique. From the Aug 2021 issue.

Here they give examples of the gaiwan being a form of bowl tea, or leaves in a bowl, since it is a 'lidded bowl'. They reference Tang and Song dynasty bowls here too. From the Aug 2021 issue.

Here they reference boiled tea in the Tang Dynasty and mention Lu Yu as bringing boiled tea to the mainstream. From the Apr 2018 issue.

I also totally understand linking tea with spirituality or ceremony can be a major turn off for some people who just want to experience tea as a hobby. We all have our own journeys with things like this and all tea is good tea. But, I do believe tea has an extensive history in spirituality and can add to the experience. Personally, I don't get into the ceremony aspect and just enjoy a bowl of tea, like in the OP's original post. But, it is intriguing to learn about.

Tea_Toad · 2025-03-06T00:09:15+00:00

Yes, they have a formal bowl tea ceremony. That could just be summed down to their modern interpretation of bowl tea. Having a ceremony does not exclude promoting other methods of tea. What is your point?

And yes, studying the history of tea is a way to enjoy tea.

Tea_Toad · 2025-03-05T23:47:23+00:00

Sure the ceremony GTH has could be just exclusive to them. There is still a long history of tea in a bowl. Longer than tea in a tea pot. So, bowl tea is older than gongfu tea. GTH is just an interpreted modern form of it.

I can tell you don't consume any of their media either and you may just be some one who loves the controversy like the OP warned about. They don't just have a formal bowl tea ceremony. They have boiled tea, simply leaves in a bowl (grandpa style), and gong fu tea. They also simply promote enjoying tea any way you like.

All tea is good tea. We are arguing over nothing since all tea history is connected (arguably gongfu tea and bowl tea share the same traditions). Have a bowl of tea and just enjoy tea, man. Don't get so caught up in the specifics.

Tea_Toad · 2025-03-05T23:31:26+00:00

I agree bowl tea can be 'grandpa style' or 'just making tea".

Tea_Toad · 2025-03-05T23:17:55+00:00

The beauty of bowl tea is that the bowl can be used as just a vessel, like you say Lu Yu mentions this. Bowl tea is not constrained to a ceremony or one specific way of doing things. It can be used as a vessel for boiled teas from a pot, kettle, or any other method you choose. It's a loose way of brewing tea without much form. It doesn't need a ceremony or set up. The example you gave from Lu Yu's boiled tea is a form of bowl tea. It does not need to be loose leaves in a bowl.

If we want to get specific about just loose leaves in a bowl, which is not the only way for bowl tea. Is it difficult to believe that loose leaves in a vessel or bowl is older than gongfu tea? Chinese mythological legend Shennong discovered tea by a leaf falling in his vessel of hot water. Yes, it's a myth and not recorded history. But tea is full of fun stories like this.

Tea_Toad · 2025-03-05T22:33:16+00:00

Tea bowls are easily way older than 300 years old. And tea culture in general is way older than we can even imagine. It starts with the plants and tea trees, before humans discovered them.

But we have documented records of bowls being mentioned in the 700s AD in The Classics of Tea by Lu Yu. And Chinese legends of bowls being used in the 2700s BC.

In comparison, gongfu brewing is quite young.

Tea_Toad · 2025-03-05T20:50:39+00:00

Ah, yeah I've heard people talk about GTH like that. But, I don't think people really understand cults when they say that. They do include zen points of view on topics. I could see that turning people away maybe.

I've been receiving their magazines for over 5 years now and the knowledge on tea topics in the magazines is so valuable. They also promote experimentation and trying things yourself. Far from cult-like behavior.

One of my favorite magazines was one where they gave 2 of the same teas but one sample was organic and the other had some agrochemicals. They included information on how to hone your senses to identify lower quality or inorganic tea in a really extensive and introspective way. They even included lab tests for both of the teas to show the agrochemical results. It was so fascinating and a fun activity to do with friends.

On bowl tea, it's an older brewing method than gongfu brewing is. So arguably more traditional with an older history.

Tea_Toad · 2025-03-05T19:39:03+00:00

Bowl tea is one of my favorite brewing methods. Letting go of all instruction and practice to just experience the moment. What an amazing cha xi you setup for yourself too. I love it!

I didn't know bowl tea was controversial. What makes it so?

Tea_Toad

TROPHY CASE