Last Chance to Preorder Roy's Book, Great Teas of China

Today is the last day for preordering copies of Roy's new book, Great Teas of China. We're expecting a shipment from the printer tomorrow so we can start fulfilling orders later this week! Roy has agreed to autograph all preorders, so if you'd like an autographed copy be sure to place your order before midnight Pacific time tonight.

If you do miss the deadline, we'll be holding an autograph event in our San Francisco Ferry Building teahouse later this month. We'll keep you posted here on the blog when it's scheduled.

Update on Roy's Book: We Expect to Ship Copies Next Week

We just heard from the printer that Roy's book, Great Teas of China, has been printed and shipped! That means it should arrive at our warehouse early next week. We'll start fulfilling pre-orders as soon as we receive copies. We'll also let you know when it's available in our teahouses. The book is a unique blend of Roy's personal insights and detailed factual information about all the teas it discusses. We can't wait to take the wraps off and share it with you!

Last chance for pre-orders is Monday, December 7. Roy will autograph all pre-ordered copies. Orders after Monday will be fulfilled from warehouse inventory and won't be autographed.

Tea Flicks: Red Cliff

The epic Chinese historial action movie Red Cliff (赤壁) arrived in theatres here in San Francisco a couple of weeks ago (nearly 18 months after premiering in China). Famed Hong Kong director John Woo's first Chinese movie since 1992 and, at $80 million, the most expensive Asian movie ever made, it's packed with martial arts; gory combat; larger-than-life buddy-heroes; top stars from Hong Kong, Taiwan, and the mainland; sly winks at some of the most famous scenes from Woo's earlier films; and - less predictably - lots of tea-drinking!

It turns out the Xiao Qiao character, played by Taiwanese model-turned-actress Lin Zhi Ling (pictured here), is quite expert at grinding cake tea into powder and whisking it up in a cha wan. (Close scrutiny of the credits reveals that the actress was trained by a tea expert.) Late in the movie, when she makes tea for arch-villain Cao Cao (veteran actor Zhang Feng Yi), we aren't sure if it's her tea or her lecture on brewing technique, covering such details as water and tea tools, that gives Cao Cao a terrible headache. In any case, he's indisposed long enough to give Xiao Qiao's husband Zhou Yu (mega-star Liang Chao Wei) enough of a military advantage to defeat Cao Cao.

I saw the Western version of Red Cliff, trimmed down to a mere 2.5 hours. The Asian release is in two parts totaling 4 hours or so, and probably contains even more tea scenes.

Many will watch Red Cliff because they're fans of John Woo. Others will enjoy the stunning scenery, epic battle scenes, historical narrative, host of charismatic stars, and sophistication of contemporary Chinese filmmaking. However, for some of us tea is the draw. It's gratifying to see a movie that's as serious about the tea history of 1,800 years ago as it is about the military history, and to watch a grand, complex plot - and the course of history - turn on a timely lecture about how to brew a good cup of tea.

Some Ceramics Basics for Tealovers

We've had some questions from customers lately about different categories of ceramics as they relate to teaware, and thought it might be useful to post a few guidelines. The history of Chinese ceramics and tea are closely intertwined, as many ceramic forms evolved to facilitate brewing tea. Porcelain was invented in China and Western scientists and artisans labored for centuries to duplicate it. They didn't start to get the knack until the 18th century.

A fair amount of present-day confusion occurs because (as often happens) Western and Chinese categories of ceramics don't match up. Chinese think of tao (陶), often translated "pottery" and generally comprising what in English would be called either stoneware or earthenware; and ci (瓷), usually translated "porcelain." Tao are less vitreous ceramics fired at lower temperatures, while ci signifies high-fired, more vitreous products that make a distinctive ringing tone when struck. Adding to the complexity, Chinese like to modify these generic nouns to add clarity, so they speak, for example, of bai ci (white porcelain), qing ci (celadon porcelain), and tao qi (tao ware). A general term for ceramics in Chinese is tao ci.

As usual, our Western definitions are more precise, with three broad categories. Here "porcelain" is high-fired and vitreous, with a white body. In addition, what's sometimes known as "true porcelain" is thin-bodied and translucent. True porcelain is contrasted with what's called simply "china," which also has a white body but is softer and heavier than true porcelain and, unlike it, can be cut with a file (not that this is a test you'd typically want to try on your favorite porcelain!).

Porcelain's impermeability means it's airtight, so it can be used to store loose tea. It won't absorb the essence of liquids it contains, therefore it's ideal for gaiwans, pitchers, teacups, and other teaware you may wish to use with multiple varieties of tea. Also, the thin body means it loses heat quickly, a desireable trait when you're brewing temperature-sensitive tea. Like other ceramics, porcelain may be glazed to decorate or strengthen the object, or left unglazed (bisque). When porcelain is glazed, the glaze is often clear to highlight its unique translucent character.

The second Western category, stoneware, is also high-fired and very hard, but only semi-vitreous with a heavier, opaque, colored body (often brown or gray). Yi xing teapots are an example of unglazed stoneware, whose slightly porous nature allows those pots to absorb the essence of tea that's brewed within. Stoneware's thicker body also helps to retain heat.

Finally, there's earthenware, which is fired at lower temperatures and is non-vitreous. Earthenware is made from clay with less silica, the substance that vitrifies during firing, so it's relatively soft and absorbent unless glazed. It has an opaque body that's easy to scratch, chip, or break. An inexpensive terracotta flowerpot is an example of unglazed earthenware, which generally isn't used for teaware.

Like tea, ceramics reward a lifetime of study. There are many fabrication techniques (molding, sculpting, throwing on a wheel); glazing, firing, and decoration options; clay additives; and other characteristics that skilled artisans can manipulate. Writing from the tea perspective, we can only say that ceramics and tea complement one another superbly, and knowledge and appreciation of one is sure to motivate interest in the other.

Latest Newsletter: Most Intriguing Tea & Teaware

We just sent our latest newsletter, focused on our Most Intriguing Tea and Teaware of 2009. By intriguing, we mean the items you clicked on most frequently on our web site and in our newsletters. If you're ready to kick off your holiday shopping you'll find some great suggestions!

Speaking of holiday shopping, shop in our online store before the end of the day Monday, November 30, and enter the coupon code HALFSHIP during checkout to receive half-price UPS Ground or USPS Priority Mail shipping on all domestic orders. It's one way we're saying Happy Holidays to all our favorite tea lovers!

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