Turkish Tea Glasses

$.75? online? where? *excited*

snipped-for-privacy@k70g2000cwa.googlegroups.com9/21/06

11: snipped-for-privacy@hotmail.com

Not on line, in an Arab grocery story under a mile from my house. They sell 'em in six packs. Michael

>

I think its funny how most people's most often used and prized possessions are the cheapest and most basic. I must have 10 sets of 4 smaller tea cups, some very old and expensive, some yixing, some yixing with white porcelain interiors, some celadon, some of almost every type... and what do I use? Small 3-4oz. 4 for a dollar thicker white Chinese teacups with a cheapy blue bamboo pattern on the outside that were given to me because they didn't sell at a yardsale of a neighbors but had never been used. They are the perfect weight, hold exactly the amount that my gaiwans produce, and feel good. It's actually a drag when for some reason I have to use the "nice" ones.

I've seen those at the middle eastern market near my work along with all their metal tea pariphernalia which makes me cringe.

- Dominic P.S. I shake my fist at you for living so near so much culture and readily accessible inexpensive vendors... as I sit here in Pittsburgh, the home of hot dogs, white bread, chipped ham samiches, Iron City beer, and unfortunately football.

So you finally got them! I was so angry at myself that I forgot to bring you a couple as I promised last time in February.

I am glad you like 'em. I always drink my black from armuddy. Try to put there 2-3 very fine shawings of lemon skin cut into long very thin slivers.

Sasha.

I live less than 10 miles from a Mosque with it's retail across the street. I just bought a six pack of tiny Turkish glass cups and glass saucers for $12. While not tulip shape they do have the little half heart shape piece of glass to hold by thumb and forefinger. I was thinking of Dominic but I got the last one for myself. Sorry. I also found the perfect little $6 pot for my tea blossoms. Also the last one unfortunately.

Jim

PS I th> snipped-for-privacy@k70g2000cwa.googlegroups.com9/21/06

Go on, rub it in :) I'm pretty well set for teacups of all sorts, so no worries. I'll just go back to my Miracle Whip, Chipped Ham sammich on Wonderbread and swill some Iron City. (speaking of which I'm guessing "chipped ham" is a regional thing, or do any of you know what it is?) Yinz, reddup, dahn-erh, gumband. (translated: you all, clean up, down there, and rubber band)

I'd kill for even a glimpse of culture around this city, but most likely it would be shunned, made fun of and then firebombed. Gotta love the 'burgh. I mean our "cultural district" has a 7-11 and a Chicago-style hot dog shop... what am I complaining about?!?

- Me

There are roughly two shape "types" - with more pronounced waist and less pronounced one. Both can be found here:

I prefer the first type and no rings (14.99) here but the 19.99 from Aida are also nice. Traditional saucers are NOT matching glass type - that is an attempt to satisfy euro-american "all-matching" concept. But they do sell the traditional saucers, which I very much recommend if you do need them (I do not):

The white light being reflected from the saucers beams up through the tea glass and makes for very attractive color display. Unfortunately I was not able to find crystal ones that I like best and use at home all the time. The light in these crystal cut armuddy and truly show the depth and shades of tea color and it looks gorgeous.

Sasha.

...and I thought we were the first !!! ;-)

Yes, we tend to drink all of our tea (again brewed in the gaiwan) from the same vessels - except ours were from Target @ $A3 each. As you commented, a good fit for both hand and mouth and I also think the tea stays hotter for a little longer (but I haven't proven this scientifically - not going to either !).

Cheers Mal Oz

In a universal quest for tea and thirst for knowledge - or vice versa - note that the coloquial Turkish name for the traditional tea glass is "ince beli" meaning slender waist. Standing on a traditional shiny metal saucer it shows off the color of Turkish tea very well - a color that they say should ideally be that of rabbit's blood though I have not personally made the comparison.

Nigel at Teacraft

messagenews:C137EDA6.43016% snipped-for-privacy@pipeline.com...

Another Bing Bang tea echo. You still in Georgia?

Jim

Nigel wrote:

No, Jim, not Georgia now though we still sell their handmade tea

and have recently developed a curious White Tea from Darkest Africa (hand made in Malawi) and just back yesterday from planting tea in Hawaii!

Nigel at Teacraft

[Nigel]

Hi Nigel,

An appropriate name for the glasses. They appear in six packs at our local Arab grocers -- that is, in our local Arab neighborhood -- for under a dollar each glass. I use them as a receiving vessel -- sharing vessel, if you will -- since they are the perfect size, and with a little practice, do not spill a drop. I also use them for red teas of all sorts since they are between the size of a traditional western cup and a Chinese style Gung-fu cup. Delightful to hold in the hand.

I should say here that those who've watched me pour and slosh tea all over the place trying to fill those little gung-fu cups saw my opening act. It's all under control now.

A little two or three ounce Gung Fu pot or gaiwan, a little Turkish ince beli, a couple little cups, and you're set. Personally, I love the opportunity to mess with styles, and the ince beli contributes greatly to my Gung Fu tea.

I use "GF" loosely, I know, I know.

BTW, no little silver saucers for me.

Michael

Here on the Big Island, perchance?

--Rich

We stray from Turkish Tea Glasses - but no, Rich, on Kauai Island. A

2,000 acre land subdivision development project which keeps 80% of the land for agriculture - tea, taro and cacao - see for some background - also Honolulu Advertiser last Sunday. My company advises on the tea side and with HI labor at USD 12 per hour we have some specialty tea streamlining to do to compete with India/Africa production at a dollar per day.

Nigel at Teacraft

Rich wrote:

messagenews: snipped-for-privacy@b28g2000cwb.googlegroups.com...

I am dying to know more about this white tea from africa. I have heard about it and even know a place to buy it online. Anyone who has had this tell me about it. Compare it to CHinese. Michael P. You love whites have you heard of these or have you tasted them????, Anxious in Texas, Jenn

snipped-for-privacy@i42g2000cwa.googlegroups.com10/20/06

18: snipped-for-privacy@hotmail.com

Hi Jenn,

I haven't tried African white teas. I've had fine experiences with Nigel's black teas from Kenya, Georgia, and Viet Nam.

I have tasted various white teas from Sri Lanka and India, but they pall/pale in comparison to their Chinese elder brothers. In fact, they are unlikeable. Others might well differ. One of the most beautiful leaf desplays en glass was one of those unlikeable Ceylons. I'd count to three before buying another white tea from a strange and foreign land.

Michael

Michael,

Believe me these Malawi White Teas will not disappint if you taste them without preconceived notions. Palest apricot in the liquor colour, sweet and smooth on the tongue, sometimes a hint of fruit and often a rose like aroma in the liquor. And the infusion, after the liquor is decanted, particularly if trapped and sniffed from under a gaiwan lid has definite flowery rosey aroma - which develops with multiple steepng. Some of the cultivars (we are trialling nearly a dozen) have cedar and wintergreen notes too. These colors and tastes and aromas you most certainly do not get with a Chinese White Tea - but they sure as hell intrigue me.

Let me have your address off line and I will send you a sample.

Nigel at Teacraft

snipped-for-privacy@k70g2000cwa.googlegroups.com10/23/06

08: snipped-for-privacy@teacraft.com

Thanks, Nigel. I'll keep my mind open.Your description sounds like something quite different from the Ceylons I'd tasted. Very exciting developments. Michael