would some one help me translate these Artistic tea names into english?

I look forward to your payment for my translation service.

Hi Lily,

You are right, when you translate a lot of things into English, they lose a lot of their meaning. Some things can't even be translated properly at all, no matter how hard you try. And it's not the fault of the translator, or bad English skills. It's just because of language differences. The way you express things in Chinese may be quite different than in English.

So basically, the only thing you can do is, just use the pinyin instead of english. Then, explain what the terms in pinyin should mean in English. And the description in english would probably be quite long, if you want the readers to understand the full meaning.

Or, you could just provide a very simple translation in English that doesn't catch the full meaning of the Chinese. But make sure what you translate into English sounds good in English.

Hope that helps.

Here is one English site that does a good presentation of their flowering teas:

Here is a Chinese site that does a good presentation of their handicraft teas:

I think in both cases the picture does the selling. I wished the English site had more Chinese information like the PinYin. I'm starting to buy Artisan teas from a vendor in Shanghai. I'm curious if it is more presentation than taste. The going price per ball(~6g) is about a buck and loose change for whatever arrangement in 50g lots. What started me on this journey was an inlaw who raved about such a tea she had only once. It was like okay Mister TeaGuy you don't know anything unless you can show me a flower in a teapot. I'm going to their place in July and guess what I'm taking besides a Puer wedding presentation box for their daughter?

Jim

PS I tend to side with Mydnight > > But how superficial usually their

Actually, I've heard many people say that buying these teas can be harmful to your health because they have to add certain things into the teas when making them; plastics to hold the shape of the "seed pod", dyes, etc. Most people I've talked to only view the teas and never drink them. I mean, it is just a bunch of flowers.

I have heard the same and have drank a few that I instantly picked up an "off" taste from that was a chemical taste. I have also had a few that were very good, but not mind-blowing. I think artisan teas are just a novelty, nothing more nothing less. Generally a novelty that ends up costing more than a high quality tea that produces a much better brew.

FWIW the one that sticks out in my mind as having the chemical taste was a lotus shaped lotus flavored green tea brought back from Bejing.

Also FWIW, I tend to find that the "elitest" or "Orientalism" stuff is found mainly online/forums/NG's/etc. Most all Chinese/Vietnamese/Korean/Japanese people I have met have been very helpful and while they may be a bit wary of the large American who attempts to speak their language and has a solid understanding of their culture, food, and tea they quickly warm up to me. I'm sure some folks who I genuinely thought liked me have ripped me off, but that is my fault not really theirs. I guess I fall somewhere in the middle of the debate (a rarity for me) I would be just as leary at first of a total outsider and stranger trying to discuss and express their knowledge of Italians, and our food and culture... but once I'd see they were genuine I would be fine with it and flattered. People are people, I don't think this is exclusive to the Chinese. Everyone likes to have some national pride, and think that their culture is too deep and difficult to share the full backstory on with an outsider who may not understand or appreciate it the way we do. We sell $5 bottles of junk Chianti at Italian restaurants for $25 to "outsiders" that we wouldn't give to a dog... same difference.

- Dominic

I'll send an email to the Shanghai vendor and ask him what he knows about artificial flavorings and color. It never occurred to me but I thought at the most the 'natural' flower would add a little taste. For example you can buy Jasmine and Osmanthus arrangements. My only experience so far is a jar of Fairy Peach green tea from Chinatown. However no flower appears when blossomed. It is one of my favorite green teas from China with multiple infusions. The price wasn't bad $10/170g for many pods.

Jim

PS Where there is tourism there is goug> Mydnight wrote: