Any affordable matcha sets around?

what is the scientific explanation of pouring tea on clay teapot would make it shiny.. and why it taste better on clay teapot than porcelain.. hmm.. anyone can explain..im curious and would wanna learn..

taste better is because it is kept warmer for longer periods. tea in porcelain loses heat faster than tea in clay. scientifically proven. i measured before also last time.
hot tea is better to drink than cold tea and therefore the temperature is the main factor here of why it tastes better.

my sifus told me the same thing so i decided to try it out lor.

i think it's vice versa...porcelain keep better heat because it glaze i guess, not air penetrate able while clay density is low and have a lot of small holes. Air trap inside can go out (so call breath). On top of that bcos clay have a lot of mineral, it will be mixed with the tea and give better taste. Why clay pot become shinny it's all bcos of tea residual that contain very light oil, this oil will reflect light like glaze porcelain.(dirty ).

the porcelain pots and the clay pots gave me those readings. althought i'm not a fan of clay but the temperature reading of the water is higher than my more expensive porcelain pots. maybe i should try out more clay stuffs. i only have 2 clay. the rest is fine bone and porcelain and pyrex glass.

Tacha's custom made teapot for y2012 is finally out. This year they have 4 teapot in a set. Total 30 sets. It is not necessary to purchase by set. They do sell it in loose.



It comes in 4 different clay
-Di Cao Qing (right)
-Qing Hui Ni (bottom)
-Lao Duan (left)
-Zhu Ni (top)

Clay are from the studio's oldest stored clay from 90s. Top grade stuff. Teapots are very high fired.

This year, the shop got an artist to do the carving too. The 4 designs are based on Chinese phrase. Something to do with 4 gentlemen represented in chrysanthemum, orchid, bamboo, plum (iirc). I will ask them again for the proper name.

All the pots are using the same mold but shrinkage is very obvious. According to them, the purer the clay the shrinkage ratio is higher.



From largest (top) to smallest (down). Guestimates should be 220ml to 180ml. I will measure it next time.
-Di Cao Qing (right)
-Qing Hui Ni (bottom)
-Lao Duan (left)
-Zhu Ni (top)

The teapot texture feels good when touch. Workmanship is good. Semi handmade. Multi-hole.

Only 1 month and they have sold 23 sets. I have earlier reserved a set but didn't want to collect today. I wanna wait to collect on 12/12/12. Memorable day to bring home this beautiful set

Tacha has also invited 8 top teapot artist to give a talk at their shop this Sat 2pm. I will try to snap photos and do some coverage. Let me know if you guys wanna join.

This post has been edited by auhckw: Dec 11 2012, 11:21 PM

how much per pot?

Went to Cameron and got this limited edition Boh tea at their plant in sg palas.

Got these today on 12/12/12 from 大茶树记 (dà chá shù jì) aka Tacha, a local teashop here in Malaysia that specialized in producing own teapots, selling first factory teapots, artist teapots and premium puerh.



Teapot shape: 一粒珠 (yī lì zhū)

Teapot design: Based on 四君子 (sì jūn zǐ) - Four Gentlemen
What? http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Four_Gentlemen

Each teapot has carving that represents 1 of the 4 plants. There are 4 plants, therefore 4 teapots.

This series is the only y2012 production. Total 30 sets. Took them almost 1 year to get it done.

Clay used are from 90s, the finest grade and oldest stored clay from the studio that made it.

All are high fired at 1190c except 老段 (lǎo duàn) which is 1200c.

The teapots are semi handmade using the same mold but size differs due to shrinkage. Multi-hole inside. Bottom is like this:

The chop is the shop's name

Size (Left to Right):

青灰泥 (qīng huī ní) - 200ml
底槽青 (dǐ cáo qīng) - 200ml
老段 (lǎo duàn) - 180ml
朱泥 (zhū ní) - 160ml

Carving:

青灰泥 (qīng huī ní) - 200ml
梅 (méi) – Plum Blossom


底槽青 (dǐ cáo qīng) - 200ml
兰 (lán) – Orchid


老段 (lǎo duàn) - 180ml
竹 (zhú) – Bamboo


朱泥 (zhū ní) - 160ml
菊 (jú) – Chrysanthemum


Loving them

My set!


Attached thumbnail(s)

Very nice dedicated place for tea

Thks auhckw, I hav called Ta culture tea to reserve one set for me. She said they costs ard 1700++

Congrats. It is a beauty set. Clay and workmanship are good.

Btw, your price cheaper than my price... hmm...

i wanna buy just one how much?

1 = rm550. After disc RM500

ok got time i go..still have stock?

Should have. Try come this Sat 2pm

Auhckw, u go sat? I m going on Sunday, would like to meet u if possible. U r the guru.

No guru ler.

I'm going Sat from 1:30 to 5pm. The artists giving talk and showcasing/selling their products from 2pm. So wanna check them out.

so geng. if free i will join you hehehe. now injured bitten by dog.