En Kopp Zen

太平猴魁 Tai Ping Hou Kui for leadership and good decision making

2012-02-12T17:00:00.000+01:00

Do you want to impress your boss or businessmen visiting your company? Invite them for a cup of Tai Ping Hou Kui. Tea drinking according to chinese is not just what tea can give us physically, but even spiritually and inspirationally, and Tai Ping Hou Kui is more than what it literally means, which is: Peaceful monkey chief.

Tai Ping Hou Kui reminds me of the fabulous story of The Monkey King, Sun Wu Kong, which my father used to tell us when we were children. Although I found nothing that may refer to any direct connection between the name giving of this tea and the chinese fable of the Monkey King, but monkey, both as in general chinese belief and in the story of Sun Wu Kong, symbolizes leadership, intelligence, good decision making, willingness to learn and do the right thing, wittyness, and curiousness on new unfamiliar things to learn.

Besides, this amazing tea is really very tasteful and in a most delicate way, which is important to remember when learning to appreciate chinese and taiwanese tea. Subtlety in taste is what is most appreciated specially in taiwanese tea brewing - as usually expressed - the milder the tastier ... tea has to taste like silk ... stating magnificent characters yet estremely delicate.

Anyway, in Sweden monkeys can only be seen in animal parks, so when it comes to characters like leadership and such, we may also get some inspirations from other nordic animals with the same ideal characters, like the Finnish Lapplander Dog, which inner and outer characters are still as nearly as to its said origin, The Grey Wolf, which is also known for its leadership, intelligence, willingness to do the right thing, good decision, and curiousness to new things to learn.

Anyway, this is what is great about tea drinking. The thoughts, the learnings, and the inspirations that come along with these beautiful tea leaves are just endless .... So next time, why not try serving this tea to your boss, colleagues, business associates or even friends - inspirations on great characters like these are surely sought after and will be appreciated by many.

This is Laika, the dog of my daughter Le Ly

Laika is Finnish Lapplander Dog

Laika loves rolling on the snow

... for chadao ....

Text: 黄琼丝 /Celina Huang

Photo: En Kopp Zen Tehus

龙年 Year of the dragon

2012-02-04T15:34:00.000+01:00

As many of us chinese people are already getting excited about: This year is the year of the dragon. Dragon is considered a very lucky sign in chinese horoscope and many chinese therefore actually see to it their child is born under this year, but weither this year is good or not: it still depends on one´s own personal horoscope sign. Meaning fate and compatibility is very important, but we also believe our choices in life and actions plus environment also counts as much.

Anyway speaking about environment, this explains why some of us chinese are more particular about the Chinese New Year and the day the animal sign of the year starts.

This is because if one is very particular with feng shui, ( from chinese culture and not from the westworld way of observing it which mostly I actually never heard of about in my entire life as chinese and grew up in this chinese way of building and designing our home and places of work), then one does get very meticulous in observing these two different start of a chinese year like I do. Otherwise, it´s not necessarily important to be particular about these two different days.

Anyway it means that aside from my usual dose of tea today, I´ll surely need some more cups, as I´ll actually be very busy preparing for the start of the year of the Blue Dragon.

... for chadao ....

Text: 黄琼丝 /Celina Huang

Photo: En Kopp Zen Tehus

茶逛 A tea stroll at the University of Linköping

2012-02-01T16:14:00.001+01:00

When was your last tea stroll? Each stroll is wonderful and brings great time with people you spend time with, and new things to discover and learn. Last christmas day was brought with Remi and Vinod in their home in Linköping, 2 hours ride from Stockholm.

Remi works as nurse and Vinod as administrator of Linköping University. So aside from great tea and conversations with them, laughter of their three little boys and the great meal Remi prepared for us, surprisingly at last Vinod this time tried really hard to explain what my head for many years failed to understand about his proffession:

Vinod took us around the campus where he works at The University of Linköping, which aside from researches by scientists and professors it caters, it´s pride also include The Europe most precise electron microscope.

And as bonus to all these wonderful things we were shown, I was also abled to get acquainted with the tea culture of the university, which is naturally interesting for me who is in tea business.

Which to this I would say: Sweden is a very "young tea consuming country", but very promising as, aside from increasing number of people starting to drink loose leaves green tea, I also noted how tea bags has lately been enriched from just english black teas to wider selections of east asian green and even oolong teas today.

So not exactly a huge step yet compared to other tea drinking countries maybe, but a step is a step. Beside, I see how they continue with the eagerness to learn and make further steps, so I´m impressed.

Anyway, most of all: Thanks for the great hospitality Vinod and Remi. We have enjoyed the visit very much. Until next time!

Leaving Stockholm for Linköping

From right to left: Le Ly, Vincent, Naomi and Benji

Remi, a fantastic, intelligent open minded person who is quick to learn and curious of new things, which what surely made her not only to a great nurse proffessionally, but also a successful mother of three and a great housewife.

Remi also has a great skill in kitchen which can be seen and tasted on the roasted duck she served

... and the delicious ham we have enjoyed

Preparing for the escapade to the University of Linköping

Everyone ready

Entrance of the University of Linköping: featuring logos of all fraternities & student organizations

A neighboring People´s College

Underbar means wonderful in swedish

One of the main buildings of the university

The university´s "apple yard" boasting huge numbers of different apples grown in Sweden

The fruits of wisdom: All publications done in the university by researchers & professors from all over the world

The administrators´ building where Vinod sits office

The administrtors´ reception where you see a queue numbering system: swedish are well known as one of the best people to queue - in Sweden people fall in line on every errand with or without queue numbering machine

Vinod miraculously agreed to pose for the camera

One of the main students´ reading lounge: swedish interior design in most public function like this can usually be described as one may probably described what´s commonly the swedish mentality is in my opinion: simple but effective.

Lounge to the administrators´office

Finally to Vinod´s office

The administrator´s office: Vinod, who normally hates attention, hesitantly agreed for a pose again, as he and Remi were actually right to get worried they won´t get another visit from me, a blog maniac, unless I get my blog story and pictures.

Administrators´s coffee lounge

Swedish decor with some east asian inspiration

The administrators´ tea selections: as I mentioned earlier, still on tea bags dimension but now enriched with east asian green teas

... and the selections are actually wide ... yes a step is a step ... so it´s promising

We couldn´t resist the temptation of these delicious swedish holiday chocolates

Looking around the campus, I thought, eventually convincing the university to enriched their tea selections with genuine tea in loose leaves can´t be hard at all when they actually encourage Yoga for the mental and physical health of the students.

The university takes really good care of the students´ health

... even sleep difficulty, which I thought tea can actually contribute if ever

... and even to the students´ wish to quit smoking

Tea is probably not that long from the university after all, when east asian arts are actually already playing inspirations around the campus ...

Not to mention the huge number of students from all over the world including China and Japan

Vinod, having the university as his Alma Mater too, shown us the Rectors´Office of the university

Now the tour about to end, is the underground passage from the university to the city

The long passage from one end ....

.... to the other end ... which gives some kind of mystery and history... reminding me of passages like the silk road where millions of tea has taken its way surely ...

And so everyone happy and contented with the adventure we took the last pose and went home to a warm tea and nice dinner Remi prepared .. Thanks once again for this great moment with you Remi and Vinod! ... and specially for the extra attention on tea serving, Remi, which you surely know I love very much!! ... and Vinod, to this wonderful tea stroll of wisdom ...

... for chadao ....

Text: 黄琼丝 /Celina Huang

Photo: En Kopp Zen Tehus

恭贺新禧 Happy Chinese New Year!

2012-01-22T13:47:00.000+01:00

It´s the Chinese New year, and I´ll like to celebrate it with pictures of my father´s home in China, to remind me of the traits learning of the family, which I´d like to wear and guide me from this fresh start of another year and on: among others, simplicity, good deeds, fruitful work and gratitude.

And as chinese new year is also for us a celebration of the coming of the spring time, I celebrate it with a Pai Mu Dan, a tea which taste indeed as fresh as the coming spring season!

Have a wonderful Chinese New Year Celebration everyone!

Another picture of my father´s home: with some friends and family in the inner courtyard

Chinese New Years Celebration usually contains of offering to the ancestors

A visit to the temple

Getting in touch with nature of awesome symbol like gold fish

... for chadao ....

Text: 黄琼丝 /Celina Huang

Photo: En Kopp Zen Tehus

冬茶会:维京灵感 Winter tea gathering: Chinese & swedish (viking time) Inspiration

2012-01-18T15:27:00.001+01:00

There has been a long blog pause here last spring and summer, which is why I have not been able to post this winter tea gathering we tried last winter. So now I´m finally very happy to post it.

It was last winter, and we wanted to have some fun outdoor despite the cold, but what would be our theme or inspiration. I find picking up inspirations very creative and so I thought it was always fun.

Anyway, we were still at the west coast of Sweden by then, and what´s more fun than getting inspiration from what is well known about that area, and which actually play lots of inspiration in many of what people do in that area: the swedish ancient rock carving called Hällristning and activities that exist around that time.

The museum exhibiting this rock carving also demonstrate swedish old ways and livinghood like for example the way bread were baked during that time, which was the inspiration I got when I organized this tea gathering. Choice of tea: Nepal Oolong.

And as said it´s just an inspiration, because the real swedish old way of making bread in the bronze age is in what they called "kokgrop" and is far more complicated than what we tried to do here just for fun, but the inspiration was there and its great and fun!

And mind you, I don´t exactly know the significance, but looking at the taiwanese Gong Fu Cha around some activity that was inspired from the swedish bronze age is just: kind of surrealistic and beautiful. So enjoy and have fun with your own funtastic creation of tea gatherings, anywhere, from any inspiration and at any season!!

... for chadao ....

Text: 黄琼丝 /Celina Huang

Photo: En Kopp Zen Tehus

I always felt like (and, I thought, even look like) a pequin when walking on the snow

Preparation

Sun touching the Gong Fu Cha

Where we were going to start a fire

Fire started

Admiring this beautiful creation in the middle of the nature

Fire getting bigger

Fire warming everyone

The surrealistic look of Gong Fu Cha around some old swedish inspired food activity

Tea water on boiling

Tea water ready

Dough making

Dough Ready

Swedish preserved herring to accompany the bread

Just like in tea ceremonies: the ceremony of admiring arts

Swedish metal handcraft from the north of Sweden

... with old swedish symbols carved on it

bread ready

butter on bread

I love butter and sill on bread

I used to think butter and herring on bread an odd combination at first, but actually yummy as soon as I got used to the idea..

and more bread to eat ...

茶叙会:事必有兆 Tea time talk: Does future events really always revealed first through omens?

2012-01-07T14:55:00.000+01:00

Chinese believe in omens, and thats´s why we take much care in details, like which things to see first upon entering our home, which way to take as "not to disturb" what we consider as yin places like hospitals etc and even what chanel to leave the TV off just to make sure the first thing we see upon turning it on again is only awesome programs.

And as to that, even my choice of tea on New Years Day: one light Tie Guan Yin and one dark, which I drank in a tea glas to see the color better, where the light one sparkled beautifully with olive green color and giving out taste so harmonious & calming to drink, and the dark one which is of copper color and has such delicious citrus after taste gives me strength and energy I need for this year again, a complete tastes representing a very well balanced year all throughout 2012, which hopefully will be full of good fortunes and wisdom to learn.

Yes, everything has to potray good fortunes ... and that´s why I enjoy taking notes as to which thing catch my attention first every New Years Day, ... but the thing with me is: there can be whatever undesirable sights among others, but guess what ... my eyes will only noticed the pleasant things to look at. Is that consider good omen? well, I don´t care ... it does make my days start finely and end wonderfully, and I guess that´s what counts most.

Anyway, while waiting for my train on New Years Day, I got this magical moment for 10 seconds ... a very rare moment. These pigeons in the Stockholm Central Station are always up by the roof avoiding waiting passengers on the platforms and in- and outcoming trains, and therefore never once could I get any picture of them before, which I thought was a pity as I always thought specially city pigeons are mesmerizingly beautiful in some way. They´re kind of tough in some way.

Anyway, on the New Years Day, I missed my train in a matter of a second only ... what does it mean?!? I thought to myself ... and for some moment I was left there alone, without any other passengers or trains coming and going (which is usually pouring none stop otherwise), and there they were ... the reason why I missed my train .... these lovely pigeons flew down to the platform I was standing on, and freely enjoyed the otherwise rarely deserted platform.

Luckily, it´s now almost a habit having a camera on hand, and then, the magical seconds was over, and new passengers and the next trains came, and they flew away to the roof again, but surely that moment is some encounter I will never forget for as long as I live. These pideons were so incredibly beautiful in such unexpected sudden silence it feels like the time has stopped for 10 seconds, and ...

I was back a little girl again looking out the window every afternoon to get a sight of the pigoens on our neigbor´s roof. I was just a tiny little girl then and couldn´t really count yet, but they looked like hundreds in my eyes, and I would remember what my parents used to say that pigeons brings bountiful blessings and awesome events, and I will close my eyes and wished the pigoens will indeed bring me hundreds of blessings and awesome events ... well mostly chocolates, candies and kid´s stuffs by then, naturally.

.... and so even at the station, ...I wished the pigeons would continue bringing me bountiful of blessings and wonderful events .... and continued tea happiness! ... and so to all of you too!! And peace to everyone, peace to the world!

... for chadao ....

Text: 黄琼丝 /Celina Huang

Photo: En Kopp Zen Tehus

新年快乐! 新年进步! Best wishes to eveyone on 2012!!

2012-01-02T18:41:00.001+01:00

My best wishes to everyone on 2012!!

... for chadao ....

Text: 黄琼丝 /Celina Huang

Photo: En Kopp Zen Tehus

圣诞快乐 Merry Christmas to everyone!!

2011-12-23T12:47:00.002+01:00

Christmas is really rushing in, with all lights and holiday spirit up all over, in every home, all over the city, like all these wonderful christmas trees and lights you can see on streets, stores and shopping malls, and soon the christmas eve and day, just wonderful:

Happy Holiday to Everyone!!

... for chadao ....

Text: 黄琼丝 /Celina Huang

Photo: En Kopp Zen Tehus

瑞典圣卢西亚的茶杯 St Lucia Tea!

2011-12-18T13:24:00.002+01:00

So now christmas is really approaching. Last December 13 was St. Lucia day which is much celebrated in Sweden. Schools usually arrange a Lucia parade with many wonderful songs. People will then eat a saffron spiced bread called "lussekatter" in swedish and one may drink it with glögg, coffee or tea.

Many business companies and stores of the community might arrange to have the Lucia parade come and sing at their office or factory. All employees will then gathered and enjoy those lovely songs and eat these delicious lussekatter and drink what they might prefer of the above mentioned beverages. It supposedly spreads joy and light among the employees, employer and customers, which naturally brings fortune and happiness to everyone.

Just like christmas carols in other countries perhaps, the company will then donate some amount for the children shool trips and so on. It´s a wonderful mutual exchanges of joy indeed.

Many schools are therefore busy during this day delivering songs and joy to everyone. And some would even go to the expense of arranging wonderful Lucia parade with horses and stuffs like the Säbyholm Private School did in these pictures, which really brings everyone warm and light in this cold winter. Enjoy!

... for chadao ..
Text: 黄琼丝 /Celina Huang
Photo: courtesy of Le Ly of the Säbyholm Private School and its wonderful St. Lucia Parade

茶叙会 Tea time talk: The forgotten dear ones

2011-12-14T15:53:00.000+01:00

Something rather peculiar catched my attention while drinking my cup of tea the other day. While drinking, I started paging a local newspaper, and here it is:

It says " Ashes forgotten away for a year" as title, and that three families each lost an elderly family member last autumn, namely 81, 70 and 50 years old. Today after a year, they still don´t know the where about of the cremated remains of their beloved one?!

Yes, really shocked, I thought this is not happening, considering, what in my opinion, the admirable precision of Sweden when it comes to proffessionalism.

Yes, a country where each of its residents and citizens is accurately labeled with personal numbers, each place and case were checked and double checked, that one button and it shows if you have lost one finger or are they all still entact, where one o´clock is one o´clock no more and no less. - this could not be happening!?

Anyway, continuing the article, it says that the families involved were not allowed to be present in the whole funeral procedure, and now not knowing where to turn to, the case is now "hand bolled" between the funeral agency, the crematorium, and the community´s church, while the Swedish Registry of Population is now planing to start an investigation of the matter.

Feeling really sorry for the concerned families, I nevertheless couldn´t help almost bursting out all the tea in my mouth with unexpected laughter when I read the framed information on the higher right side of the article, which I am not exactly sure if it´s really true or it is just the journalist way of funly mocking the responsible agencies.

Anyway the framed information says:

Here is the rule:

*Families are not allowed to be present during the placing of the cremated remains at the memorial home, but will rather be informed as soon as the ashes are in place. Then the church congregation will send out an informing letter to the surviving family. Normally within two months.

*If the family have not received such letter by the time, they should please contact the community´s church.

*If the ashes are still not in its proper place at the memorial home after a year, the Registry of population will starts an investigation of the matter and its cause.

... well anyway so much for the laughter, .... may these families and their deceased one soon find peace at last ... and as to this, my reading tip to everyone: try reading local papers with your tea instead of national or global ones. I think it´s in the local where real stories of real people like this are.

And speaking about forgetfullness, guess what I´ve forgotten myself - I forgot it´s my mother´s birthday the other day ( who passed away a few years ago ), and so now I bought some fruits to offer in her memory.

... for chadao ..

Text: 黄琼丝 /Celina Huang

Photo: En kopp Zen Teahouse

开花茶:皇后的最爱 Flower Tea: the empress`s favorite

2011-12-12T15:24:00.002+01:00

... and talking about beautiful flowers, it reminds me of those blooming teas or flower tea, which are even said to be dating back as early as on Marie Antoinette´s time around 1755-1793.

I tried looking for more about this, or the teas existence in France already by that time, but find nothing much, except that blooming teas, which are actually bundles of tea leaves tied together, were said to be actually already existing for as long as several hundreds years back.

Being aware of the artistic creativity of chinese people for centuries already for one thing, I thought it can actually be right and wouldn´t really want to argue about this anymore, except to continue and enjoy this short filmclip, showing the existence of flower tea in France already on the 18th century. It shows Marie Antoinette amusingly demonstrated this `amazing blooming tea from China!´

Just how amazing it is, well - it actually has some sort of a powerful taste as it brewed away such strong bronze like color, which might surprise you, as coming from such, what you might thought, innocent, mild and pretty looking blooming tea only .... Enjoy!

... for chadao ..

Text: 黄琼丝 /Celina Huang

Photo: En kopp Zen Teahouse

姹紫嫣红 Beautiful purples and brilliant reds: beautiful flowers

2011-12-07T14:00:00.001+01:00

Now that those beautiful autumn leaves are almost gone, and we´re in the middle of leaving behind the joy they gave us and waiting for the first magical snow fall, aside from livelier music, dark chocolate and tea to energize my spirit, I usually take a look on some lively spring colors on the net or something.

And yes, it really gives joy! This is another cousin of mine, Raquel Sy and her family, on Taipei Inter´l Flora exposition in Taiwan. Looking at these lovely pictures, and I thought nothing can feel more beautiful than being around flowers.

No wonder millions of flowers are sold around the world, and such huge flora exposition Taipei hosted: Just one look at everyone and the pretty smile on their lovely faces, like that of Raquel and family, and you can see how flowers and plants spread happiness indeed.

Thanks for sharing, cousin, I hope I had enjoyed this lovely event with all of you in Taiwan, and naturally with a warm cup of taiwanese oolong, ... surely another time like this will come ... until then, keep the smile!

... for chadao ..

Text: 黄琼丝 /Celina Huang

Photo: courtesy of Raquel Sy and family

每日 Soup and tea of the day

2011-12-05T18:32:00.001+01:00

Le Ly and cousin

Lately, a relative arrived in Sweden, and I and Le Ly went and show Stockholm around a bit before we drove to the westcoast the same day, and back to Stockholm again after two days.

While around Stockholm, we naturally got hungry, and hunt for something to eat and found this tiny eatery, which serves different east asian food. Their food are delicious, specially the thai coconut soup, sour and chilied, very dilicious!

Their tea was alright, but do not exactly have an ambitious menu, I should say, but still, the service was great and friendly, which made it tastes fine and sweet, nevertheless.

Or perhaps I should say, I actually never make any big deal when it comes to food or drink, as long as they are fresh, clean and warmly served. And perhaps it depends on mentors we met in life, and how they formed us.

Anyway, as the great old mentor I fondly called "grandpa Fu ", once said, " as long as you try to do the right always, ... nothing and nothing can go wrong, remember that" , he said.

And so as I then always try to remember, ... even that day and tried to do the right thing, and just thankful for the tea as it is, then indeed nothing went wrong, ... and the journey to the westcoast and back went smoothly all the way and right to schedule.

...and that´s how food and tea can really taste good every day, as grandpa Fu used to say, when you make every moment of the day as good and right as possible. Great appetite and tea drinking!

... for chadao ..

Text: 黄琼丝 /Celina Huang

Photo: En Kopp Zen Teahouse

一杯禅 A cup of zen´s life

2011-11-22T22:00:00.000+01:00

A cup of zen´s life for 5 minutes by the main entrance of The Stockholm City Terminal:

Life lesson: "I really need a better camera ..."

... for chadao ...黄琼丝 /Celina Huang

Photo: En Kopp Zen Teahouse

秋叶茶道 The longing for the japanese autumn tea ceremony

2011-11-16T14:30:00.000+01:00

Soon it´s time to be with my dear lady master in japanese tea ceremony, Eiko Duke Soei Sensei. As I look forward to our next encounter this Friday and Saturday, I think about how wonderful she is ... such a sweet lady.

Our encounters are precious to me - which contains of lessons in japanese tea ceremony, wonderful conversation with her in between lessons, which is really great knowing a bit of each other, and each others language and culture ... and what greater way of knowing japanese language and culture than doing it with a great lady from one of the oldest japanese tea ceremony world of Japan. I feel lucky.

On my last visit, she showed me a beautiful portable tea box, which is even for seasonal japanese tea ceremonies. As I look at outside the window now, I knew that one of my favorite if ever would be the autumn tea ceremony, when leaves turn to yellow, red and orange to announce the season.

I long to the day when I can perform this seasonal tea ceremony, when spreading those autumn colored leaves on the passage, roof and entrance of the teahouse is a part of the ceremony, as described in the book of Chanuyo of Ida Trotzig, just because they are such a natural beauty to look at.

.... and that´s why I deliberately leave them on the ground, even near our entrance door, even if it means extra sweeping indoor of those that happens to be blown in whenever one enters the house. They give such happiness to look at and walk on during autumn, which I think gives much strength enough through the winter later.

Anyway it is still a great travel for me, before I could be formally allowed to practice the autumn tea ceremony, but as the old teaching says - the journey towards our goal is as rewarding as the goal itself, and so I enjoy my time with my japanese lady teacher Soei Sensei, a wonderful Lady Tea Master I admire very much ... and so I enjoy the beautiful autumn every year like in the following pictures below ...

... for chadao ...

黄琼丝 /Celina Huang
Photo: En Kopp Zen Teahouse

Autumn in Upplands Bro, Stockholm

Autumn in the pond created by the Säbyholm Private School in Upplands Bro, Stockholm

茶叙会TeaTime Talk: Making everyday a joy and harmony

2011-11-12T18:30:00.000+01:00

I woke up this morning immediately thinking of the things to be done for the teahouse, which I´m mostly occupied with these days. And since these things need my logical head, so this is probably why I´m a bit slow on my blog which needs a more creative mind apparently. This is the time when I wish I have two heads.

Anyway, this is as I have said the Da Hong Pao I am enjoying lately. I failed to take a good picture of their beautiful brewed leaves the last time, so here it is, this is how they look like brewed and unwrapped from their own embrace. Very beautiful.

And althought I do enjoy many other kind of music, but when working for the teahouse, drinking tea for energy and positive thinkings, preparing east asian menus, which of course turn into getting homesick and start looking at pictures to promise me my next visit to east asian countries, I thought it´s great with chinese music or japanese taiko in the background, but specially with my teenage kids, born partly european and scandinavian in culture, I could actually hear another song in the background, but well, who cares, when it´s as great as these girls, Molly Petterson Hammar and Moa Lignell.

And besides, as mother checking what my kids are up to, like watching the swedish Idol, I think this program is great giving kids some challenge with their interest and talent. And I think Idol in Sweden has got much much better since I last saw this program with my kids two or three years ago. Judges are now encouraging these young contestants with good manner and right conduct, humility despite their talent, and true friendliness and sportmanship among them, where you could really see these kids admirably giving each other moral support backstage despite contesting for one prize only.

Anyway what do I do in times like this when I´m drinking green tea and my kids are in the mood for music of another theme? I enjoy the moment of course. How? Thanks to the east asian way of unstressing oneself I was born to perhaps. We have learned to be receptive to every situation given to us, no matter how. And unexpected or unfamiliar sounds suddenly sound harmonious to our ears. Kids stuffs, giggles or cry suddenly become a happy part of our everyday too, and old traditions looks or feel great even in the very advanced world we have today.

Try how we do it sometime: Don´t block things, no matter how unfamiliar or unsuitable you might think a situation, sound or sight is at the moment. Accept it. Welcome it to your ears if its a sound, to your eyes if its a sight or be content of it if it´s a sittuation. Try it and you´ll see - everyday is a harmony and tea is a joy no matter how and everyone you love is a part of the joy.

和气致祥!

for chadao ...

黄琼丝 /Celina Huang

Photo: En Kopp Zen Teahouse

飲茶:鸵蛋 Ostrich egg for tea refreshment, anyone?

2011-11-03T18:13:00.000+01:00

Naomi ( right ) and Le Ly ( left ) attacking an ostrich egg

Yes, despites all leaves turning beautifully into red and gold, and all steps subsiding into easy ones, weather starts turning colder and colder too, so that it really feels so good with tea like I said, and really warm delicious food. And speaking of warm energetic food - it reminds me of one unusual food we have tasted before: Ostrich egg!!

Anyone tasted it too sometime? They´re good, but shouldn´t be cooked more than necessary to get them taste really juicy and delicious, which I thought then is very good with green tea. And mind you, one ostrich egg could serve up to 8 people, but look at Naomi and Le Ly with it all by themselves when they were little. Should I wonder where did they get that big appetite from?

Lovely autumn everyone!

Säbyholm Private School

... for Chadao ...

黄琼丝 /Celina Huang

Photo: En Kopp Zen Teahouse

大红袍:刚柔并济 Da Hong Pao: Strength and gentleness

2011-10-30T17:53:00.003+01:00

Sweden is getting deeper into autumn, daylight gets shorter and night gets longer. For me it´s usually time for oolong teas, and this time I happily brewed the Da Hong Pao I bought from my latest visit to Hong Kong, and prepared my review of this wonderful tea to share with you.

Those who read my blog often may probably noticed that I digest more the spiritual part than any other attributes of teas and food that I review, but as Lin Yu Tang stated in one of his books, east asians rather admire the spriritual beauty of the nature than dissect it for theoretical study. In short: We rather enjoy life than investigate the meaning of it.

Anyway, I will compare this tea to the strength and gentleness of the water buffalo or ox. The photo above was taken by my daughter Naomi during a travel in India. Although a nature photographer Naomi also takes people´s portraits captured in their natural invironment, and many more of her photoes can be found on her facebook page. Thanks, Naomi, for allowing this powerful picture be featured in mom´s blog.

We probably do not noticed it always but we do seek to everything that symbolizes something meaningful to us. Since kid I have always been very fond of water buffalos. They have always given me some sort of strength and at the same time peace of mind.

I find this beautiful creature which sybolizes strength and gentleness very delightful to paint, and when still kid, I and some classmates would sometimes dispatch our ride to go without us, and walk instead, just to be able to pass those rice fields with buffalos covered with mud. I´d poke them and says " yak, pal, you´re so covered with mud" And they would look at me and says or do nothing.

Anyway, I find this Da Hong Pao as delightful to drink. It smells of plums once opened. However drinking it is another thing:

Brew 1: While its aroma is as gentle as plums, the taste is very reserved as if stating its strength through refraining.

Brew 2: the second brewing gave a contrary result . It gave out lesser aroma, and more taste, and so did the third brewing. It tasted unextravagant but sensational with a bit of salt and mineral like earth, and just a touch of sweetness like fruit and flower of a plum.

Many might probably wonder how can one appreciate such sensation that remind one of earth and mineral, but then the wonderment might probably actually lies as on which dimension does ones understanding of tastes and happiness lies.

Anyway, what´s another thing particular with this tea is the TIME to drink it. Only in one particular moment do I always find it blooms generously with taste that one might call heaven. It´s when you drink it at exactly as soon as it´s in a temperature bearable to drink. Cooler than that and you risk missing the best of it: the taste and sensation of strength and gentleness, which I thought only buffalos can radiate at the same time otherwise.

Happy tea drinking everyone!

... for Chadao ...

黄琼丝 /Celina Huang

Buffalo Photo: Naomi Images
Tea pictures: En Kopp Zen Teahouse

双十节 Double Ten Tea Drinking

2011-10-19T19:18:00.000+02:00

Last week on Oct. 10, I brewed some teas for The Taiwanese Double Ten Day. The day may probably have political origin, but for overseas chinese it really means more than just celebrating a national day.

For overseas chinese or Chinese schools which usually also serves as centers of chinese communities formed overseas, it is connecting to its origin, traditions and culture to preserve its identity. It is being home in a foreign land.

Anyway, all through childhood and grade schools we read books imported or influenced from Taiwan, sang and dance the Alishan as much as ( for their cultural survival among others, I supposed ) the chinese traditional dances which includes tea dancings of course, sang the taiwanese national song and hail for all taiwanese heroes.

- as in terms of chinese culture and traditions, I am very proud of Taiwan and how it is today. Cultures are meant to be able to go on and do their "travels" for further growth and development. Taiwan who has abled to freely undergo that cultural journey has understandably achieved such outcome brilliantly today - and can for instance be enjoyed in those wonderfully sophisticated Taiwanese oolongs.

Anyway, cheers to everyone´s day that day too .... please enjoy the following pictures and have some glimps of Formosa, that beautiful island! ... and as this is supposedly a tea and food blog, sorry but I just can´t resist the temptation of adding this revised version of the Taiwanese National Anthem, which I´ll rather positively take as actually only interpreting another cultural growth Taiwan has successfully achieved, which is - Ayaaa here we go ... FOOD! lol

Anyway, as a dear friend who has been to this beautiful island, came back and express amazement on taiwanese food culture said: ... impressive how even just sidewalk eateries, serves such fresh and delicious food!!

Long live Taiwan ... go on being great!

Happy couples ...

Mr and Mrs Yeh

Binet and Amy Huang

Alishan

My brother and family

Aborigines´ Dance

My cousin Susan Sy Yeh ( left ) and friends

Artistic Taiwan

Chinese Traditional Dance

Traditional Tea Dance

Hsin-chu Hsien

Jia Yi

Island of Lotus

Nikki Huang

Kaya Huang

Land of the Cherry Blossoms

Maioli

Beaches and Resorts

taken at Nantou

Yang Ming Shan

And naturally, as mentioned earlier, never to forget those fantastic sidewalk eateries ...

... for Chadao ...

黄琼丝 /Celina Huang

Photoes: Courtesy of my cousin Susan Sy Yeh and brother Dr Huang Shu Fang

朱古力-单枞: Chocolate-Dancong Day!!

2011-10-08T16:15:00.001+02:00

Although we´re still having fantastic summer weather in this area at this time of the year, autumn is on the air I know, because I start craving for chocolates. CHOCOLATES!!! Yes, it´s another thing I haven´t told in this blog yet maybe, aside from tea, ice cream and fried chicken, my other weakness is chocolate.

This one tastes really delicious, ... or rather surprisingly delicious. Although, the wrapper is already very inviting, but you see, first when you open the cover, the chocolate is just thinly made as if nothing much can be expected from it.

But mind you, once you have put it in your mouth and took a bite, ooooooh my! .... it´s really like taking a second look and not believing your own eyes sometimes. It tastes kind of bitter, dark, angry yet sweet and very generous with taste of berries.

And what tea did I chose for this chocolate? Well, it´s actually a very yang food which means food with high thermal energy and therefore should be neutralized with green or white tea which has low thermal energy, but at the same time I thought it´s a pity to wash all that great tastes away with such mild teas, so guess what .... I picked a Red Feng Huang Dancong.

Like I explained earlier about thermal energy of food and drinks, it seems a very premitive asian way of classifying food ands drinks, that I have difficulties finding references to this matter, except for another tea blog, Mattcha´s blog, who also posted similar subject in some of its posts.

Dancong is known for its ability to imitate various fragrance of flowers and fruits, and therefore I usually find it excellent in complementing the taste of the food I eat with it. Meaning: Dancong doesn´t taste much as it is, but a yin in taste, yet as soon as you drink it with any food, it starts to takes its magic, it´s power. What a fantastic tea! ... and this time to this fantastic chocolate!

... for Chadao ...

黄琼丝 /Celina Huang

Photoes: En Kopp Zen Teahouse

东亚烤肉 East Asian Barbecue Part 2 of 2 - Korean

2011-09-26T13:25:00.003+02:00

So lately the east asian BBQ tour of my brother & family for the moon celebration in Taiwan continued from taiwanese/japanese grill to korean. I myself love visiting korean restaurants in Sweden. Aside from those delicious korean dishes, what I also enjoy everytime is their tea.

Although a pity most of these restaurants do not really give importance on knowing the name of their, what they would just refer to as, people´s or everyday tea. Anyway, it reminds me very much of: Gen Mai Cha, the japanese very own people´s tea, which I recommend for most grilled food, as it has that wonderful taste which reminds of corn or popped roasted rice that´s in it, a taste which goes perfectly with all grilled food.

And so, this tasteful korean BBQ starts with all those korean small dishes usually contained of vegetables, korean pickles, seaweeds and fruits. The more the merrier, as my brother expressed it. Not to mention that they are really so good as amazingly even the children love them!

Then comes the buttering of the hot plate, then the grilling of the stuff you ordered, like shrimps, shells, squid, fish combined with vegetables and those delicious korean cold and black noodles. Black noodles are actually white with black korean sauce. Very delicious.

Until we meet again on my next visit to Taiwan, dear brother and sister-in-law, now I´m very tempted .... of seeing you and my lovely nieces again, and, admittedly, of the great temptation of all these goodies and yummies! lol.

Bye, see you on Thai BBQ next time, says Nikki, until then, here´s more about this wonderful korean BBQ with reasonable price to note down for your next stop in Taiwan, specifically the Miaoli area.

... for Chadao ...

黄琼丝 /Celina

Photoes courtesy of: Dr. Huang shu Fang & family, Miaoli, Taiwan

东亚烤肉 East Asian Barbecue Part 1 of 2 - Taiwanese/Japanese

2011-09-19T12:27:00.000+02:00

What other food do east asians drink their tea with? Noodles, rice and spring rolls are probably what everyone knows as typical east asian food, but what about barbecue?

Actually, barbecue has long been one of the food activities in east asian countries like Taiwan, Japan, Hong Kong, and Korea. In fact, speaking about the Moon Festival that has occured lately, it is one of the get together activities done among friends and families in Taiwan during the event.

My brother in Taiwan knows how I miss these occassions, so he is always happy to send over some pictures I can enjoy until my next visit to Taiwan. These photoes are from his family´s latest moon festival celebration with their friends and colleagues.

This time they went to a japanese/taiwanese barbecue: grill on each table, fresh meat, seafood and vegetable, not to mention the delicious dessert afterward.

Food is indeed a joy that fills the stomach and spirit, but what fills the heart are - as the photoes shown below say and as moon festival is primary all about - the wonderful people around you, - family and friends.

And so as the moon brightened, faces also light up and everyone from all generations enjoys: pround mothers & fathers, children, colleagues, etc etc. all feeling the meaning of the celebration ... and so tea tastes really best!

Part 2 coming up: Korean Barbecue .... meanwhile, this japanese / taiwanese barbecue place is at Yuan-shaw restaurant, Ju-pei city Hsin-chu, and even in many major cities around Taiwan. Don´t miss it next time you´re in this beautiful island.

Until next post ... in the meantime Taiwan smiles and says: Hello!

/ Celina Huang

Photoes courtesy of: Dr. Huang Shu Fang 黄书芳

中秋節 Moon Festival Celebration - Part 2 Moon Cakes in Sweden

2011-09-14T15:28:00.003+02:00

Chinese Moon Festival without moon cakes is not a complete Moon Festival of course. We bought some from a chinese store called Asian Market in Olof Palmes street in Stockhom. They´re great, juicy taro paste, and beautiful yellow salted eggs. I have to check where did they came from: Hong Kong!

I wasn´t surprise. When it comes to moon cakes, Hong Kong and Taiwan are some of the best, who doesn´t only make moon cakes so they taste heaven, but absolutely have to look really great too.

And looking great means, among others, that the chinese symbols printed on them should be finely and clearly visible. Then your future would be bright and clear too, as the old people says, which I usually joke back: Yes, grandpa - as soon as I see such unclear printed moon cakes, I promise to turn my back away from them and say: Sorry, I can´t buy them. Bad for my future.

In Sweden we can´t really get as much a variety of moon cakes as in their homelands, but the fact that we can already get the traditional ones as juicy and well done as these, it made me very happy!

Anyway, as for tea, I chose a lighter oolong. Taro paste in moon cakes is just a bit complicated when it comes to the asian way of classifying food and beverages according to the termometer of their digestive attribute. It is considered "warm food" and therefore need a " cooler tea" which means nearer to green or white, but at the same time as paste in this matter, it is "cold food" and should be balanced with "warmer tea" which means a bit nearer to oolong and red tea. A lighter oolong should be perfect therefore.

And of course, while eating these heavenly tasteful moon cake, one should never forget to look up and admire the beautiful moon, which we did and took a picture of it. Isn´t the moon beautiful!

Have a continued wonderful autumn everyone! - next post: about barbeque get together with friends and family during moon festival in Taiwan. Hang on!

Text: Celina

Photo: En Kopp Zen Teahouse

中秋 Moon Festival Celebration - Part 1 Pomelo Head Dress Competition in Taiwan

2011-09-12T20:31:00.001+02:00

It´s Chinese Moon Festival! It´s one of my favorite event - here in Sweden one can of course buy some moon cake and such, but look at the reason why I do feel like I´m missing a lot - so much happenings in Taiwan.

This is my brother´s little daughter, Nikki Huang, attending the pomelo head dress compitition they had in school for this event in Taiwan.

Pomelo head dress compitition is one of the events during the mid-autumn festival or the Moon festival. Pomelo in taiwan is harvested during September to October, which is also about the moon festival season, besides pomelo is a round fruit, which also resembles the full moon during the moon fest.

Nikki, wearing the pomelo peacock head dress, was a proud third prize winner of the competition, but not without the help of her little sister below, modelling for the head dress, earlier at home. And naturally, aside from this event some others celebrations, like barbeque gathering with tea and etc. Stop by for this issue next blog after Moon Festival Part 2 - Happy Moon Festival everyone!

Text : Celina Huang
Photos: Dr. Huang Shu Fang, Taiwan

竹炭 Bamboo charcoal and Tea Part 1 of 2

2011-09-12T11:47:00.000+02:00

The other day, I took out the bamboo charcoal that was with the teas delivered by Stephane Erler from Taiwan, determined to do the test I have been planning to perform, but wasn´t able to do until now due to, among other, the relocation we just made, and the planning and preparations that was necessary before that. What a year! ... but thanks indeed, the hectic period is now ( hopefully ) subsiding.

Anyway, the test is to determined wheither there is really any difference between tea water purified by a bamboo charcoal and plain tap water. One thing I want to clearly state before anything else though is the swedish water: Swedish tap water is so great as it is already that in this country it is common for everyone to get drinking water directly from the faucet. Blessful!

So after doing all necessaries to activate the charcoal, I started considering two possibilities in this activity: 1. cooking the water with the bamboo charcoal 2. treating the water with bamboo charcoal without boiling it at the same time.

Through understanding how charcoal works as purifier, which is explained simply by a certain Mr Terry P. in this link, at one glance it might seem to imply that Charcoal purifying treatment is a matter of time and not temperature. It needs time to make contact with as much unwanted molecules in the water as possible and hold it in its micro pores.

However, boiling the water on the other hand also means more excitements and movements of molecules, which could mean effectivity of the process despite shorter time given.

Both ways seems to suggest right, so what I thought is best is to try both ways and see which tastes better. The result:

1. Unpurified tap water - the tea without the bamboo charcoal treatment gives a good taste yes, but the different tastes that are in it are somehow each working on its own competetively compared to the tea brewed with the bamboo charcoal purified water. The taste is therefore harder on the mouth.

2. Bamboo charcoal boiled in water - it gave out less colored tea, which means less dissolved tea. The taste is till good but has less body and life in it compared with the third test below.

3. Unboiled tap water purified with bamboo charcoal for 12 hours- considering that swedish tap water is already as pure as it is still I experienced great difference from the two tests above. This one gave more color and complete taste, which means it has dissolve more tea particles. It gave a very good unified soft taste, which I would call: harmonious to the sensation!

The tests above seems to show how time is what matters most in this process, and not temperature nor the movements of the excited particles through boiling.

On coming Part 2 of this issue: The same test with another volunteer taster, who doesn´t know which water is which, and more on why is there difference between purified water and unpurified in brewing tea. Until then, happy tea drinking everyone!

Text: Celina

Photo: En Kopp Zen Tehus