this compressed brick of dark leaves and stems has a gravity befitting its age: only the hottest water coaxes its flavours out

juicy sweetness reminiscent of white peach and nectar

and the gaiwan you receive may look different than the one pictured

along with the centuries-old tea tradition of the Hani people

elegant teaware or both

chaozhou floating teapot oolong_taiwan this compressed brick of darkA perfect marriage of Chaozhou and Yixing could well be this: A classic Shui Ping ('balanced water') form pulled on the wheel from original clay of Huanglongshan. When done by the hands of a meticulous potter, is the result a body of pristine build with a lid so well fitted, it chimes together like magnets. Such a curious endeavour will get a few pot heads thinking. Then, to follow the hint by brewing within the Yixing clay a tea from the local