You know how some descriptions just give you a mental image of what you think you are going to experience? Well that was the case for us when I read “drive through the majestic Cangshan Mountains to Lijiang. Stop for a short hike along the trail which was part of the old Tea Horse trail for centuries as you climb through some of the most beautiful scenery in southwestern China”. Ok OK it didn’t say it was going to be a peaceful lovely drive.  There was no mention of sipping tea along the drive, hearing traditional music as we passed UNESO sites or opening the windows to smell the flowers along the way, nope none of that, but that IS what my mind’s eye saw when I read those words.  What we actually experienced however was a 7, NOT 4 hour drive as promised, drive that went like this:

Start with an OK car with thankfully and excellent and experienced driver and English guide. This driver was truly the reason we actually made it to Shaxi and Lijiang alive and just one of the reasons I would choose Access China Tours to make arrangements for us again!

Now image a one lane road with three lanes of traffic (one each way and the middle is open for discussion of the horn)  over some paved, not paved or paved with huge pot holes road.  Image more construction trucks than you would see in a month in any fast growing city in the USA along the drive with you in just this one day,  tour buses packed with Chinese tourists, more cars than an LA afternoon commute and local people, bikes, animals and kids walking across all of this within each of the smaller villages we past through. Aggressive chaos would be one description, however all of this occurs with the purposeful use of the well understood language of the HORN! This is what I learned this new language to translate to mean:

As you see someone along the sides of the road who MIGHT move into your direction you should toot toot and the driver will smile, guide will not even notice.

If they actually step out then it is a full Honk, but not too long as the driver sips from his tea bottle and the guide keeps talking.

As you want to pass anyone in front of you (and it seems you always do, and it is often a huge truck or bus) give a longer beep beep beep beep as you do. Don’t worry about the upcoming curve you can see around the head on traffic will hear you and make adjustments. The driver will keep both hands on the wheel and the guide keeps talking.

If someone seems to not notice this or wants to move into your direction as you make the passing attempt then lay on the horn with a long LOUD HOOOOONNNNNNNKKKKKKKKKKKK. If that head on traffic didn’t hear your passing honk, then do the same as you both will then move here and there to avoid a crash. The drive will yell something out and the guide will take a look to see what is happening.

Now you would think we would have some photos, one or two anyway along this most hummmm “interesting” drive, but NOPE never tried to focus a camera, simply tried to look and mostly NOT look as we moved along. Every small city along the way had so much construction all you could see was a dust cloud, smaller villages had much of the same but here they are selling fruits on the road without seeming to notice the dust. If you saw one large crane anywhere you saw ten or more within the same sight line. To say China is growing, moving forward and developing quickly is one of the biggest under statements ever. This is our 8th trip to China, first to Yunnan and I have to say I believe if we took this same route 3 years from now, we would have NOT A CLUE we had been previously. That is just how fast many parts of China are changing today.

OK I have given you a mental visual that I hope aligns with what we actually SAW and now lets look at some cool photos we did capture!

This is the front gate view of Xiangllao Temple inside Shaxi.

Close up of the two Guardians!

What the side streets just off the main square of Shaxi Village look like.

People are living here in a very simple and relaxed manner with some beautiful homes.

Shibao Shan Grottos! 

Not easily accessed took us about 2 hours to climb up this mountain, but once there you not only have  amazing views, but inside you are in the presence of Buddha carvings that are several thousand years old. Of course taking photos inside is very limited and challenging, but I think you can get a sense just how amazing this entire Shibao Mountain Grotto area was.

next stop. . .  Lijiang and thankfully into an beautifully restored hotel located right in the UNESCO world heritage site complete with cobble stone alleys, canals, tiny bridges and picturesque  red lanterns in this exceptional ancient town which is home to the Naxi people who have lived in isolation under a matriarchal relationship for thousands of years.  Very interesting!

The Ancient Villages of Dali are home to many distinctive ethic groups. In this autonomous region Bai People have lived and created traditional folk crafts since the 3rd Century in China. These skills are as basic to daily life a tea is, 3 course tea in particular, with it’s symbolic messages yet another Bai traditional which continues today!

Tie-dyed batik is created today primarily in the hands of older, more patient ladies. The level of detail is truly amazing! I will never look a batik in the same way again.

T

Schools created within simple courtyards teach younger girls the skill of creating first thread then art with embroidery techniques only the sharpest eyes can complete. This craft is done by girls “when they can” between working on the family farms and caring for children. Each women sees this as a powerful way to gain some level of independence with a certain level of grace.  One piece created by a very proud, Yu Ling Li, took about 2.5 months to complete proved irresistible to me and will be a treasured piece in our family for many years to come!

After visiting both it was Time for Tea

What a treat we had when we were invited into this beautiful Bai couple’s home for first a home prepared meal from their garden and then 3 course tea!

The meal was simple, clean and delicious and then our REAL TREAT. . .

Watching, tasting, learning all about 3 Course Tea.

It all starts with careful care in preparing the fire, heating the water just right and setting each piece of tea ware exactly as it should be.

First Course: Roasting tea leaves to a amber color, rich toasted fragrance and bitter taste. They are then added to boiling water with the meaning served up to you that . . .

In this life there is suffering before there is pleasure.

Second Course: More water added to this same bowl now with brown sugar, nuts and seeds added. Again served to us in a small cup along with. . .

Before we can enjoy sweet there needs to be sweat.

Third Course: Same bowl, more water added to previous ingredients and now some honey, ginger, and Peppers are added, served in a small cup. . .

As we age we need to strive to maintain a placid frame of mind.

This traditional, thought process and ritual of serving to guests and sharing with families has been occurring in Bai People’s home since the Ming Dynasty and yet remains very appropriate today.

With some sadness we leave this peaceful courtyard and charming hosts as we head to the Village Market Place.

Here tea is shown, sampled and sold not as a luxury or special pleasure but rather as a need as basic to life as food.

A Short Drive and what seems like Centuries away we arrive in New Town Dali

The streets are lovely, clean and door after door is yet another tea shop. Each one has something slightly different, a special way to prepare or simply the company of the owner to set them apart from the rows and rows of competitive stores all on the same street, yet everyone seems to make a good living and most are full of people exploring the latest, newest or oldest treasure they are seeking.

Amazingly many also have the owner enjoying a cigarette using a huge water pipe as he prepares your tea.

I seriously could not believe there is no foul smell or smoke lingering in the shop.

Not my idea of pleasure but clearly better than a traditional cigarette and apparently a tradition in Yunnan dating back before anyone can remember.

Our Day concludes enjoying an amazing cultural performance back in the Village!

We begin our journey in business class on Air China. This is an Star Alliance partner with United, the carrier we most often use, but this time the schedule with Air China and the connections we needed to make was going to save us considerable time and so we opted to book both international and all of our domestic flights on Air China. Unfortunately the particular plane making the SFO to PEK route was part passage and part cargo plane. The seats which appeared to recline actually require your feet to be tucked under the seat in front and never elevated above your shin making for a long and uncomfortable flight. The domestic flights were fine, none over 2 hours and those were all first class, however the return was even worse than going. It started with Air China cancelling the flight from Hangzhou to Beijing which meant we could not make our international connection on the scheduled day. They said “due to weather” however other airlines were making the route, they in fact attempted to put us on one only to realize we would not have enough time to collect baggage and recheck on their international flight, so we spent 2 days and nights in the airports of first Hangzhou and then Beijing. They did move us from business to first class, however this time the plane was also a cargo/passenger and this one so OLD first class did not recline more than an easy chair and it was over 100 degrees in the cabin for the first 2 or 3 hours and never did cool down to the point of wanting to use the blankets. We were in the upstairs section however downstairs was nearly as hot. To add to the unpleasant circumstances, I swear there was smoking occurring in the cockpit, when I asked the flight attendant she immediately said “oh NO smoking is not allowed, let me check” she never again returned to our seats to update us.  Until such time as the planes are updated and I can be SURE we are not flying a cargo plane on this 11-12 hour flight, we will stick with a less appealing schedule and stay with United. OK so much for the airline review –                                                                                                                            on to the Tea Journey!

We land in Beijing with 3 hours to make a connection to Kunming which ended up to be 2 hours late and so we arrived in Kuming at 2:00 AM. Nice NEW airport, however HUGE and not totally finished so once there we needed to walk from gate 69 (I THINK the very last gate) to the exit which took 45 minutes. There we had a car and guide waiting patiently to whisk us to the hotel where we would check in, spend 8 hours before checking out to take yet another flight to Dali where the real journey was to begin.

It was raining on and off and the sky gave you a feeling of being so small as we explored this gorgeous Buddhist Temple. Notice the magical blue sky just above the middle of the Temple.

In the photo above you are seeing three pagodas which are survivors of 1200 years of earthquakes and wars, now a sublime symbol of the City of Dali!

    I love long hallways like this one and the ceiling with its very detailed painting reminds me of the care people use to take. There were lots of these     all over this complex consisting of several buildings, halls of worship and sub-Temples.

Now it is Tea Time!  We visited the Puer Yun Ling Wholesale Market teashop and enjoyed many tastings including an amazing Black Lychee Rose

that is crafted like a fine Jasmine using Rose petals and Lychee fruit  to naturally scent the leaf, which is grown in the high mountains at 10k feet. 

This occurs over seven days of repeating the process and the finished tea is simply lovely.

YES we managed to tuck some in our suitcase to share!

Oh yes that pretty smiling girl is the owners niece and her English name is

Shinderella wonder if she means Cinderella? She was a princess!

Tea Docents, Nez and Donna, share the Tea, People and Culture they enjoyed during a month in China.

China Tea Journey 2013

Stay Fit Demonstration at World Tea Expo 2012 in Las Vegas.

Tea Docent Nez and Janet of Isabella Catalog discuss the benefits of Stay Fit Green Tea Powder and sample the non dairy ice cream made fresh on the convention floor.
Click here to get Stay Fit and start adding green tea to your diet.

Tea Growing Regions of Japan.
Tea is grown almost everywhere in Japan Commercially and privately. The Tea Docents have traveled extensively throughout Japan and have always managed to come across a tea field or two. What is presented on this video is some of the well known regions that supply the international tea market. We are most excited when we find small artisan tea farmers with exceptional skill.

Stay Fit Green Tea Powder is powdered organic Sencha and Persimmon from Japan. No sugar added like other green tea powder.
This recipe uses Organic Oat Milk with Vanilla (Pacific Brand).

1 Qt of oat milk to 4 sticks of Stay Fit Green Tea Powder.

Pour the oat milk in to a mixing bowl and add the contents of 4 Stay Fit Green Tea Powder. Mix or blend the mixture until no clumps are visible. Pour the content into an ice cream maker and about 20 minutes later, enjoy the healthy alternative to other green tea ice cream products. Remember that it has no dairy products so it will be more like a sherbert. Add fruits to compliment the dish.
If you do not have an ice cream maker, you can just put the mixture in the freezer and dish it out like an Icee.

Tea Harvesting in Japan.
See the various ways in which Japanese Green tea is harvested. From the traditional to the most sophisticated technologically advanced harvester in the world. So advanced that you punch in the farm code and it knows how much it needs to cut. It can drive itself in a straight line. They even let me help harvest.

Wagashi – Japanese Green Tea Cakes.
This video was created by the Japanese Ministry of Agriculture to share its love of all things tea with the world.

Japanese Green Tea.
This video was created by the Japanese Ministry of Agriculture to share its love of tea with the world.

An interesting video by the WSJ on comparing good vintage wine and tea.
The climate, the region, processing technique, aging, all play an important role and producing an outstanding product it be tea or wine. I’ve always said tea to Asian culture is like wine to western culture.

Ingredients:
Cake 
6 large eggs
3.5 oz flour
1/5 cup of olive oil
1/6 cup of milk
4 sticks of Stay Fit Green Tea Powder

 Cream Filling
1 3/5 cup heavy whipping cream
2 sticks of Stay Fit Green Tea Powder

Cooking directions:

Put the eggs in a bowl, whip with whisk until it foams well.

Sift the flour and Green Tea Powder together.

Mix them gently into the sugar and egg mixture.

Mix in the olive oil and milk.

Place parchment paper on a baking sheet. (approx. 24 x 16) Pour dough flat onto the pan.

Bake for about 8 min. in 350 degree oven.

Let cool.

Lets make the cream filling.

Mix whipping cream and Green Tea Powder in a bowl with whisk until firm.

Spread the cream filling over the cake and roll up the cake.

Done.

Stay Fit Green Tea Powder is made from Sencha and persimmon powder so it contains no additional sugar. The sweetness is from the persimmon.

For all of those Matcha enthusiast who has ever wondered how Matcha is made, this short video should give you some idea of the process.

Simplify by using the Green Tea Mixer.
Always start by adding one cap full of your favorite beverage into the mixer and then adding the Stay Fit Green Tea Powder.
Put the cap on and shake vigorously for 30 seconds. Add more of the beverage to taste.
Some suggest for beverages.

Green Tea Lemonade
Use your own favorite lemonade, shake, pour over ice.
Refreshing,  Naturally Healthy!

Green Tea Smoothie
Use your favorite non-dairy milk, Tea Docent, loves it with oat milk. Add mashed banana. Serve in a stem glass with mint. Say ahhh and Enjoy!

Green tea Margarita
Use your favorite Margarita mix.  Pour the mix into a chilled, salted margarita glass.  That simple.

Iced Green Tea Pellegrino
Use cold Pellegrino. Pour over ice into a  chilled tall glass. Top with more Pellegrino to taste. A gently carbonated ice tea refresher.

Green Tea Sake or Martini
Use only premium Sake or vodka. Start a healthy St. Patrick’s day tradition.

Second Harvest Japan’s Disaster Relief Plan: Phase II

Phase II Plan
Over the next two years we will work with local agencies and relief organizations to establish a food lifeline and food safety-net in the region. Our work will always be linked to long-term recovery and economic development. We have begun the process of identifying these organizations and determining their immediate needs and ability to carry out these goals. We believe that as many as five locations will be needed to cover the area from Iwaki-shi in the south to Miyako in the north. While it is too early to provide precise estimates on funding needs, we believe this project could cost upwards ¥80 million over the next two years.

We want to thank all of our donors. We have raised more than ¥50 million for this project. As we move ahead we will be reaching out to businesses and foundations who have expressed a desire to support our efforts in the region.

Your ongoing support will make it possible for us to not only reach those in need in Tohoku, but anywhere in Japan. We thank you for helping us to make a better tomorrow.

From now on, further donations will be used both for disaster relief and to support our normal operations. We thank you for your understanding.
This is the list of needed items by local disaster victims:
http://www.2hj.org/index.php/news/send_us_food_and_supplies/
Contact us:
Phone: 03-3838-3827
Email: info@2hj.org

When the Body AND Heart Thirsts

I love this Beautiful “Poetry”

When my body “thirsts” I drink Sencha
When my heart “thirsts” I drink Gyokuro!

Written in both Japanese and English on a HUGE (over 4 foot tall)  tea jar in the home of Mr. Maejima-san 3rd generation tea master and Gyokuro Tea Top Award Winner!

A Wonderful Japanese “feeling” that goes far beyond the words! I hope you ENJOY

An interview with Tohei Maejima - 

3rd generation Gyokuro Master from the Shizuoka Region.

Mr. Maejima is a world champion Gyokuro Master 3 years in a row. We arrived at his tea garden just as he was finishing covering up one of his fields with the traditional rice stalk shading. This field will be shaded approximately 1 month. He picks the rice stalk and hand ties the shade cloth, it can not be purchased. That is why many of the fields are covered with the black plastic shade cloth. Mr. Maejima chooses the traditional way because it allows some light to get through as well as ventilation. The plastic covering will steam the plants on hot days. He says the price of Gyokuro does not change very much from either method but that the Gyokuro produced the traditional way will maintain its umami (essence of flavor) as it ages.

Mr Maejima opens one of the flaps 

Tohei Maejima - Gyokuro Master

to show us some of his technique. He uses some of the tofu material discarded during the tofu making process as fertilizer. This is mixed in with a thick layer of organic compost matter. The tea plant is very healthy with many budding off-shoots. These will be hand picked at harvest time. He points out the height that this field was trimed in June of last year and have grown while other fields were harvested 3 to 5 times.

He talked about his philosophy of making Gyokuro which is rooted in his father’s advice “make Gyokuro for the enjoyment of others, don’t be too concerned with money, take pride in the tea”. You can see the evidence of his success as you enter his home and see all the awards and photos of his visitors.

Stay Loose – for  Taste, Health, and Sustainability!

 The flavor released from each fold and crease of a whole leaf tea can not be compared to that which has been ground to dust like particles and trapped in a bag. These small particles of tea dust infuse so quickly that turn bitter quickly and can only be used once.

For health

For the Earth

Are tea bags and ready to drink tea in a bottle sustainable?

The cost

Spring Rain

Here you will find. . .

 Inspiration ~ Information and an Introduction

Tea as More than a Beverage!

We hope you will share and join us as we journey

the world of Chado . . .  the way of tea

Please ENJOY!

16th Generation Tea Co. Owner

Today we were able to spend time with Kanabayashi-san, a tea friend who is the 16th Generation President of a 500 year old tea company! Kanabayashi’s ancestors were personal friends of the great tea master Sen-no-Rikyu who you can see in the scroll behind our own Tea Docent, Nez, and Kanabayashi-san. His family served as the elite tea supplier to the Shoguns “Tokugawa” which makes our connection even more personal. We will be posting an in-depth interview addressing some of the issues a family and business with this type of lineage must overcome to survive and prosper!

Today we took a walk to Gion via  Awata-jinja Shinto Shrine, Marayama Park and Nishiki Food Market!  From the Shrine, which was peaceful and full of energy, we could see the HUGE Torii of Hein-ji  – Marayama Park was BUSY full of people, felt like a holiday and this is a Wednesday! Normally we are not so happy to see crowds, but under the circumstances, seeing so many people, made us feel Hopeful and Thankful.

We did not see many “tourist” really – but LOTS of Japanese with cameras traveling and ENJOYING. The benches were out and people were laying out there “spot” for the day/evening to have a picinic and enjoy the goregous sakura flowers – some on the trees, some blowing and snowing! Walking along Kamo River we were encouraged to see so many enjoying a picinic along the Sakura lined walk ways. So many beautiful ladies in Kimono and many men in Kimono as well!

 In Japan they “say” you will go broke in Tokyo paying for an apartment, you will go broke in Osaka eating out and YES in Kyoto you will go broke buying Kimono. For us being able to see and enjoy the beauty of “Kimono” in Kyoto is one of our greatest joys!

Finally we arrrive at Nishiki Food Market – it is busy and full of fresh fish, vegetables, and super crowded – I am begining to feel like “things are normal” there is a sense of joy and happines in the air and everyone is eating their way through the market!

Charles McJilton Executive Director 2hj.org

We are here for the Tea Harvest, to visit friends and family and to learn!

Part of our discovery is to understand what is really happening in Fukushima and who the people are that are making a difference.

We began by uncovering What it means to be human in the face of an inhuman situation please meet Mr. Charles Mc Jilton, Executive Director of Second Harvest Japan via an excerpt from a 1999 Share International Archives by Charles Mc Jilton

In January 1996 I went to live in a cardboard house along a river in Tokyo. I eventually spent 15 months there and these are some of the things I found.

I found a problem more complex than I previously imagined; I found myself on the receiving end of charity; and I found a group of men living to the best of their ability in an adverse situation. And from those who supposedly have nothing, they freely shared their food, resources, and time with me.

I found Mr. “K “who at 73 years old is the undisputed master-builder of cardboard houses. In the last four years he has taught himself how to build houses able to withstand snow, torrential rain, typhoons, and even flooding. A short man with leathery hands and slow, methodical movements, he is a walking encyclopedia of information. He can tell you the time of sunrise, sunset, low and high tide, and the next full moon without blinking an eye. You want to know about haiku [a form of poetry]? He’ll be glad to help you.

For most of these men this is the end of the line. They will follow in the footsteps of others who have left the world before their time. Few dwell on their own impending death. Their main concern is to get through today, this week, this season. And yet, I found that these men whom you would assume to be quite unhappy seem to have found a way to carry on with as much dignity as possible. Expressions of their humanity still shine forth in an otherwise bleak existence. There is humor, joking, sharing, and concern for one another as they continue to face a hard life.

I existed between two worlds: theirs and corporate Japan. I have to be honest in saying that I feel more comfortable with these men. They have taught me much about the value of human relations and what it means to be human in the face of an inhuman situation. My one desire is for other people to come to know and understand them as I have: my brothers struggling simply to live in the face of adversity.

Nijo Castle Garden

We have arrived in Kyoto after an extra long flight and very empty KIX airport. This will be a very different year for us with all of the tragic events still unfolding. We both have a good feeling that the worse is over and we hope to help bring hope and confidence to our friends, family, tea farmers and business partners. Our journey has begun!
Kyoto seems very quiet – there are not many tourist. Normally this city is about 5/1 tourist to resident. Everyone is enjoying and taking in the beauty of Sakura, a treasured time of year in Japan, however you can sense an underlying sadness that the entire country is feeling.
Nez and I decide a good walk is in order, so from our apartment to the Imperial Palace, over to Nijo Castle and a cab home gains us 18,000 steps! YES we are in Japan