Akira Hojo | HOJO Online Speciality Tea Shop- Part 25

[2013.04.23]

The ultimate self-sufficient lifestyle of Yunnan minority people

• Tea Column
• Foods
• China
• Chinese Cooking
• Pu-erh Tea and Dark Tea
• Raw Pu-erh Tea
• Yunnan

Whenever I went to Yunnan minority villages, one thing always gave me a very deep impression.   Lifestyle following the tradition They have very complete self-sufficient lifestyle. Any food they eat is collected from plants surrounding their house. They cultivate a variety of crops like rice, beans, corn, wheat and etc. They also produce bean …

[2013.04.22]

Not every clay teapot could get along with Tetsubin/Cast Iron Kettle

• Teapot and Tea Equipment
• Japanese Teapot and Tea Equipment
• Japanese cast iron kettle/Tetsubin
• Science between the taste of tea and material

Tetsubin produced from different brands are casted from different metal combinations Tetsubin, literally means “iron kettle” in Japanese. However it is not necessary built from 100% of iron. In Japan, every cast iron maker has their own formula to blend the iron with other minerals. As a result, the taste differs significantly from one brand …

[2013.04.21]

Wild tea “Mao-Cha” on sale only for a limited time

• New Arrival at HOJO Online Shop
• Types of Tea
• China
• Pu-erh Tea and Dark Tea
• Raw Pu-erh Tea
• Raw Pu-erh Tea Processing
• What's New?
• Yunnan

  There are a number of wild tea trees naturally growing in Da Xue Shan. Da Xue Shan is one of the provincial Nature Reserve of Yunnan Province. These areas are managed by the Chinese authority and it is not easy for the outsiders and foreigners to access. Moreover, from Lincang it takes at least …

[2013.04.20]

Limited and precious Ming Qian pu-erh tea in Lincang

• How to choose quality tea
• Altitude
• China
• Environmental factors
• Factors that affects tea quality
• Pu-erh Tea and Dark Tea
• Raw Pu-erh Tea
• Weather and Climate
• Yunnan

  Qian Long Jing. In Chinese, Ming Qian means before Qing Ming (清明節, 4th of April). Although less people know, the word “Ming Qian” is also used for Pu-erh tea. Some people would think Ming Qian should not be associated with Pu-erh tea. In a way, it is YES but No. Regardless of whether the …

[2013.04.14]

Cha-tou, the Manufacturers’ favorite pu-erh ripe tea

• Types of Tea
• China
• Fermented Tea
• Post Fermented Tea
• Pu-erh Tea and Dark Tea
• Ripe Pu-erh Tea
• Ripe Pu-erh Tea Processing
• Yunnan

The cha-tou is one kind of pu-erh ripe tea produced during the tea making process. The manufacturer often emphasizes that it is the most delicious and precious pu-erh ripe tea. The size and shape of cha-tou is irregular, and it is naturally formed. Cha-tou is naturally formed during fermentation The fermentation of pu-erh ripe tea …

[2013.04.08]

The secret of making ripe pu-erh tea

• Tea Processing
• China
• Fermented Tea
• Post Fermented Tea
• Pu-erh Tea and Dark Tea
• Ripe Pu-erh Tea
• Ripe Pu-erh Tea Processing
• Yunnan

  One of the important objectives in this Yunnan trip is to look for the good ripe pu-erh. I have visited more than five manufacturers in the past one week. I would like to share some photos and knowledge in making ripe pu-erh tea.   Material used for ripe pu-erh Generally, majority of ripe pu-erh …

[2013.04.07]

Massive hailstones near the Myanmar border

• Origin of Tea
• Tea Business Operation
• China
• Procurement for Tea and Tea Equipment
• Pu-erh Tea and Dark Tea
• Raw Pu-erh Tea
• Yunnan

  The pu-erh tea from Myanmar In Yunnan, we went to a village situated at the border to Myanmar to source for pu-erh tea. We wish if we are able to introduce some teas from Myanmar. According to local Chinese who live nearby the border to Myanmar, they have close communication, and in the past …

[2013.04.04]

The warm welcoming by pu-erh tea farmer with home-cooked lunch

• Tea Column
• China
• Pu-erh Tea and Dark Tea
• Raw Pu-erh Tea
• Yunnan

Looking out the ideal tea in the minority’s village of Yunnan, we often have an honor to have lunch or dinner together with the farmer’s family. For them, the tea buyer is the most important guest in a year. They always serve us lunch as the highest welcome.     Very precious menus They cook …

[2013.04.03]

Close-up photo of pan-frying process for making pu-erh tea

• Tea Processing
• China
• Fermented Tea
• Pu-erh Tea and Dark Tea
• Raw Pu-erh Tea
• Raw Pu-erh Tea Processing
• Yunnan

I am now staying in a small village situated at high mountain area (about 1500m a.s.l) in Ling Cang. I visited one farmer’s house for selecting Mao Cha (i.e., the crude tea of raw pu-erh tea). When I reached the destination, they were conducting the pan-frying process.   Different styles of pan-frying process I visited …

[2013.04.01]

Visiting Rahu race pu-erh hunter in Da Xue Shan

• Origin of Tea
• China
• Pu-erh Tea and Dark Tea
• Raw Pu-erh Tea
• Yunnan

I arrived in the village located on the foot of Da Xue Shan. Today onwards, I am visiting various manufactures, farmers and pu-erh tea hunters. Firstly, I have visited a lady who is the Lahu race（拉祜族). She has a contract with several farmers. They are sending her the freshly produced tea on a daily basis. …