(not really) Live Report from Taiwan – Part II

By Guang, 29 September, 2008, 3 Comments

The original plan was to finish the Part II of the Live report from Taiwan immediately after visiting Nantou plantations. But I guess I spent too much time trying to say goodbye to all the great foods there … I am back in Houston today. So, here is my (not really) Live report Part II.

The road conditions of most high-mountain plantations in central part of Taiwan were so bad that my friends warned me not to risk visiting. So I changed my plan to visit LuGu – the birth place of the most famous Dong-Ding Oolong.
There is a friend, Mr. Su, whose family has been in YongLong village for generations as tea farmers and producers. YongLong village is one of the main Dong-Dong oolong plantations in LuGu. The bad weather gave me an excellent excuse to visit Mr. Su and recharged my knowledge and craving for great Dong-Ding. (The photo on the right is the old house of Mr. Su’s family).

While almost all of the tea plants on his farm are of Chin-Shin (green-centered) oolong cultivar, we did find several isolated Si Cha – the genuine Taiwan tea plant cultivar. The oldest one is more than 70 years old, as far as Mr. Su can remembered. The plant is not very tall, because they just deep trim (call “baldheading”) it two years ago to revitalize its growth.

Guang

Live Report from Taiwan – Part I

By Guang, 21 September, 2008, 4 Comments

Almost the same time Houston was hit by Hurricane Ike, Taiwan was struck by Typhoon Sinlaku – a super slow-moving typhoon that brought extreme rainfall in most part of Taiwan. My original plan to visit and document several major high-mountain plantations had to be halted.

The latest news from our cooperative Hwa Gan plantation in Li Shan mountain range was pretty bad – as we heard from a rescue team who passed by the area, the plantation had probably been “moved” by flood or mudslide at least 50m away! We will not be able to know the overall damages unitl we can really visit the area, hopefully in a month.

So I had no choice but to stay in Taipei. This, on the other hand, gave me more time to visit ceramic artists for excellent teaware. Besides Mr. Xu De-Jia – whom I believe many of you have known his name and his Celadon craftsmanship, I visited Taiwan’s “Tian Mu (Tenmoku) Master” Shao Yi-Yian and Mr. Lee Lian-Chuan, who has devoted to develope highest-quality porcelain teaware.

Due to the problem with his eyesight, Mr. Shao has almost stop making any more tian mu tea bowls. I felt luckly to be able to acquire several of his works and share with our customers.

The porcelain teaware from Mr. Lee are also incredible (see the blue-and-white Cha Hai with calligraphy). He and his wife are responsible for the design, glaze and firing of each and every piece, and invite famous Taiwan artists to finish calligraphy or paintings on the body. The most famous series from them is the Calligraphy teaware, which have become “standard” in most tea lovers’ collections. The artist, Wen An, who does the calligraphy has been recognized by a National award.

So you can expect a lot of exciting new stuffs from Hou De in October!

Tomorrow (Monday) I will drive down to Nan Tou to see how far I can go and try my best to visit tea plantations and friends. Will do Live Report Part II soon.

Guang

Hurricane Ike Preparation – and Aftermath

By Guang, 12 September, 2008, 20 Comments

Dear Friends,

As you know, we are anxiously waiting the big Hurricane Ike to make its final landfall towards Galveston/Houston on Saturday. I am in Taiwan, so Irene has to do all preparations herself. We will stop processing/sending all orders until … as soon as we can. Hopeful everybody will be safe through the Hurricane, and we will be spared the water shortage and blackout problems.

So, tighten your seatbelt, and be safe!
Guang from Taipei

Update after Ike:

Comparing to what many others in Galveston/Houston are experiencing, the damages to our family are pretty minor. The fence was blown apart, several major tree branches were downed (hope the roof was safe). Friends and neighbors had come to help Irene move the debris and partly bring up the fence. Electricity is ok, water is near normal.

Our hearts go to those who have suffered from Ike or may still waiting for rescue.

Update from Irene:

Dear All, Thank you all for all your warm supports and good wishes for us. It was indeed very stressful to face Ike alone here without Guang. But you made it easier for me to pass through it.

Thanks,
Irene

Trip to Taiwan, 9/8 ~ 9/26

By Guang, 8 September, 2008, 3 Comments

Dear Friends,

I am leaving today to go visit my family in Taiwan; will be back on 9/26. Irene stays in Houston to keep serving you Hou De as usual. But I can guess she will have her hands pretty full most of the time just trying to run after our daughter and fulfill all orders you guys kindly send in So please be a bit more patient on the speed of order processing.

I surely will visit several plantations and ceramic artists, and bring back really interesting teas and teawares. Also I will bring back more treasures (yixings and aged pu-erhs) from my storage in Taiwan to Houston.

By the end of this month and October you will see a whole array of exciting new things on Hou De! So, good bye and good luck!

Guang

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Hou De Tea Blog

Archive for September, 2008

(not really) Live Report from Taiwan – Part II

Live Report from Taiwan – Part I

Hurricane Ike Preparation – and Aftermath

Trip to Taiwan, 9/8 ~ 9/26

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