" FABERGE TEA "

The tea fields of Japan are breathtaking...It's where I originally discovered the essence of a first and second picking of tea. The aroma and taste of this earthly foliage is branded into my olfactory nerve forever.

In North America we buy tea in a can, in a bag, in jugs, by the mug and in a cup at restaurants. In Japan, you learn the ancient art of loving tea.
It's impossible to look at the fields( above) and not be dazzled by the beauty of the tea growing in rows ... Funnily enough, I didn't even know tea grew on bushes like this so, I akin it to an educational art form. You're never too old to learn ( ha ha)

One could never imagine the difference of drinking loose, fresh tea from a handmade Japanese cup ... especially if your smelling the bouquet from a pot of Jasmine tea ...mmmmmmmmm... It is truly amazing .

That is why, I am forever hung up, on the euphoria of Jasmine. I import it from Japan in bulk, in first and second picking packages .

My husband brings me gifts of Paradise Jasmine Tea instead of chocolates ... and ... It makes me HAPPY. I love everything related to teatime, so this Christmas, I was treated to an egg- xtraordinary selection of presents ... Teacups and teapots created in the form of Faberge styled art.
Here is one of my beautiful eggshell teapots, crafted by Nova Scotian artist, Cynthia Davis. It's simply fascinating that anyone could design so creatively from an eggshell. Of course, we all know about the famous Faberge eggs owned by the Csars of Russia,(1885) but have you ever seen this delicate artform in reality !!!!

Egg history is fascinating ..... It's an age-old art that dates way back to 800A.D .. and it still delights the eye ... Isn't this a little darling !!!
Some of the eggs are intricately cut and designed with inlaid adornments. And the egg opens by use of hinges, which are fastened to the shells to form the tiny doors. This particular egg is , a goose egg which is approximately two and a half times bigger than a chicken egg. It wouldn't hold much tea though. ( ha Ha ) ... Actually it's only for ornamentation or for those who have a big imagination, like me!!!
As you can see , the lovely geisha has no problem sipping from her pottery cup and admiring the artistry of this Canadian Artist ... If you're interested in learning or seeing more of Cynthia Davis' teapots, cups and Faberge Egg creations... Contact her at : davisfabergeeggs@ns.sympatico.ca

I have another little set to show you next Tuesday... So please, stay tuned for something egg-stra sweet.

Ladies ... Thank You for the pleasure of your company today ... I'm a little giddy, as I didn't have time to make a cup of tea for myself .... So, now I'm off to share some New Years teatimes at your blogs ... May I ask, what brand of tea are you serving today ?