David White

The new shipment has arrived!

I have just received some superb teas from China all of which are for sale but unfortunately some of very limited quantity. Of course more fine teas are on their way and I can also process any special requests for rare teas if people wish.

Most of the previous stock sold really fast, and i am expecting the same with this. My online shop for fine teas of China will be up and running very soon, so in the mean time i will take orders personally via private correspondence. If you would like to purchase any of the following teas please email me at info@classicalacupuncture.com.au.

In addition I have received some excellent Gaiwans for Gongfu Cha or everyday brewing. If you require Yixing Clay pots I will have some in once the site is ready or you may put in a special request. These Gaiwans are inexpensive, all hand made, and beautifully designed.

The Selection:

Spring 2011 Jade Pole Supreme Hand Crafted Yunnan Green Tea  $10.50 per 50g bag or 19.50 per 100g bag.

An incredibly impressive fresh and clean green tea. Each leaf is hand rolled and only a few of these very large leaves are needed per pot. This is one of the highest grade green teas available and yet very inexpensive. This tea will be a staple in my store.

Light Roast Da Hong Pao Wu Yi Shan Oolong Tea. $8.50 per 50g bag or 15.50 per 100g bag.

Da Hong Pao (or “Big Read Robe”) is one of China’s most famous tea. The original Da Hong Pao is so rare it produces approximately 400g of tea per year. This Da Hong Pao is an off shoot (hence the amounts available and price) and heavily oxidized for a smooth malty flavoured tea. Also known as Fujian Rock Tea, Da Hong Pao is a beautiful and easy to drink dark tea.

Certified Organic Jasmine Pearl Tea (Spring 2011). $14.50 per 100g bag.

OTRDC Certified Organic tea from Yunnan. If you are a lover of Jasmine tea this Spring 2011 organic jasmine is of a very high standard and is a pleasure to drink. Light, fresh, and very cleansing on the palate.

Feng Qing “Gold Needle” Autumn 2010 Dian Hong Black Tea.
$14.50 per 100g.

Autumn 2010 tea leaves (1 leaf to 1 bud) from Feng Qing area of Lincang were carefully hand-processed into this lovely tea.  The tea brews up a golden yellow clear color with malt and chocolate flavors and aroma.  A lovely tea both in taste and appearance!

Premium Spring 2011 Silver Needle White Tea. $14.00 per 100g

This White Tea is from the Early Spring 2011 harvest. It is fresh and fruity in flavor. The infused brew is very white and laden with lots of hairs from these buds. High in anti-oxidants and low in caffeine.

Premium Silver Needles White Tea is produced in the southwest of Yunnan province, at an altitude of about 1500 meters above sea level. The rain and wind that nourishes these green tea plants sweeps down from the Tibetan Plateau, ensuring a very pure and tasty leaf.

Aromatic Bamboo Raw Pu-Erh Tea “Xinag Zhu” from 2006. $8.50 per 100g. Only 4 available!!

First flush of spring Dehong area tea is gradually steam softened and tamped down into bamboo sections in fire pits.  This aromatic bamboo is unique to Mangshi area of Dehong and must be harvested in August.  Small fire pits are dug in the village ground and are stoked with bamboo charcoal.  The bamboo sections are placed closed end down into the fire pits, as the bamboo heats up the aromatic water vapor in the bamboo sections is released as steam.  The sun-dried mao cha is gradually pushed into the hot steaming section of bamboo, and tamped down as it becomes softened by the steam.  Once the bamboo sections are filled with tea the sections are allow to roast in the fire a while longer before being removed to a kind of oven room where they are allowed to dry for 2 or 3 days.  The charred bamboo sections are then removed and will be processed into bamboo charcoal for further use.The tea itself is subtly aromatic with floral tones.  The tea brews easily and isn’t too fussy.  The tea liquor is golden yellow and transparent.  With aging this tea will develop orchid aromas with a hint of sugarcane.

2010 Menhai “Da Yi Gong Tuo” Ripe Pu-Erh tea. $8.50 per 100g Tuo / Cake.

A premium Da Yi limited edition ripe tuo in box.  Medium-light fermentation Menghai area material.  Smooth and full taste!

I also have many more Pu-Erh teas available, Yixing Red Clay, Ceramic, and Glass Gaiwans available for sale. Please contact me for details.

In good health,

David White Classical Acupuncture

David White’s Crows Nest Acupuncture Clinic has had a very busy month. As the end of the teaching semester has come the Crows Nest acupuncture clinic has been operating at full speed! The clinic’s herbal dispensary is complete with both raw herbs and powdered herbs. David ensures that each herbal product is of the highest quality and is able to instruct each person on the cooking and preparation methods as well as discussing each ingredient with his patients to educate them on Chinese herbal medicine.

This coming August will see the second annual Scholar’s Retreat of the International Society for the Study of Classical Acupuncture (ISSCA) of which David is a founding member and the Chief-Editor of the Journal. David will present on classical pulse and palpation techniques of the Neijing and hopes to take in many of the scenes of the west coast of the states. In addition David is planning to meet with some excellent tea masters and merchants of rare teas in the Oregon region, this will include some tea ceremony lessons which he will bring back to his Crows Nest Acupuncture clinic. Please visit www.isscaonline,.org.

Speaking of tea, contacts with some of China’s best exporters of fine and rare tea have been made and the products are slowly coming in. David will soon have an online store where one will be able to purchase high-end tea and teawares. In the mean time people interested in specific teas can either come via the Crows Nest acupuncture clinic or email David. The teas and teaware will be posted in this blog.

Once the weather warms up David will host outdoor tea and meditation sessions and private Qigong classes. Please stay tuned for more information on these events at Crows Nest Acupuncture!

In good health,

David White, Crows Nest Acupuncture Clinic www.classicalacupuncture.com.au

Tea: Wu Liang Hong Mao Feng Spring 2011 Yunnan Black Tea from Simao, Pu-er, Yunnan.

I was very pleased when i received some special teas in a recent shipment that my supplier was kind enough to slip a generous sample of an incredibly fine and flavoursome rare tea into my order. The Wu Liang Hong Mao Feng is a rather rare black tea from the Si Mao mountain region. An immensely smooth tea with an incredibly surprising aroma. I feel this tea will become a favourite among my customers in the near future.

Mao Feng 毛峰 is essentially a selection process of tea manufacturers. It is when the leaf selectors choose leaves and buds of equal length, which often results in a broad, flat, and slightly curved leaf. Huang Shan mountain range in Anhui province (where I was fortunate enough to undertake my hospital internship nearly a decade ago) produces are very famous “Mao Feng” tea. The Wu Liang Hong Mao Feng leaf is selected from a high altitude in early Spring and then fermented and “formed” into a black tea.

Review:

Upon opening the packet i was instantly surprised by the immensely fruity and powerfully aromatic fragrance that this tea emits. The aroma is smooth, round, and has a beautiful “light” quality to it that makes you want to go back for more. The leaves (as pictured above) are a nice mixture of light yellow and dark brown – and they are large and curved like general Mao Feng.

I steeped this tea in a cooling 95C spring water. As soon as the water hit the leaves began to “breathe” and open, the aroma grew stronger and by just deeply inhaling the steam I could already taste this tea. The first steep produced a very smooth, fruity and floral flavour – no bitterness or astringency, and incredibly smooth. Despite being light this tea has an immediate warming effect on the body usually felt from quality Pu-Erh. The second steep brought out the rich golden brown liquor – even though stronger in look and taste the tea remains smooth. I can see this tea would be a great everyday tea and would favour those who already have the palate for black, non-Chinese, tea.

Summary:

A perfect tea for everyday for those who love smooth tastes and aromas and would be a great bridge into the world of rare Chinese black teas.

Availability:

Being so impressed with this tea i will do my best to make it a staple at my store for 2011. Stay tuned for when the shipment arrives – i would estimate that this tea will cost around $9 – $12 per 100grams or so making this tea incredibly affordable (something which can be just as rare as the tea itself).

In good health,

David White Classical Acupuncture

June 2011 David White Classical Acupuncture in Crows Nest:

• Finally, after many visits from electricians and the telephone company EFTPOS is now available at the Crows Nest acupuncture clinic. Thank you to all my patients for being, well, patient.

• The Crows Nest clinic has now got a full raw and powdered Chinese herbal dispensary. For those in need of herbal medicine a consultation is required, where it can be determined which formula and which type of herbal medicine is needed and most suited for your condition. All of David White Classical Acupuncture’s herbs are sourced from well renowned importers and all undergo stringent quarantine inspection. No endangered species (animal or plant) are used what-so-ever in David White’s practice.

• As previously posted David White is now importing rare and fine teas from specific regions of China which are normally not available publicly in Australia. David’s passion for fine tea has led to contacts with some excellent suppliers, factories and farms throughout East-Asia. For years David has dealt with the supply of high quality Chinese and Japanese teas, however, his more recent love for Pu-Erh from Yunnan has led to more depth in understanding the beauty and wonder of rare teas. For more information please either email David at info@classicalacupuncture.com.au or click here.

• In addition to the above teas David will also be supplying some exceptional tea ware’s such as Gaiwan’s, pots, glasses, and trays. These will be for sale and for viewing at the clinic in Crows Nest.

In good health,

David White Classical Acupuncture

I have just received some great teas, which i will review in detail shortly. Currently the selection includes some excellent everyday teas and some exceptional rare teas of the Yunnan province. Here is a list of some of the teas available, all are available at David White Classical Acupuncture in Crows Nest. Some of these teas have been aged by over 6 years and are ideal for drinking immediately while others may need a few years to be at the optimal drinking stage. Pu-Erh is a very special tea with very unique flavours, incredible health benefits and immense energetic properties.

Current Selection Available:

• 2005 Dehong “Golden Melon” Raw Pu-Erh. 500g Tuo for $44.00. 4 Available.
• 2007 Bai Ying Shan “Qing Tuo” Raw Pu-Erh. 250g Tuo for $22.50. 4  Available.
• 2007 Mengku “Grade 1 Loose” Ripe Pu-Erh. 100g loose leaf for $16.50.
• 2007 Jiu Wan Ripe Pu-Erh Tuo Tea Cube. $3.00 per cube.
• 2007 CNNP Ripe Mini Tuo Pu-Erh Te. $2.50 per mini-tuo.
• 2008 Feng Qing Raw Pu-Erh Tuo’s. 50g Tuo for $9.50. 5 Available.

A selection of fine and rare green, white, black, oolong and certified organic teas are also available and will be for sale on this site in the near future.

Please email or call the clinic if you would like to come in and taste some of the teas available or if you wish to reserve some of the above teas.

In good health,

David White Classical Acupuncture

Tiě Guān Yīn 鐵 觀 音

The Iron Goddess. Tiě Guān Yīn is the most popular of the Oolong tea varieties. It originates from Anxi County in Fujian Province, China, however, much of the quality Tiě Guān Yīn found in Australia also comes from Taiwan.

Why the “Iron Goddess”? It is said that when one drops the leaf of Tiě Guān Yīn into their pot it will make the ringing sound of iron. Guān Yīn is a Bodhisattva of compassion and is often depicted as a female (hence “goddess”, although much of the early Buddhist depicted Guān Yīn as male) and is a model of Chinese beauty and brings relief to those who are enduring suffering. Guān Yīn literally means “observing the cries of the world”.

The Leaf:

The leaf of Tiě Guān Yīn is very aromatic, of a medium size, and can range in colour from a light “fresh” green (as pictured above) or a darker aged brown (roasted). The leaves are more than often “balled” or “rolled”. The aroma is most vital – it should have sense of cleanliness on your palate immediately and one should also be able to “smell the green”. This can take time to appreciate, however, it is worth experimenting with as it can enhance you tea experience greatly.

Brewing:

Brewing is where tea comes to life, the interaction between water, tea, pot, heat, steam, cup, and mouth are part of the meditation of tea (often seen within the ceremony Chadao or Chanoyu). Finding the right water can be difficult, however, out of practical means it is best to ensure you use clean water (sometimes twice boiled). If you have the time boil your water over a live flame. The right pot can make all the difference to the taste and health benefits of tea. Below are some recommendations for making great Tiě Guān Yīn:

• Yixing purple clay pots are the ideal pots for all high-quality Chinese teas and are a must for Gongfu tea,
• Treated cast-iron pots are great for everyday use, traditional Japanese pots allow for a very smooth taste and keep you tea warm for a long time.
• A Gaiwan (pictured below) is recommended for any tea and are especially useful for those making tea for one.
• Ceramic and glass are fine for everyday brewing.
• If using stainless steel for Tiě Guān Yīn you will most likely find that the tea will taste slightly harsh, especially if you let it sit for too long.

Tiě Guān Yīn is a tea that welcomes a higher temperature to most, so water that is just off the boil is perfect for allowing the leaf to fully open and the aromas to expand. Oolong in general is better as a “hot” tea so ensure that you don’t let the water cool too much.

Finding the right Tiě Guān Yīn:

This will naturally depend on your location and how much you are willing to spend. Rather than suggest brands i feel it is more appropriate that you experiment with different brands and importers. If Tiě Guān Yīn is a tea to your liking then the journey of finding the right one and learning how to brew it will be part of the enjoyment of tea.

In good health,

David White Classical Acupuncture

www.classicalacupuncture.com.au