Thursday 19 May 2016

The Dragon and the Phoenix: using a scent cup


Singing Bird Tea

Fortune Cookie
Một nụ cười là hộ chiếu của bạn vào trái tim của người khác.
A smile is your passport into the heart of others.
Tea as a specialised practice in Vietnam dates back to the Le dynasty beginning in 1426.

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In the Vietnamese, Taiwanese and Chinese style tea ceremony, at its highest form, the aroma of the tea is enjoyed as well as its taste. In this case, the tea is first poured into the tea jug, and then into a scent cup.

Please visit Singing Bird Tea for a small range of Vietnamese made teas including Oolongs, green, black, flower and wild tree white, green and black teas.


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The drinking cup is placed upside down over the top of the scent cup and balanced there. This is known as the Dragon and the Phoenix.
In Vietnamese, con rồng và phượng trong sự hiệp tốt lành meaning 'the dragon
and phoenix in auspicious union.'
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This is a ritualised action is viewed by some as a form of prayer for the prosperity, wellbeing, and happiness of the guests.

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The two are inverted so that the scent cup is upside down in the drinking cup. In Vietnamese this is known as 'cá chép hóa trên,' in Chinese 鲤鱼翻身.
In English 'the carp turns over.'
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The final stage, respectfully receiving the fragrant tea, occurs when the scent cup is lifted and the tea is released into the drinking cup. The guest can then enjoy the aroma of the tea from the scent cup before consuming the tea from her or his drinking cup. Following etiquette the drinker can drink their tea in three sips; the first a small one, the second the main one, and the last an after taste.
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Vietnamese pink oolong (GABA) from the central highlands was used here.

This tea, rolled in balls in the Taiwanese style, is one of my favourite teas, not just because of its inherent qi but its colour, deep taste with a little smoke, caramel and long, rich aftertaste.
The tea is processed with nitrogen rather than the usual process with oxygen. The result is a calming tea that lowers blood pressure and reduces anxiety and depression.
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Va tat nhien roi,


Happy Tea Drinking!

Please visit Singing Bird Tea for a small range of Vietnamese made teas including Oolongs, green, black, flower and wild tree white, green and black teas.



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