How to Make a Gift Basket – Roman Basket Making

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History has it that the Romans had a rich culture of arts & crafts. The Romans keen enthusiasm made them create timeless pieces of crafts using dyeing, basket making, weaving, woodturning, cooking iron working and metal casting. Today too basket making is practiced but with more variations and details. Basket making for those who know it is an event in itself. Incase you too want to get up close with this art then it is better that we 1st learn the different types of types and methods of basket making. Enlisted here are few details that would be vital to start this art:

1. Let’s first learn some fundamental terms:

· Weaver: In here there are basket strands which have holes through which weaving is done, these are normally light, slimmer & more flexible as compared to spokes, this features allows for weaving inside out to take place.

· Spoke: In here the strands stands erect and form the support system of the basket; Spoke are rigid in nature compared to weavers & strong too.

· Inner & Upper weaving: This technique is the most common of all because it is the most simplest.

2. It must be known that double weaving is quite the same thing but there are two weavers implied for the job. This type of weaving is ideal on big surfaces, it is good for bands or designs of similar or dissimilar color on plain type of rattan baskets.

3. Keep in mind that pairing can be done with either even or odd number of spokes. 2 weavers are used behind 2 succeeding spokes, thereafter they make a cross between them, in this process the weavers change each time.

4. How to notice a triple twist. In here 3 weavers are there behind 3 successive spokes, beginning from back one, then above two & lastly the lesser spoke, each of these while going back of third spoke on being laid above other two weavers.

5. COILING: This method requires a group of strands or slim rods is sewed within round form having a slim, bendable element to make coiled baskets. There are numerous variations of stitching methods like interweaving multi-colored strands and copper, golden or silver metallic strands could be used for added attractiveness.

6. TWINING: Even in this method 2 or more bendable items can be used to join some other base element. Whenever 2 weavers work simultaneously, the method is known as pairing. Similarly when 3 or in access of 3 elements are curved it is known as waling. Many variations can be done just by binding rows hardly one row over the other or else by letting the warp be open, leaving a warp crossed, twining plain, wrapping the warp, among others.

7. WEAVING: There are two essentials in woven baskets. The 1st being unbendable spokes that form a warp & 2nd being additionally soft elements that are woven inside to outside so that a weft is formed.

8. PLAITING: The process of stitching similar elements together is known as Plaiting. Weavers & stakes are the same materials. The two are woven to cojoin at right hand angles in vertical, horizontal and diagonal orientation in simple or twill weaves. Plaiting can be done in either closed work or open checker-work.

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Source by Angela Smith

Best Christmas Gifts for Unemployed

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Given the state of today’s economy, as well as the current unemployment rate, there will be many who will find it necessary to cut back on Christmas expenses this year. Chances are, there is at least one person on your Christmas list that is currently unemployed. Deciding what to give this person may be a difficult decision for some. An expensive, frivolous gift that they may not get much use out of is probably not a good decision. For the person who is currently unemployed, a thoughtful, more practical gift will likely be much more appreciated. Here are a few suggestions:

•Everybody loves to greet their friends and family with a fresh Christmas wreath hung on the door! In addition, a Christmas wreath can help bring joy and Christmas spirit to the person who may find it necessary to cut corners on Christmas this year. The person who is unemployed this season will likely not spend money on Christmas decorations.

•Buy them a gift certificate or tickets for some fun event or entertainment that their whole family can enjoy. If they love movies buy a gift certificate to the movies, skating,
sports events are all things they wouldn’t treat themselves to which would be a real treat for them. Also, gift certificates to restaurants are always a great gift.

•Buy a large, useful container, such as a laundry basket or trashcan, and fill it with everyday items. You may also include a few snacks or pampering items they may not think to buy for themselves, such as a package of fresh herbal tea, or some relaxing bath oils or candles.

•Take Christmas to them this year. Bring a little excitement and joy to what might be a bit of a depressing season for them this year. Load up your car with Christmas essentials, such as decorations, Christmas music, cookie or candy making supplies, and a bright, cheerful smile, and haul it all over to their home for some Christmas fun. You could even tie a tree to the top of your vehicle.!

•Think of a creative way to give them money, such as tied to the branches of a money tree. While some may consider a simple gift of money to not have much thought behind it, it may be the most thoughtful gift you could give to the person on your list that is currently unemployed.

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Source by Karen Jebbia

Cool Valentine Gift For Your Love One

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A nice gift basket will definitely bring a cute and big smile on your partner’s face and in return you will just feel out of the world. The main thing to keep in mind is that you must stuff the Valentines Day gift Basket with perfect and reserving gifts that can set the day on fire. ifting a yoga class to your near and dear ones means your concern and care for their health and well being. Many instances people want to give a try to this but might be ended up postponing it regularly. When it came as a gift by you, they definitely feel this precious and feel like their dreams come true with the help of your gift.

A sexy present that you could both enjoy is lingerie. It doesn’t have to be expensive, heck it can come from the discount store, but it should be pretty. Anything red, pink, lacy, satiny, gauzy, or delicate is a winner. You might want to peek at her clothing size before you make a purchase though. These gifts are constantly rolling across your TV screens and there are many companies out there just waiting to take your order. Order by mail, over the phone, on the internet, or in person. You can even put one of these together yourself for a fraction of the costs.

By now you will undoubtedly be aware of your partner’s interests and particular strain of geekery, and thus you need to base your Valentine’s Day gifts around those interests. This shows your loved one that you’re well versed in what they like and that you care. Portable units are typically designed for temporary use, meaning they can be set up and used for a few months as needed, and then easily disassembled or collapsed and stored during the off season. Many portable greenhouses are ideally sized to fit on a small deck or patio, which can be great for townhome dwellers who don’t have any green space they can call their own.

These are available in various styles ranging from classical to modern. They are available in many exciting designs and you can select the ones to complement the wearers dressing style. The most common is the classical style in solid sterling silver. It is very flashy and stylish and has never been out of fashion since their inception. Some stores will charge you a small fee to deliver it to the receiver. The charge usually consists of handling and shipping. It may take hours or a day for your gift to reach the receiver based on the delivery store you make use of.

It will be a fascinating moment if you will present your lover with an attractive and beautiful collage of the photographs of you two. Trust me girls, this can be very beautiful if you know for sure that he is from head to heal in love with you. This kind of unique Valentines Day Gift. A lot of men like receiving Valentine’s Day gifts which they can relate to. For example, you can buy books or magazines for those who love reading, music CDs for those inclined to music and clothes for who love dressing well.

As weird as it may seem, if your guy is walking down the street and someone asks him what time it is, for a brief moment he will feel special and needed. A nice watch will also make him feel confident. With so many colors and styles to choose from, you will have to do a little investigating for this one too. Gift vouchers may not be the most innovative option but it is special all the same, as it gives the recipient the gift of choice and freedom to buy anything. Food coupons, life style and apparel vouchers make ideal for that special someone. They may be accompanied with other gifts like flowers, cakes or wine.

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Source by Benson Rudd

Joel Sauceda (CEO Big Value Depot) Believes in Giving Back to the Community

Joel Sauceda is a man of integrity and honesty. It shows up in many ways and one of those ways is his contribution to charities. If you are trying to find out what kind of person Joel Sauceda is just read this excerpt from his biography and it will answer any questions you have. Believe me before you finish you will know that he is honest and wants to help you. This will definitely help you make an informative decision as to whether or not to join him in business like Big Value Depot.
Joel Sauceda’s exact words from his biography. “I have always believed in “giving back” to the community in which I do business. Someone gave me a chance when I was in need and I believe in doing the same for others. San Antonio is a community that has enabled this C MINUS student to build businesses and thrive despite the odds being stacked against me. I am greatly appreciative to the many mentors and people within this city who have given me a “step up” and NOT a “hand out”

It is NOT About Me!

My goals are not only about personal success but watching others grow despite their life challenges. It is for this reason that I have chosen to endorse local charities so I can be actively involved and have more of a “hands on” approach to helping people. I like to SEE who my gifts are impacting..that motivates me to do more!

The big question that any person who wants to “give back” should ask is this..”How Do I Give And Stretch That GIFT So It Impacts MORE than one person and more important, MORE generations to come?”

Invest In Children…

Kids parents are NOT all created equal and unfortunately there are many children who do not have the benefit of good advice or even positive re-inforcement. These are the children that my heart bleeds for. These kids deserve a better chance because after all, it is NOT their fault for where they were born or WHO gave birth to them.

My goal is to impact children who did not have the start in life that they COULD of had and to let them know that they have it in them to do better. God created them and therefore they are special and ALL have unique gifts (It is just a matter of helping them find out WHAT those gifts are!).

I Joel Sauceda am proud to endorse a community center based in San Antonio and named after a HERO who I admire. That HERO to children is none other than SONNY MELENDREZ. Sonny has given of his time over the years and spoken at over 1100 schools to THOUSANDS of kids, sharing the message of HOPE with them. It was not long ago that a community center which at that time was CINDER BLOCKS and NO air conditioning (in a VERY hot city) was named after Sonny and many of San Antonio’s most prominent business men and women came together to help fund the rebuilding of this center and today it is a place where kids can go to use the internet, play basket ball, soccer and get away from gangs etc. This is positive and is impacting kids and their families for GENERATIONS to come. I am proud to support this center and my goal is to offer mentoring to the kids to want it who do not have that in their own homes. It is time to give back!

Below are some pictures of the community center and soon we will post a dontation link that will enable you to “GIVE BACK” as well. Although you may be in another state or even country, this is a chance for you to impact this part of the world and you can rest assured that Sonny and I will maximize that offering by giving of our time and experience to these kids.”

In summary, after reading this it should eliminate any doubts you might have about this man’s honesty and integrity. Joel Sauceda wants to help you and many others. Actions speak louder than words and his actions are definitely shown here.

Source by Jackson Kane

Christmas Gift Ideas for Your Boss

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Each Christmas holiday season, we may face a difficult task: purchasing Christmas gifts for family and friends. When it comes to buying for the boss, you may feel puzzle that how to approach it. You don’t have to get some expensive Christmas gifts for him/her, but it is just a nice gesture to show your boss you care and are thankful for them. Here are a few Christmas <a target=”_new” rel=”nofollow” onclick=”javascript:ga(‘send’, ‘pageview’, ‘/outgoing/article_exit_link/3473108’);” href=”http://www.newgiftbag.com/”> gift ideas</a> for the boss who is hard to buy for.

It seems like most bosses like to golf. If your boss is also a golfer, buy him personalized golf balls for Christmas gift would be a hit. Print his name on these balls, but something you should notice that make sure these golf balls are really in good quality.

Calendar always is every boss’ necessity. A personalized calendar is one of great Christmas <a target=”_new” rel=”nofollow” onclick=”javascript:ga(‘send’, ‘pageview’, ‘/outgoing/article_exit_link/3473108′);” href=”http://www.newgiftbag.com/”> gift ideas</a>. You can look for a calendar has pictures of his interest or some motivate quotes. A unique idea would be try to make your own one. You can collect all the employees’ photos with different expressions of them working. Then use online software to create a special calendar as his Christmas gift.

Another one of <a target=”_new” rel=”nofollow” onclick=”javascript:ga(‘send’, ‘pageview’, ‘/outgoing/article_exit_link/3473108’);” href=”http://www.newgiftbag.com/”> unique gift ideas</a> is gourmet food and drink baskets. Gift baskets seem never go wrong with any occasions. So select some gourmet items that your boss favorite, gather them together in a nice basket. Now there are so many choices of gift basket in the market, or you can make your own one. But never forget that wrap with a card in it. You can only write: merry Christmas together with your signature.

At last, you should remember that keep the gift simple and appropriate. Your boss will appreciate your thoughtful mind.

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Source by newgiftbag

Gift Ideas and Suggestions For Your Boyfriend

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It doesn’t matter that whether you and your boyfriend have been together for so long or not, you should focus your search for boyfriend gift ideas to just a few areas to begin with though. He still deserves a gift from you on his birthday, the idea of Boyfriend birthday gift are really great way in order to patch up a relationship at more warm level. If you start looking at too many different things you will find it harder to pick a good one and might even run out of time before the big day! If you are an intelligent gift selector, you can easily find a gift of his desires. As he celebrates his birthday, he typically expects something from you.

If you are thinking about his likes and dislikes then just think if he likes any particular sport or game, if he is a big fan of NASCAR you might even be able to get him a stock car driving experience. Give him something romantic for his birthday. If your boyfriend is sentimental then you could gift him flowers and if he likes the mushy stuff there are also a lot of different cute boyfriend gift ideas.

If you find flowers are only for women then you are wrong, he’ll probably never forget such day if you gift him a flower gift. To find the perfect boyfriend gift you need to take into account your boyfriends interests. If you would like to put on some efforts in order to select a gift then you might cook for him as well and then invite him for a dinner for two. If he is someone who likes sports, then tickets to a ball game or sports apparel might not be a bad choice.

Give him something that he wanted to own from a long time, it is always good to choose a boyfriend birthday gift that he is truly likes. No matters you need boyfriend birthday gift ideas or any other event ideas the first thing you need to decide is how much money you are willing to spend on this gift item. If he likes to own gadgets then you can get him something that he would truly love to have. If however, money is an issue you will have to be a little more creative. If he is a car lover you can buy something for his car.

If you are on the wilder side of imagination then you can give him something intimate yet an amusing gift. If money isn’t a concern and you just want to find something special and unique for your then you just need to find something that you think he will like. There are a lot of choices to think for so you need to just find the best one that can match your feelings of boyfriend gift, don’t get lost with all of the stores and online sites that you can search. The idea of a traditional gift basket is also nice you can fill it with sweets or personalized toiletries of his or your choice.

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Source by Anand

Looking for Great Gift Ideas for Second Wedding Anniversary?

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Anniversary is always an occasion to celebrate togetherness and your bond of love. The tradition of celebrating anniversaries began in medieval times.  There is no better way to express your love for the beloved than giving the perfect gift. First anniversary is always a unique experience but this does not make the second or third one less important, rather every year brings itself more understanding and maturity. Most people get stuck with gift ideas for second wedding anniversary because they have now known the person for a longer duration and want to gift them something which is endearing.

The gift theme for second wedding anniversary is generally cotton and china. Cotton represents practicality, flexibility and durability, while China denotes beauty and elegance. They are both traditional concepts yet modern themes. Generally by the time couples reach the phase of second anniversary they become quite familiar with the habits and instincts of their soul mate. So gifting something which explains sensibility and grace makes a great gift.

With respect to cotton there is a wide range of products available. Buying something pertaining to your partner’s interest is a good idea. We can give shirts or jersey of their favorite teams or something that can be worn in the evening dinner on the anniversary day. Monogrammed or personalized towels, photo pillow, blankets, quilts, cotton robes and lingerie all make great gifts. To add an emotional touch we can write poetry or a love song inside the gift wrap.

China is a more modern gift. It is difficult to find a suitable gift for husbands which fits this theme because china is something which is more preferable for ladies. But the items made of china makes a great gift which the couples can cherish in their home for a very long time. It can be china dishes, vases, figurines or sculpture, and pen and pencil, keepsake boxes or photo albums made of china. Gifting a combination of both china and cotton is also a pleasant idea. Like a china vase having handmade cotton flowers. A Poem written on cotton cloth decorated in a china frame. With respect to the gift ideas for second wedding anniversary it is said that the more personalized gift you give the stronger your bond grows.

Gem Stones and Flowers are some of the traditional gifts which can go on any anniversary. Garnet is the official birthstone adopted by American National Association of Jewelers in 1912. Garnet may be given as a Gem on the 2nd and 6th wedding anniversary. Traditionally it is said that garnet has powers of healing and providing strength to a relationship. It is also believed to regulate the heart and blood flow and for curing depression. Some time ago, Garnets were exchanged as gifts between friends to show their love for each other and was symbolic of the idea that they will meet again.

Generally the color of the second anniversary is Lenin white, which represents calmness and awareness regarding the transition. Another way to make this day to memories is to pack a straw basket with lots of goodies, and take it along on a long drive or picnic in the countryside.

Every wedding anniversary is special and personal. Gift ideas for second wedding anniversary require the same spirit and love the way we found our first anniversary gift. It does not matter which anniversary we have reached, what matters is the affection and understanding level we have gained.

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Source by Fem Mascenon

Gift Baskets, Anyone’s Pleasure

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Discerning folks would just have to wonder�what is it about gift baskets that make them such a popular form of gift-giving today? What fun could there possibly be in receiving a gift without the requisite anticipation and suspense that comes from tearing open layers of wrapping paper before running smack into the actual present itself? For although gift baskets are nearly always prettily packaged, surely there is not much to be said for gift items that are so openly strutting their stuff for all and sundry to see!

Historically, baskets were woven using the most appropriate materials that could be sourced locally. Gatherers used baskets for collecting fruit and other food while the hunters made use of them to store their catch of the day. Perhaps this would explain the modern day use of baskets as gift bearers, particularly since gift baskets originally served the purpose of presenting organic gifts such as fruit, flowers and other types of perishables.

It has also been said that the Biblical story of finding of three-month old baby Moses in a basket made of bulrushes among the reeds along the riverbank was how it all started. It sparks the idea of baby gift baskets and soon after, other types of gift baskets started to appear.

It is pretty common to see gift baskets being given as presents on every single holidays or events, which is why we have an assortment of gift baskets for various occasions such as Easter, Fathers� Day, Mothers� Day, baby showers, housewarming, anniversaries and even condolence or sympathy baskets for those who have just suffered the loss of a loved one. This industry really covers all occasions there could possibly be, from womb to tomb!

And that does not even include the assortment of baskets available based on differences in content alone! For instance, wine connoisseurs would appreciate the gift of a basket full of the best fruits of the vine. Whereas lovers of fine food would surely think twice about turning up their noses at gourmet gift baskets brimming with pate de foie gras, caviar and orange blossom honey. Even if you are fond of a particular type of cuisine or food type, chances are, there is a gift basket for you. From Italian food products to junk food and cheesecakes, nothing is impossible these days. Seemingly everyday occasions can also call for different basket contents. Thus, you will find breakfast baskets, baskets for barbecues and even baskets holding a selection of designer tea and cookies.

Do note though that gift baskets need not necessarily contain edible products. Some are also made up of a combination of flowers and food while others could also contain books, toys, massage oils, toiletries, aromatherapy sets�in fact, everything and anything that fits into a basket!

Apart from individuals, corporations are also big on baskets. You certainly cannot fault their business sense because a customized basket packed by professionals could go a long way in impressing that all-important client. Thank you gift baskets usually come in handy for occasions where a token of appreciation is needed upon the successful completion of projects or when a deal is clinched. Top management have also been known to treat their staff to a basket or two of seasonal goodies, especially when holidays such as Christmas are around the corner.

Almost all service providers throw in free delivery with the gift baskets, which is a bonus. Having a pretty and lavish basket right on your doorstep is simply irresistible! What�s even better is that arrangements can be made to send the baskets to the workplace too. It would be a nice surprise for a wife to receive a basket full of flowers and her favorite brand of chocolates on her birthday, despite the daily craziness she has to face at the office.

But the wise husband would want to follow that up with a more personal gift of say, jewelry, when his wife gets home later on. For that is where the so-called basket magic ends. As pretty as they can get, such baskets still carry the connotation of an impersonal and very public display of generosity. At the end of the day, one may still want to consider the evergreen method of giving gifts, that of spending much time handpicking the perfect item and then wrapping it up in a box, to be opened at will and to the delight of the recipient.

Need of a gift for business acquaintances? Want your gift to stand out from the rest? Don�t know what is your landlady�s favorite spice? Get a gift basket! However, choosing a gift for a loved one cannot be treated in the same manner. Much more love and affection is needed to find that perfect gift for that very special someone of yours, a gift that had been chosen and wrapped with love that it wouldn�t have mattered if the cellophane clashes with the bow on top.

Having said that however, some folks just appreciate more drama in their lives. And perhaps that is why there is still such money to be made in the gift basket trade. Thus, the best gauge of what sort of method to employ would be to consider the recipient�s personality. Loud and gregarious? Shy and private? If this still does not help, then take to heart that abiding advice�maybe it really is the thought that counts after all.

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Source by Thomas Bronson

Baby Gift Baskets You Can Make At Home

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Making baby gift basket is an enjoyable and amazing activity to share with family and friends. It is such a useful and profitable kind of leasure time. Making baby gift baskets as your past time is never boring when doing it with family and friends. It is also a very helpful and an amazing source for extra income.

It is fun to make, design and decorate different baby gift baskets using your own unique artistic ideas. It is always pleasing and delightful to see your own unique creation after a delicate work. Making baby gift baskets are indeed fun to do and a work of art. After seeing your own uniquely designed baby gift basket, you will have a feeling of great achievement and it is such a great accomplishment of art.

In every thing we do, we make plans, so as with making baby gift baskets. We have to make plans as to the objective of the activity. We also have to set a goal to achieve the objective of the activity. When we set an objective and a goal for this activity, we also have to make steps to hit our goal and achieve our main objective. The first among the many steps to hit our goal in making baby gift basket is planning the designs that we want to have on our baby gift baskets.

In planning for the design, we have to consider first and foremost the cost of the materials to be used. We also have to consider the attractiveness and the over all presentation of the product. We have to make some wise and practical choices for the materials to be used in making these wonderful baby gift baskets. In choosing the materials to be used, it is always best to be economical and practical.

We can make use of some materials that are recyclable and useful. In using recyclable materials we can be both practical and economical at the same time. We can create a work of art from these recyclable materials without spending too much and that is economical choice of materials and at the same time practical.

The next thing to do after choosing the right materials for the baby gift basket that we will be making is to secure every single material to be used including the basket as the main material. The step next is to lay out the design that we have planned to decorate on our baby gift basket. Then we have to set our artistic and intricate hands to work on the designs and decorations on the basket to turn it into our own unique work of art of baby gift basket.

When the baby gift basket is done, we have to make sure to put some baby gift items in it for the main attraction of the gift to be given to all the special little darlings of our lives. We can put any baby gift item inside our beautiful baby basket. We also have to make sure that the baby gift items that we placed inside it are arranged attractively to make the whole package more delightfully attractive.

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Source by Edie Mindell

Chinese yixing teapot in China–Steeped in the art of tea

The cup runneth over for Ewen Bell as he explores the intricacies and ceremonies of the world’s favourite drink, from oolong and medicinal leaves to a pot of Iron Buddha
‘There’s a Chinese legend about getting drunk from drinking too much tea, but I’d need a bigger cup before that happens’
WHERE but Hong Kong can you experience the joys of Mountain Jade, Golden Snow Monkey and Amber Dragon Silver Tip?
They’re not tai-chi moves, they’re varieties of tea.
Chinese culture and the English language have clashed for more than a century to yield a city of six million tea-drinkers and colourful names for delicate flavours.
The words “yum cha” literally mean “with tea”, which is how everything in Hong Kong is served . . . including the hotel rooms.
Within minutes of checking in to my suite at the Kowloon Shangri-La Hotel, I was presented with a carefully cho-sen grade of loose-leaf tea and a tall ceramic teapot in a picnic basket. I sipped from a very small cup and enjoyed the view of ferries criss-crossing the harbour.
Then I headed over to Hong Kong Island and the Museum of Tea Wares, which features a fine display of ceramics and culture from the Tang, Song and Ming dynasties.
It’s also home to the Lock Cha Tea Shop, where visitors can enjoy free classes on the art of tea, often held by the engaging owner, Mr Ip. The subtle differences between blends of green, oolong and black tea become apparent after an hour-long session of tasting and talking.
Tea offers more than just flavour, it offers health. Imbibing the heady brew of medicinal tea offered by Good Spring Company, at the corner of Stanley and Cochrane streets on Hong Kong Island, has been a popular ritual for residents since 1939.
If you can’t read the signage in Chinese, just look for the giant copper urns and long queues of locals.
One urn is filled with a regular chrysanthemum tea of pure flowers steeped in hot water, and the other urn has a se-cret mix of medicinal herbs that can be taken daily to promote good health.
I saw several monks ordering their takeaway herbals.
Not even monks can live on tea alone, so the Cantonese invented the “dim sum” breakfast. The phrase translates into “little hearts” of delicate dumplings that hide savoury delights within.
My favourite indulgence is not steamed or fried, but steeped in a pot of hot water at Ming Court, the flagship res-taurant at Langham Place on the Kowloon side of the harbour.
Its tea menu is almost as long as the list of dim sum. Of particular note is the Iron Buddha, fabled among the Chi-nese for being hand-picked leaf by leaf on a steep mountainside in Fujian province.
Visiting Ming Court for lunch has the added benefit of putting you right in the heart of Mongkok mayhem as the district’s street markets kick into gear. In contrast to the elegant environs of Langham Place, the laneways and thor-oughfares of Mongkok transform daily into a frenzy of cheap goods and local shoppers.
About the only item you won’t find in Mongkok is tea. For that, I went across the harbour to Hong Kong Island and the district of Sheung Wan, a bargain-hunters’ paradise of jade, pottery and all things tea. The traditions of century-old teahouses have given way to modern tea-sellers — instead of dim sum and a pot of hot tea, they just sell the leaves and a range of wares for brewing your own cup.
I started my tea trail at the Cat St trinket markets, a neighbourhood studded with tiny shops selling tiny teapots and even tinier teacups — about the size of a shot glass.
There’s a Chinese legend about getting drunk from drinking too much tea, but I’d need a bigger cup before that happened.
The shelves of the tea shops are decorated with ornate fine china styled with motifs of dragons, goldfish and the wise figure of Luk Yu. This eighth-century poet documented his passion for the cultivation and culture of tea, his status among centuries of Chinese connoisseurs reaching the realms of deity. An afternoon of shopping in Sheung Wan left me ready to relax and take the weight off my feet.
A short walk from the Star Ferry Terminal at Victoria Harbour is the Peninsula Hotel, where the service at after-noon tea could hardly be better if Queen Elizabeth visited daily.
The best cup of tea at the Peninsula is not the Earl Grey with cucumber sandwiches, but the one you get upstairs while waiting for a massage treatment at the Peninsula Spa.
What cup of tea wouldn’t be remembered fondly when you’re immersed in a world of sandstone and silk, awaiting the skilled hands of Hong Kong’s best masseurs?

Source by vennasalee lee