Loving these movies. It never occurred to me that the very act of gathering water could be so important. Luckily I do have a nice spring within a gentle walk.
Today I had a day to myself and decide to go for a hike to bring some spring water. I am already drinking my second tea with it and it tastes pure, clean and all flavors are enhanced. And for sure I will sleep well after the hike. This is not something I can do regularly but I am enjoying it as a treat today. Normally, I use Japanese active coal for the filtration of the tap water. It improves it, seems softer and tea tastes nicer. It however still has a lot of lime.
First and foremost thank your for your constant passion and knowledge you share with us. I did a lot of water testing and research in the past because I wanted to find the best possible water within my possibilities which means what I can get within my region. I live in Vienna and our tab water is also called spring water because its quality is very high but I find it totally not suitable for preparing tea with it one major issue is chalk (it's not much but still) - So I tried many different types of bottled water and also filtered water. The worst of the worst was filtered water like Brita because the water was somehow sour and also really influenced each and every tea in a very bad way. For example within a normal session which means good water source I can filter out 4-6 major nuances and further 6-7 subtle notes which is in total a palate range of 12 nuances. Filtered water reduced everything to just 3-4 major dominant aspects that's it and it totally wipes out every subtle notes which are in fact the special and unique aspects of each and every tea. Finding good bottled water also depends where you live because some brands aren't available within your city even in boutique shops - But in Europe I guess we are quite lucky to have some great countries with great water sources. The best results I received with Lauretana from Italy it is also called the lightest water in Europe. It is soft, does not contain too much minerals and is somehow naturally sweet (as sweet as water naturally can get). Beside this type of bottled water another but too expensive great source is Icelandic Glacial which is of course from Iceland. Another good water is Fiji Rainwater and last but not least an OK Water source is also Volvic if you can't get any of those other ones. But in my case I only buy Lauretana. That's my major water ;)
In the US, "mountain valley" spring water, from hot springs, Arkansas is legit, with a nice ph and level of dissolved solids. It also comes in five gallon glass bottles. It's my favorite commercially available water here.
A prayer for Water: .. May we care for the Water of the Earth .. may the Water be Fresh .. Vital and Pure .. Love to you dear Water .. Thank you .. 💦 💙 Xx
Sadly in Ontario, all our lakes and rivers are mostly polluted, and the pipelines going through indigenous land, and destroying there natural water sources isn't helping.
Yes, the pollution of the earth's waterways is perhaps our worst tragedy and legacy to future generations.... How to heal this? Perhaps the healing can start in the heart...
@@globalteahut agreed, that and supporting water protectors/ indigenous people since they are doing so much to help the environment. We can save our planet, but we'll have to fight for it.
I went for water and ice hunts several times a week while living in Greenland. Melted sea icebergs, glacier water, or spring melt (about six months long). Glacier water was consistently 9.38 pH.
@@globalteahut divine. I've been "Chacing the dragon" trying to recreate the crisp sweetness ever since. As I understand, sea ice is perfectly fresh water formed seasonally (or usually at least in the past decade), while GL glacial ice can be well over 100 000 years old. Both ice water tasted similar. Glacial melt water is very mineral rich and can be silty. But the spring and stream water is wonderful. I have fond memories of collecting huge chunk of compressed ice (10-50 kg each) in the winter darkness (often under northern lights), melting and slowly spinning on pots for hours, shimmering like diamonds, iridescent yellows and blues.
Have you ever tried adding minerals to some distilled water? Its a neat trick to get some very nice water and even better you can directly tune it for each tea like you mentioned in the video.
Have you ever seen brazilian clay filter? It works perfectly, it has a quality of imitating the process of natural earth filtering water. It removes all kind of modern shit we find in water these days, it feels fresh and smooth in taste. In Brazil we use it a lot, its by far the best alternative in here.
@@globalteahut For those who live in cities its a good way to purify water. Thanks for all the teachings! Ive always knew that tea was a daoist art, but its hard to find information that preserves this aspect of it. Thanks for all, i hope to learn more and more. Although the dollar is a little bit unafordable at the moment for us here in Brazil. I hope that in the future ill be able to sign the magazine and learn more with you guys. Im also trying to incorporate some aspects of my own land, some indigenous clays and also some indigenous knowledge about water. I feel that its a way to honor my brazillian indigenous ancestrality with the dao of the tea. With respect, knowing the roots, following the teachings. i think its a good way to harmonize the practice and the contact with the nature with the spirits, and the soul of this land i live in! Thanks for all!
@@ocaminhante beautiful indeed! In the meantime you can read past issues for free in our archive via digital .pdf and our online courses at teahutcourses.com are all very affordable and open to donation-based scholarships if you need that. Juts scroll down and follow the instructions in any course to receive such help. Many blessings and all the best in your tea journey!
@@globalteahut As an indigenous brazilian filosofer once said : " we should learn to step softly over earth" Ill do the same in here. There are a HUGE universe for learning, watching and etc. With the free issues in the digital archive and also with the information of the videos of your chanel i already have a lot to interiorize. Today I went by foot to the source of water nearby and collected my good quality water. So ill learn how to taste it, how to taste water, making experiments with cristals ( since im a lithoterapeut) with brazilian clay, with some riverstones, ways of storage and etc... After entering in contact with your videos, ive sensed like i found a piece of my dao. in a subtle way, I feel it has affected me deeply in many things. As a subjective thing is hard to describe, but its like i found a missing part of my authentic nature and now many other thing that were without direction are now finding its way of being. So without rush, ill enjoy the Way, enjoy every step, the learning process, the mistakes and etc. ill root in heart the teachings of the free content and eventualy i might be able to afford the rest and get chinese clays and etc. Thanks for the kindness! Last days ive being reflecting over the video themes over an Yi Jing perspective, ill comment in the videos those reflections, it might be helpfull to someone. Thanks for all. Peace and longevity
2 questions 1. If I can get spring water near me, is it a wise idea to filter it or should I sample it and check i'm ok the next day? 2. In the same way that you can use river quartz could I soak some of my spring water in with Lapiz so the water has the healing qualities associated with it? Thank you for your time Lee
Our tap water is regrettably really hard, but I'm afraid that just reflects the makeup of our groundwater. Would you recommend using store-bought water with lower calcium-content or gathering my own from a spring even though it still has quite a bit of calcium in it? I really like the idea of getting it myself, but I don't want to ruin my tea and teaware
We generally have a good go to water source, but for SOME types of tea, the TDS seems a little high and some of the aroma/flavor flattens out. We have been considering blending waters from different sources to reduce the concentration of certain Minerals to offset this effect. Do you have any advice, pro or con, on blending waters from different sources?
Hi! Before blending water, you may want to try white and/or bamboo charcoal and medicine stones. A gravity filter can also remove waters that are too high in certain minerals, as well. You may also want to try to figure out which minerals are too high if you can.
do you know where one can get the medicine stones you mention or is there another name? love the videos and the magazine is inspirational and informative.
Give it a try. Put out some cups and let a pitcher of water stand for a few minutes, then quickly dump from the top into one cup, pour some out into a jianshui, then middle section into next cup, then pour some out again into jianshui and then bottom water from the pitcher into the last cup. Then, drink the 3 cups side by side and see if you notice any difference. If you don't, then this issue isn't so relevant to you. When we aren't able to experience something, we just leave it aside and try again another time, a year later maybe...
Where can I buy a water urn like you described? I know global tea hut sells teaware, but I did not see a water urn. My local tea store does not sell anything like that either.
How do you see using filtered tap water? My local tap water is of medium hardness as far as I know, and I use a Brita filter. I do own some charcoal bamboo pieces too, how might I incorporate them into my water use?
You could put the water into a pitcher or urn and try adding the charcoal before brewing. Of course, we all have to make considerations of convenience in this age, deciding between spring water, bottled water, filtered water, etc. Our advice is to experiment: get some spring water if you can, buy some bottles and do some side by side tests. Also try drinking a tea you are very familiar with using different water sources. This should be fun. Let us know how it goes!
Drinking tap water or so called spring water from store bought bottles is never better than distilled water if you live in cities. You're better off using the distilled because it is void of any poisons. Your food is where you get minerals. Try using distilled and it tastes better than city water any day.
You are brilliant my brother. I appreciate your teachings a great deal. Very very rich teachings. Thank you.
There are four springs near me I can drive and fill up at :) all great, but the subtle differences are there.
I live in Cleveland Ohio,where te water literally caught fire.
Yeas we must respect water,the hydrogen,and the oxygen,sacred liquid.
Loving these movies. It never occurred to me that the very act of gathering water could be so important. Luckily I do have a nice spring within a gentle walk.
Today I had a day to myself and decide to go for a hike to bring some spring water. I am already drinking my second tea with it and it tastes pure, clean and all flavors are enhanced. And for sure I will sleep well after the hike. This is not something I can do regularly but I am enjoying it as a treat today. Normally, I use Japanese active coal for the filtration of the tap water. It improves it, seems softer and tea tastes nicer. It however still has a lot of lime.
First and foremost thank your for your constant passion and knowledge you share with us. I did a lot of water testing and research in the past because I wanted to find the best possible water within my possibilities which means what I can get within my region. I live in Vienna and our tab water is also called spring water because its quality is very high but I find it totally not suitable for preparing tea with it one major issue is chalk (it's not much but still) - So I tried many different types of bottled water and also filtered water. The worst of the worst was filtered water like Brita because the water was somehow sour and also really influenced each and every tea in a very bad way.
For example within a normal session which means good water source I can filter out 4-6 major nuances and further 6-7 subtle notes which is in total a palate range of 12 nuances. Filtered water reduced everything to just 3-4 major dominant aspects that's it and it totally wipes out every subtle notes which are in fact the special and unique aspects of each and every tea.
Finding good bottled water also depends where you live because some brands aren't available within your city even in boutique shops - But in Europe I guess we are quite lucky to have some great countries with great water sources. The best results I received with Lauretana from Italy it is also called the lightest water in Europe. It is soft, does not contain too much minerals and is somehow naturally sweet (as sweet as water naturally can get). Beside this type of bottled water another but too expensive great source is Icelandic Glacial which is of course from Iceland. Another good water is Fiji Rainwater and last but not least an OK Water source is also Volvic if you can't get any of those other ones. But in my case I only buy Lauretana. That's my major water ;)
This new series is great! Thank you
Really opened my mind to the important of water for tea. My homework : find a natural source!
Awwwwwwh .. the poor plants are given the sub optimal water .. ;) Xx
In the US, "mountain valley" spring water, from hot springs, Arkansas is legit, with a nice ph and level of dissolved solids. It also comes in five gallon glass bottles.
It's my favorite commercially available water here.
I would really love to visit you and have a cup of tea. Ever since going to Taiwan I hoped I’d come back one day.
A prayer for Water: .. May we care for the Water of the Earth .. may the Water be Fresh .. Vital and Pure .. Love to you dear Water .. Thank you .. 💦 💙 Xx
Sadly in Ontario, all our lakes and rivers are mostly polluted, and the pipelines going through indigenous land, and destroying there natural water sources isn't helping.
Yes, the pollution of the earth's waterways is perhaps our worst tragedy and legacy to future generations.... How to heal this? Perhaps the healing can start in the heart...
@@globalteahut agreed, that and supporting water protectors/ indigenous people since they are doing so much to help the environment. We can save our planet, but we'll have to fight for it.
I went for water and ice hunts several times a week while living in Greenland. Melted sea icebergs, glacier water, or spring melt (about six months long). Glacier water was consistently 9.38 pH.
Wow! was it nice?
@@globalteahut divine. I've been "Chacing the dragon" trying to recreate the crisp sweetness ever since. As I understand, sea ice is perfectly fresh water formed seasonally (or usually at least in the past decade), while GL glacial ice can be well over 100 000 years old. Both ice water tasted similar. Glacial melt water is very mineral rich and can be silty. But the spring and stream water is wonderful.
I have fond memories of collecting huge chunk of compressed ice (10-50 kg each) in the winter darkness (often under northern lights), melting and slowly spinning on pots for hours, shimmering like diamonds, iridescent yellows and blues.
@@vegahimsa3057 Unbelievable! Sounds amazing.
Have you ever tried adding minerals to some distilled water? Its a neat trick to get some very nice water and even better you can directly tune it for each tea like you mentioned in the video.
never tried that. It is interesting...
I have heard of the idea before. I think I read something about mineral tablets that can be put in distilled water for tea brewing.
Have you ever seen brazilian clay filter? It works perfectly, it has a quality of imitating the process of natural earth filtering water. It removes all kind of modern shit we find in water these days, it feels fresh and smooth in taste. In Brazil we use it a lot, its by far the best alternative in here.
We will check it out. thanks for the tip!
@@globalteahut For those who live in cities its a good way to purify water.
Thanks for all the teachings! Ive always knew that tea was a daoist art, but its hard to find information that preserves this aspect of it. Thanks for all, i hope to learn more and more.
Although the dollar is a little bit unafordable at the moment for us here in Brazil. I hope that in the future ill be able to sign the magazine and learn more with you guys.
Im also trying to incorporate some aspects of my own land, some indigenous clays and also some indigenous knowledge about water. I feel that its a way to honor my brazillian indigenous ancestrality with the dao of the tea.
With respect, knowing the roots, following the teachings. i think its a good way to harmonize the practice and the contact with the nature with the spirits, and the soul of this land i live in!
Thanks for all!
@@ocaminhante beautiful indeed! In the meantime you can read past issues for free in our archive via digital .pdf and our online courses at teahutcourses.com are all very affordable and open to donation-based scholarships if you need that. Juts scroll down and follow the instructions in any course to receive such help. Many blessings and all the best in your tea journey!
@@globalteahut As an indigenous brazilian filosofer once said : " we should learn to step softly over earth"
Ill do the same in here. There are a HUGE universe for learning, watching and etc. With the free issues in the digital archive and also with the information of the videos of your chanel i already have a lot to interiorize.
Today I went by foot to the source of water nearby and collected my good quality water. So ill learn how to taste it, how to taste water, making experiments with cristals ( since im a lithoterapeut) with brazilian clay, with some riverstones, ways of storage and etc...
After entering in contact with your videos, ive sensed like i found a piece of my dao. in a subtle way, I feel it has affected me deeply in many things. As a subjective thing is hard to describe, but its like i found a missing part of my authentic nature and now many other thing that were without direction are now finding its way of being.
So without rush, ill enjoy the Way, enjoy every step, the learning process, the mistakes and etc. ill root in heart the teachings of the free content and eventualy i might be able to afford the rest and get chinese clays and etc.
Thanks for the kindness! Last days ive being reflecting over the video themes over an Yi Jing perspective, ill comment in the videos those reflections, it might be helpfull to someone. Thanks for all.
Peace and longevity
2 questions
1. If I can get spring water near me, is it a wise idea to filter it or should I sample it and check i'm ok the next day?
2. In the same way that you can use river quartz could I soak some of my spring water in with Lapiz so the water has the healing qualities associated with it?
Thank you for your time
Lee
1) You can get water tested for potability pretty easily. If you aren't sure, better safe than sorry. 2) yes, experiment with many stones. We do!
@@globalteahut Thank you for the speedy response! Gratitude Tea Friends
Our tap water is regrettably really hard, but I'm afraid that just reflects the makeup of our groundwater. Would you recommend using store-bought water with lower calcium-content or gathering my own from a spring even though it still has quite a bit of calcium in it? I really like the idea of getting it myself, but I don't want to ruin my tea and teaware
There may be a way to filter the hardness out, which would be the best of both worlds!
What do you think of reverse osmosis when it comes to water and tea?
This can be quite nice. Not as good as spring water, but a good choice in the city.
We generally have a good go to water source, but for SOME types of tea, the TDS seems a little high and some of the aroma/flavor flattens out. We have been considering blending waters from different sources to reduce the concentration of certain Minerals to offset this effect. Do you have any advice, pro or con, on blending waters from different sources?
Hi! Before blending water, you may want to try white and/or bamboo charcoal and medicine stones. A gravity filter can also remove waters that are too high in certain minerals, as well. You may also want to try to figure out which minerals are too high if you can.
do you know where one can get the medicine stones you mention or is there another name? love the videos and the magazine is inspirational and informative.
Not sure. If you are a GTH member, email us and ask Shen if he would put a few in your next envelope!
top water, bottom water... uuh thats some strong stuff.
Give it a try. Put out some cups and let a pitcher of water stand for a few minutes, then quickly dump from the top into one cup, pour some out into a jianshui, then middle section into next cup, then pour some out again into jianshui and then bottom water from the pitcher into the last cup. Then, drink the 3 cups side by side and see if you notice any difference. If you don't, then this issue isn't so relevant to you. When we aren't able to experience something, we just leave it aside and try again another time, a year later maybe...
Where can I buy a water urn like you described? I know global tea hut sells teaware, but I did not see a water urn. My local tea store does not sell anything like that either.
you will have to commission a potter to make one. Not too big, as you want to be able to carry it to wash...
How do you see using filtered tap water? My local tap water is of medium hardness as far as I know, and I use a Brita filter. I do own some charcoal bamboo pieces too, how might I incorporate them into my water use?
You could put the water into a pitcher or urn and try adding the charcoal before brewing. Of course, we all have to make considerations of convenience in this age, deciding between spring water, bottled water, filtered water, etc. Our advice is to experiment: get some spring water if you can, buy some bottles and do some side by side tests. Also try drinking a tea you are very familiar with using different water sources. This should be fun. Let us know how it goes!
Drinking tap water or so called spring water from store bought bottles is never better than distilled water if you live in cities. You're better off using the distilled because it is void of any poisons. Your food is where you get minerals. Try using distilled and it tastes better than city water any day.
What type of clay is mentioned for water urns at 14:30?
"Zisha" or "purple-sand clay" from Yixing.
I use distilled water to make tea
Distilled water is not the best option for tea as it lacks minerals and key microelements.
Although... In Japan, the water they use is nearly flat...or so I hear.
Never use dead water. It kills the tea. That's just my opinion.