Exhibit highlights the incredible journey of tea
12 a.m. Monday, October 1, 2007
Topeka — "Tea is huge! There is about six billion tons of tea made during one year," says Zan Popp, curator of the latest exhibit at Topeka's Sabatini Gallery, "The Journey of Tea, Teapots, Tea Bowls, Tea Vessels."
There are probably as many different types of teapots as there are teas. But all tea comes from one plant, the Camellia Sinensis.
"The leaves of this one plant are then processed into three different categories. Black tea, Oolong and Green tea. Each different grade of tea is based on how long its been processed or oxidized and then that's how you get your different types of tea," says Zan.
And herbal tea, really isn't tea at all.
"It's more of an herbal infusion. You really shouldn't use the word tea even though we do, because it's not made from the tea plant. It's something made from other roots, other plants, fruits. Tea can only be called a tea if it uses leaf from the tea plant." says Zan.
The Chinese have consumed tea for centuries - the first vessel used to both make and drink tea was a bowl. Over time the vessel to make tea became a pot with artisans putting their own stamp on the familiar shape.
Tea eventually made its journey west along with daring, unusual designs of the tea pot. In the exhibit there's a teapot in the shape of a head, and one that resembles a wrecked boat and another topped with a nuclear cloud blast and skull.
Zan says many prized teapots come from the Yixing province of China.
"The clay absorbs the flavor of the tea. And so the tea is really brought to its true form out of a pot like that," said Zan.
From an elaborate Japanese tea ceremony to high tea in England to poetic tea pots - tea has been celebrated almost sacredly.
"Sacred to the extent of it's a time to be one with yourself. To take time out of a busy day and just allow yourself to relax with that wonderful beverage," says Zan.
Schedule of Events
The "Journey of Tea" exhibit continues at the Sabatini Gallery through November 2.
First Friday reception
Friday October 5, 5:30-8:30 pm
Alice C. Sabatini Gallery
Help celebrate First Fridays in Topeka. Light refreshments will be provided and all are welcome.
The Teapot and the Ceramist
Monday October 8, 7-8 pm
Alice C. Sabatini Gallery
Join artist and Washburn Professor Glenda Taylor as she explores the teapot form from the ceramic artist’s perspective
Tea is hot!
Tuesday October 23, 7-8 pm
Alice C. Sabatini Gallery
A massage for your brain. A spa for your soul. And it’s good for your health, too. Yeah, tea does all this and more for you. Join Foundation staff member, Kathy Groesbeck, a tea devotee, to learn about the joy that awaits those who take afternoon tea.
For more information, call The Topeka and Shawnee County Public Library at (785) 580-4515 or visit www.tscpl.org.
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