Hi all,

On this page http://www.nobleharbor.com/tea/kungfu/teaware.html they show a
gaibei that looks exactly like a gaiwan. On the Shan Shui page
http://www.shanshuiteas.com/ under gaibei they show a handled cup with a
lid, that looks similar to a western type cup. My question...is gaibei a
very general term describing any cup with a lid whereas gaiwan is
specifically the little cup we all know and love? Or what's the difference?
Thanks.

Melinda

On Sun, 5 Dec 2004 16:51:22 -0800, "Melinda" >
wrote:

>Hi all,
>
>On this page http://www.nobleharbor.com/tea/kungfu/teaware.html they show a
>gaibei that looks exactly like a gaiwan. On the Shan Shui page
>http://www.shanshuiteas.com/ under gaibei they show a handled cup with a
>lid, that looks similar to a western type cup. My question...is gaibei a
>very general term describing any cup with a lid whereas gaiwan is
>specifically the little cup we all know and love? Or what's the difference?


It's interesting.

gaiwan:

gai = the cover of the cup/bowl
wan = bowl

gaibei:

gai = the cover of the cup/bowl
wan = cup

I think the two terms basically describe the same thing. A cup/bowl
and a cover. There are coffee style mugs with a top that they refer
to as gaibei, but I have seldom heard the term used even when talking
about this. I have heard chabei (literally tea cup) more often than
gaibei, and chabei can be used to describe the small tasting cups as
well. Gaiwan is the more commonly used phrase and it is used solely
in the preparation or drinking of tea; it's not used in everyday life.
Some of the older people use the gaiwan for drinking tea, but even
this is becoming more rare as coffee drinking proliferates and because
the younger generation doesn't have as much interest in tea.

It could also be a regional variation in language. Maybe people in a
certain place just call it gaibei instead of gaiwan.

As an aside, I actually searched all over southern China for a
specific type of gaiwan that I saw used in some teashops and couldn't
find it. heh.

But other than this, my Chinese friends and I don't know. heh.



Mydnight

--------------------
thus then i turn me from my countries light, to dwell in the solemn shades of an endless night.

On Mon, 06 Dec 2004 03:53:10 GMT, Mydnight > wrote:

>On Sun, 5 Dec 2004 16:51:22 -0800, "Melinda" >
>wrote:
>
>>Hi all,
>>
>>On this page http://www.nobleharbor.com/tea/kungfu/teaware.html they show a
>>gaibei that looks exactly like a gaiwan. On the Shan Shui page
>>http://www.shanshuiteas.com/ under gaibei they show a handled cup with a
>>lid, that looks similar to a western type cup. My question...is gaibei a
>>very general term describing any cup with a lid whereas gaiwan is
>>specifically the little cup we all know and love? Or what's the difference?
>
>
>It's interesting.
>
>gaiwan:
>
>gai = the cover of the cup/bowl
>wan = bowl
>
>gaibei:
OOPS. heh

>
>gai = the cover of the cup/bowl
>bei = cup
>
>I think the two terms basically describe the same thing. A cup/bowl
>and a cover. There are coffee style mugs with a top that they refer
>to as gaibei, but I have seldom heard the term used even when talking
>about this. I have heard chabei (literally tea cup) more often than
>gaibei, and chabei can be used to describe the small tasting cups as
>well. Gaiwan is the more commonly used phrase and it is used solely
>in the preparation or drinking of tea; it's not used in everyday life.
>Some of the older people use the gaiwan for drinking tea, but even
>this is becoming more rare as coffee drinking proliferates and because
>the younger generation doesn't have as much interest in tea.
>
>It could also be a regional variation in language. Maybe people in a
>certain place just call it gaibei instead of gaiwan.
>
>As an aside, I actually searched all over southern China for a
>specific type of gaiwan that I saw used in some teashops and couldn't
>find it. heh.
>
>But other than this, my Chinese friends and I don't know. heh.
>
>
>
>Mydnight
>
>--------------------
>thus then i turn me from my countries light, to dwell in the solemn shades of an endless night.



Mydnight

--------------------
thus then i turn me from my countries light, to dwell in the solemn shades of an endless night.

I think that gaiwan is a special type of gaibei from Sichuan. Nowadays the
term gaibei is mostly applied to a lidded mug with or without strainer. Take
a look at this site: http://www.shanshuiteas.com/teaware.html
I think calling gaiwan "gaibei" is OK, but calling lidded cylindrical mug
"gaiwan" is not.
Here they call gaiwan gaibei:
http://www.nobleharbor.com/tea/kungfu/teaware.html
Here is an article from Roy Wong of ITC.
http://www.macnabspremiumteas.com/gaiwan.html

The last word should be said by our Chinese friends, though.

Sasha.




"Mydnight" > wrote in message
...
> On Sun, 5 Dec 2004 16:51:22 -0800, "Melinda" >
> wrote:
>
>>Hi all,
>>
>>On this page http://www.nobleharbor.com/tea/kungfu/teaware.html they show
>>a
>>gaibei that looks exactly like a gaiwan. On the Shan Shui page
>>http://www.shanshuiteas.com/ under gaibei they show a handled cup with a
>>lid, that looks similar to a western type cup. My question...is gaibei a
>>very general term describing any cup with a lid whereas gaiwan is
>>specifically the little cup we all know and love? Or what's the
>>difference?
>
>
> It's interesting.
>
> gaiwan:
>
> gai = the cover of the cup/bowl
> wan = bowl
>
> gaibei:
>
> gai = the cover of the cup/bowl
> wan = cup
>
> I think the two terms basically describe the same thing. A cup/bowl
> and a cover. There are coffee style mugs with a top that they refer
> to as gaibei, but I have seldom heard the term used even when talking
> about this. I have heard chabei (literally tea cup) more often than
> gaibei, and chabei can be used to describe the small tasting cups as
> well. Gaiwan is the more commonly used phrase and it is used solely
> in the preparation or drinking of tea; it's not used in everyday life.
> Some of the older people use the gaiwan for drinking tea, but even
> this is becoming more rare as coffee drinking proliferates and because
> the younger generation doesn't have as much interest in tea.
>
> It could also be a regional variation in language. Maybe people in a
> certain place just call it gaibei instead of gaiwan.
>
> As an aside, I actually searched all over southern China for a
> specific type of gaiwan that I saw used in some teashops and couldn't
> find it. heh.
>
> But other than this, my Chinese friends and I don't know. heh.
>
>
>
> Mydnight
>
> --------------------
> thus then i turn me from my countries light, to dwell in the solemn shades
> of an endless night.

I think that gaiwan is a special type of gaibei from Sichuan. Nowadays the
term gaibei is mostly applied to a lidded mug with or without strainer. Take
a look at this site: http://www.shanshuiteas.com/teaware.html
I think calling gaiwan "gaibei" is OK, but calling lidded cylindrical mug
"gaiwan" is not.
Here they call gaiwan gaibei:
http://www.nobleharbor.com/tea/kungfu/teaware.html
Here is an article from Roy Wong of ITC.
http://www.macnabspremiumteas.com/gaiwan.html

The last word should be said by our Chinese friends, though.

Sasha.




"Mydnight" > wrote in message
...
> On Sun, 5 Dec 2004 16:51:22 -0800, "Melinda" >
> wrote:
>
>>Hi all,
>>
>>On this page http://www.nobleharbor.com/tea/kungfu/teaware.html they show
>>a
>>gaibei that looks exactly like a gaiwan. On the Shan Shui page
>>http://www.shanshuiteas.com/ under gaibei they show a handled cup with a
>>lid, that looks similar to a western type cup. My question...is gaibei a
>>very general term describing any cup with a lid whereas gaiwan is
>>specifically the little cup we all know and love? Or what's the
>>difference?
>
>
> It's interesting.
>
> gaiwan:
>
> gai = the cover of the cup/bowl
> wan = bowl
>
> gaibei:
>
> gai = the cover of the cup/bowl
> wan = cup
>
> I think the two terms basically describe the same thing. A cup/bowl
> and a cover. There are coffee style mugs with a top that they refer
> to as gaibei, but I have seldom heard the term used even when talking
> about this. I have heard chabei (literally tea cup) more often than
> gaibei, and chabei can be used to describe the small tasting cups as
> well. Gaiwan is the more commonly used phrase and it is used solely
> in the preparation or drinking of tea; it's not used in everyday life.
> Some of the older people use the gaiwan for drinking tea, but even
> this is becoming more rare as coffee drinking proliferates and because
> the younger generation doesn't have as much interest in tea.
>
> It could also be a regional variation in language. Maybe people in a
> certain place just call it gaibei instead of gaiwan.
>
> As an aside, I actually searched all over southern China for a
> specific type of gaiwan that I saw used in some teashops and couldn't
> find it. heh.
>
> But other than this, my Chinese friends and I don't know. heh.
>
>
>
> Mydnight
>
> --------------------
> thus then i turn me from my countries light, to dwell in the solemn shades
> of an endless night.

On Mon, 06 Dec 2004 04:32:17 GMT, "Alex Chaihorsky"
> wrote:

>I think that gaiwan is a special type of gaibei from Sichuan. Nowadays the
>term gaibei is mostly applied to a lidded mug with or without strainer. Take
actually, that's where i heard it called gaibei; when i was in
sichuan. that's why i thought maybe it was some regional variation
because i also heard the same thing in sichuan called gaiwan or
chabei. the sichuan dialect is very strange and sometimes difficult
to understand or even translate into mandarian.

I really don't know, I'm just telling you what I heard. People seldom
say 'gaibei' anyway. heh. But I agree with you about you shouldn't
call the mug a gaiwan. Still, some people do.

>a look at this site: http://www.shanshuiteas.com/teaware.html
>I think calling gaiwan "gaibei" is OK, but calling lidded cylindrical mug
>"gaiwan" is not.
>Here they call gaiwan gaibei:
>http://www.nobleharbor.com/tea/kungfu/teaware.html
>Here is an article from Roy Wong of ITC.
>http://www.macnabspremiumteas.com/gaiwan.html
>
>The last word should be said by our Chinese friends, though.
>
>Sasha.



Mydnight

--------------------
thus then i turn me from my countries light, to dwell in the solemn shades of an endless night.

In my Chinatown all the boxes are labeled 'chawan' for what you call
'gaiwan'. It is bowl with no handle and the lid fits inside the rim
for brushing aside the tea leaves as you sip. You can buy cups with
handles where the lid sits on the rim with or without the infuser.

Jim

Mydnight wrote:
> On Mon, 06 Dec 2004 04:32:17 GMT, "Alex Chaihorsky"
> > wrote:
>
> >I think that gaiwan is a special type of gaibei from Sichuan.
Nowadays the
> >term gaibei is mostly applied to a lidded mug with or without
strainer. Take
> actually, that's where i heard it called gaibei; when i was in
> sichuan. that's why i thought maybe it was some regional variation
> because i also heard the same thing in sichuan called gaiwan or
> chabei. the sichuan dialect is very strange and sometimes difficult
> to understand or even translate into mandarian.
>
> I really don't know, I'm just telling you what I heard. People
seldom
> say 'gaibei' anyway. heh. But I agree with you about you shouldn't
> call the mug a gaiwan. Still, some people do.
>
> >a look at this site: http://www.shanshuiteas.com/teaware.html
> >I think calling gaiwan "gaibei" is OK, but calling lidded
cylindrical mug
> >"gaiwan" is not.
> >Here they call gaiwan gaibei:
> >http://www.nobleharbor.com/tea/kungfu/teaware.html
> >Here is an article from Roy Wong of ITC.
> >http://www.macnabspremiumteas.com/gaiwan.html
> >
> >The last word should be said by our Chinese friends, though.
> >
> >Sasha.
>
>
>
> Mydnight
>
> --------------------
> thus then i turn me from my countries light, to dwell in the solemn
shades of an endless night.

In my Chinatown all the boxes are labeled 'chawan' for what you call
'gaiwan'. It is bowl with no handle and the lid fits inside the rim
for brushing aside the tea leaves as you sip. You can buy cups with
handles where the lid sits on the rim with or without the infuser.

Jim

Mydnight wrote:
> On Mon, 06 Dec 2004 04:32:17 GMT, "Alex Chaihorsky"
> > wrote:
>
> >I think that gaiwan is a special type of gaibei from Sichuan.
Nowadays the
> >term gaibei is mostly applied to a lidded mug with or without
strainer. Take
> actually, that's where i heard it called gaibei; when i was in
> sichuan. that's why i thought maybe it was some regional variation
> because i also heard the same thing in sichuan called gaiwan or
> chabei. the sichuan dialect is very strange and sometimes difficult
> to understand or even translate into mandarian.
>
> I really don't know, I'm just telling you what I heard. People
seldom
> say 'gaibei' anyway. heh. But I agree with you about you shouldn't
> call the mug a gaiwan. Still, some people do.
>
> >a look at this site: http://www.shanshuiteas.com/teaware.html
> >I think calling gaiwan "gaibei" is OK, but calling lidded
cylindrical mug
> >"gaiwan" is not.
> >Here they call gaiwan gaibei:
> >http://www.nobleharbor.com/tea/kungfu/teaware.html
> >Here is an article from Roy Wong of ITC.
> >http://www.macnabspremiumteas.com/gaiwan.html
> >
> >The last word should be said by our Chinese friends, though.
> >
> >Sasha.
>
>
>
> Mydnight
>
> --------------------
> thus then i turn me from my countries light, to dwell in the solemn
shades of an endless night.

On 6 Dec 2004 06:07:20 -0800, "Space Cowboy" >
wrote:

>In my Chinatown all the boxes are labeled 'chawan' for what you call
>'gaiwan'. It is bowl with no handle and the lid fits inside the rim
>for brushing aside the tea leaves as you sip. You can buy cups with
>handles where the lid sits on the rim with or without the infuser.
>

That's cool, I've not heard chawan used when referring to gaiwan.
Where is your Chinatown? That would translate to 'tea bowl' where
gaiwan translates to 'lid and bowl', so i guess it's just a matter of
semantics. I know the Japanese word for it translates to something
more akin to tea bowl.

*shrugs*


Mydnight

--------------------
thus then i turn me from my countries light, to dwell in the solemn shades of an endless night.

I came out of the closet this year, Denver. Our Chinatown is a bunch
of shopettes and large grocery stores strung out for miles along two
intersecting major boulevard corridors serving a large Vietnamese
population. Anytime I go I come back with whole Peking duck for $12.
I saw a new duck style called Ping where a much larger duck is split
open and roasted with outstreched wings and legs. One of these days
I'll get the special order roasted pig for $200. I previously
mentioned the apothecary type glass tea jars sold by several export
companies. I ran across a new exporter for rolled whole leaf dong
ding, west lake dragonwell and a georgous spring bud(all) green tea.
I'm going back to the store and unstocking them on this one. Still no
luck finding any green beeng cha. I reported before I found some for
$3.99 but I should have tasted before comparing the wrapping to the
websites which more than one said it was green. It was cooked. I do
like the taste anyway. You drink enough Chinese tea you expect the odd
taste.

Jim

Mydnight wrote:
> On 6 Dec 2004 06:07:20 -0800, "Space Cowboy" >
> wrote:
>
> >In my Chinatown all the boxes are labeled 'chawan' for what you call
> >'gaiwan'. It is bowl with no handle and the lid fits inside the rim
> >for brushing aside the tea leaves as you sip. You can buy cups with
> >handles where the lid sits on the rim with or without the infuser.
> >
>
> That's cool, I've not heard chawan used when referring to gaiwan.
> Where is your Chinatown? That would translate to 'tea bowl' where
> gaiwan translates to 'lid and bowl', so i guess it's just a matter of
> semantics. I know the Japanese word for it translates to something
> more akin to tea bowl.
>
> *shrugs*
>
>
> Mydnight

Thing I've always wondered about gaiwans is.. since they're three pieces,
don't they tend to fall apart when you're manipulating them in your hand? I
could understand two pieces, but with a lid, a cup, and a saucer it seems
the parts would be constantly shifting around unless they fit VERY snugly
together.



"Melinda" > wrote in message
...
> Hi all,
>
> On this page http://www.nobleharbor.com/tea/kungfu/teaware.html they show
a
> gaibei that looks exactly like a gaiwan. On the Shan Shui page
> http://www.shanshuiteas.com/ under gaibei they show a handled cup with a
> lid, that looks similar to a western type cup. My question...is gaibei a
> very general term describing any cup with a lid whereas gaiwan is
> specifically the little cup we all know and love? Or what's the
difference?
> Thanks.
>
> Melinda
>
>

Thing I've always wondered about gaiwans is.. since they're three pieces,
don't they tend to fall apart when you're manipulating them in your hand? I
could understand two pieces, but with a lid, a cup, and a saucer it seems
the parts would be constantly shifting around unless they fit VERY snugly
together.



"Melinda" > wrote in message
...
> Hi all,
>
> On this page http://www.nobleharbor.com/tea/kungfu/teaware.html they show
a
> gaibei that looks exactly like a gaiwan. On the Shan Shui page
> http://www.shanshuiteas.com/ under gaibei they show a handled cup with a
> lid, that looks similar to a western type cup. My question...is gaibei a
> very general term describing any cup with a lid whereas gaiwan is
> specifically the little cup we all know and love? Or what's the
difference?
> Thanks.
>
> Melinda
>
>

On Wed, 08 Dec 2004 08:22:25 GMT, "Falky foo"
> wrote:

>Thing I've always wondered about gaiwans is.. since they're three pieces,
>don't they tend to fall apart when you're manipulating them in your hand? I
>could understand two pieces, but with a lid, a cup, and a saucer it seems
>the parts would be constantly shifting around unless they fit VERY snugly
>together.


Ya, they fit pretty snugly together. It mainly comes down to getting
used to holding it and using it; also, if you use it to drink or do
gongfu cha.


Mydnight

--------------------
thus then i turn me from my countries light, to dwell in the solemn shades of an endless night.

Good point about the indented saucer seat to hold the cup. In fact the
bottom of the cup with leading circular rim and contoured sides is
formed to mate with the saucer. I prefer the one hand technique where
the lid is used as a strainer versus the two hands where the lid
brushes back the leaves for sipping.

Jim

Rebecca Ore wrote:
> Try a small one (Chinese stores in Philadelphia seem to have seasons
on
> them and they're about $5 there rather than the $35 I've seen
advertised
> through the on-line vendors) with a deep indentation in the saucer
and
> the lid that fits inside the cup. It works quite well one handed
even.