I'm glad to present this simple set that will let you boil water the old fashioned way, with charcoals. Water tastes rounder, sweeter and more alive when boiled over the gentle fire of burning charcoals. And thanks to the porous and thin zisha clay of this kettle, the water remains fresh even after a prolonged period of the fire, as I could test today. Best is to use a wood that doesn't produce much smoke and smells nice. In Taiwan, serious tea drinkers often choose longyan wood for this purpose. (At least I do.)
The zisha kettle is 17.5 cm high with its handle.
It weighs 450 gr for a volume of 75 cl (80 cl at maximum).
The Nilu is 22 cm high and is very heavy to provide for a stable base.
The whole set (Nilu and kettle) weighs 3.7 kg in its primary packaging.
Maintenance advice:
- Empty and let the kettle dry after usage.
- Don't keep the empty kettle over fire.
- Don't add cold water to a hot and empty kettle. It's best to add the water when there's still water inside or after the kettle could cool down a little.
- Likewise for the Nilu, don't put it in cold water when it's still hot.
That's beautiful. Where is it available, I couldn't find a link on the post?
ReplyDeleteEliezer,
ReplyDeleteIt's available in my selection. Just send me an e-mail to: stephane_erler@yahoo.com to request my list.
I'm SO envious because as an apartment dweller, this isn't an option for me. :(
ReplyDeleteKaren,
ReplyDeleteI also live in an apartment, but this doesn't prevent me from using my Nilu with charcoal from time to time, especially now in the cold season. I will only do so for special tea and when I have more than an hour for tea. But the feeling of calm that comes from using charcoal is so relaxing. It makes one feel out of time. I know no better way to escape the busy city life (while still staying in an apartment!) And after such a wonderful time, I always think that I should use my Nilu more often and that never using it isn't an option for me. ;)
I agree with Stéphane. Since I had the chance to be at his home and taste his teas with the Nilu, nothing takes you apart from the town like it, the small sounds the charcoal makes while heating the water are wonderful, and put you in a very different state of mind.
ReplyDeleteFascinating! A Zisha kettle. It's on my list to buy a sterling silver kettle for the stovetop to boil my water for tea. Those are less common than silver teapots but are still available.
ReplyDeleteEn France, et pour être précis en Alsace, tu mettrais quoi comme bois là-dedans? Je suis loin de m'y connaitre, j'imagine juste que le sapin sentira un peu fort ;)
ReplyDeleteJason,
ReplyDeleteBe careful with the silver kettle over your stovetop. Use the weakest possible heat. Silver is quite fragile.
En France, je ne sais pas quel est le meilleur bois pour le charbon pour faire du thé. L'important est qu'il y ait peu de fumée et qu'elle sente bon. Je conseille de faire des expériences. A moins qu'un lecteur en ait déjà faites et veuille bien nous donner ses recommandations...
Hi Stephane,
ReplyDeleteDo you know of any international suppliers of longyan wood charcoal? I've been using olive pit, but I would like to try longyan.
Cole