Best Brewed Outdoors

One of our partners at the Snow Peak Way was Lou the founder of From Trees. She specialises in sourcing and blending teas that support forest communities, agroforestry systems and traditional culture. She used the Sayou Teapot to brew some of her delicious tea blends for us - and shares some of her extensive knowledge below.

Drinking tea outside is one of the simplest and greatest pleasures. Finding a beautiful place to sit beneath a tree, beside a river or maybe hiking up for a sunrise in the hills. Brewing tea provides a moment of calm. Time to appreciate being part of the natural environment. 

In Japan, tea is seen as an inseparable part of Japanese culture - the growing, enjoying and ceremony of tea - a deep culture which began centuries ago. Rituals are performed around tea where every item, every movement, every intention matters. Promoting harmony, respect and tranquility. This culture extends to more informal gatherings. And of course outdoor brewing in nature. 

Nodate is the Japanese word used for this; "No (野)" means field or outdoor and "Date (点)" means to make tea. Both conducted formally and causally, the outdoor tea ceremony follows the tradition of the seasons, to appreciate natural wonders and cycles, such as drinking tea beneath a cherry tree in full blossom. 

I love to brew tea outdoors. Tea provides a ritual and practice to enable a deeper sense of quiet and connection to nature. But also to gather with friends, to share tea together and appreciate life outside.

The Sayou teapot set is perfect for effortless outdoor brewing. And to use all through the year. As the nights get longer, it is such a pleasure to wrap up warm with puffer and hat, take a blanket and drink warm tea under a cold, starry night. Maybe a brew before sleep when you’re camping out in the wild, a tea in the garden at home, or we enjoy a hot brew after a cold morning surf.

However you like to drink outdoors, this tea pot allows the freedom to create your own rituals. To savour the leaves, honour the seasons and enjoy time together in nature.

HOW TO USE:

Fill a flask with hot water. Place approximately 6g of loose leaf tea in the lower cup, place the second one on top and put inside the tea pot. Wrap the tea pot in its furoshiki-style storage case. Put both inside a back pack and head outside.

HOW TO BREW:

Remove both cups from the tea pot. Place the loose leaf tea in the pot. Pour in the hot water. Brew for the recommended time. Pour and enjoy.

BREWING TIPS:

If you are brewing true teas, especially green tea, that requires a faster brew time, take a second empty flask. When you have brewed the tea, pour into the empty flask. You can then top up the cups without the tea over brewing or getting cold.

With From Trees pure plant teas, you have long brewing times so you can leave the tea in the pot without it over brewing.

Remember you can re-infuse your plant leaves to savour the full flavour. 

The Sayou teapot set is the perfect choice for enjoying tea outdoors. Its high transparency lets you appreciate the color change and watch the tea leaves move as you pour hot water. It comes with a furoshiki-style case to store the set compactly and a thick, 8mm bottom for excellent heat resistance and stability. The lid and strainer are integrated for simple operation and easy cleaning.

Thank you very much to Lou from From Trees for this blog.

Images from the Snow Peak Way 2024, credit Ryan Winterbotham