For people who have lived in cities like Paris or New York, chances are many would be delighted to have lifestyle boutiques like The Conran Shop or “home” section in department stores where a space is dedicated to display beautiful lifestyle accessories such as exquisite teapots and vessels that one can use to enhance daily life.
In Macau, there are stores such as Zara Home or New Yaohan where beautiful glassware and kitchen supplies are available, but for the discerning few who are looking for handmade art pieces that truly enchant the soul, Toyosu on Avenida de Horta e Costa is the place to be.
Toyosu is a boutique that mainly sells tea, clay vessels and crystals that were carefully selected by curator Randa, who spends half of her time in Japan before the pandemic. From Yunnan rose tea to exquisite Pu’er produced with secret methods discovered in ancient China, there is something for everyone, but it is the collection of clay vessels at the back of the store that is beyond impressive.
Made in the Kyushu region of Japan, clay vessels containing minerals exuding earthy sensations can elevate the taste of tea that is served in it. “If you look at the clay vessels under a microscope you will see holes that allow tea or whatever that is contained inside the container to breathe, so that moisture or other elements are not easily trapped. The ecosystem inside the vessel is different than in other containers,” says Randa.
Randa personally is a crystal collector and is well-versed in the world of minerals and energies. Shoppers will find rare elestial quartz, museum quality amethyst and other one-of-a-kind items that are hard to come by anywhere else in Macau. Irene Sam, MDT
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