The Cherry Blossom tree is embedded into Japanese life and culture. It has cultural heritage in symbolism, natural beauty and even culinary uses. The Joyce Chen Cherry Blossom tetsubin embodies all of those qualities. Like all Joyce Chen handcasted tetsubins, this one is fully enameled in the interior and fitted with a fine stainless steel mesh infuser. The cast iron keeps brewed tea extremely hot yet the interior porcelain enamel keeps the metal from interacting with the tea or imparting a metallic taste. Joyce Chen's slogan Eastern Cookware for the Western Kitchen, reflects her focus on providing high-quality, versatile tools and products that have Asian flair, but can be used in a western kitchen. Joyce Chen opened her first restaurant in Cambridge, Massachusetts in 1958. The restaurant flourished, and in 1973 a larger Cambridge restaurant was opened. Chen also began writing Chinese cookbooks and in the 1970s began hosting a cooking show on public television. She found that the selection and quality of Chinese cookware in America didn't live up to her high standards so she developed her own. Today, Joyce Chen Products come from all over the Pacific Rim to bring the best of Asia to you.