dry leaf
Inspecting the raw slab: broad, flowing grain lines like ink wash on rice paper. A faint vanilla‑hay scent from kiln drying lingers on the un‑oiled surface.
wet leaf
After the first tung oil coat, the figure deepens into ribbons of amber and cocoa. The surface feels cool and smooth, yet the live edge keeps a tactile whisper of bark.
liquor
Under low tea‑room light, the tabletop takes on a honeyed translucence, revealing hidden quilting and birdseye knots that shift with your viewpoint.
aroma
A clean, woody aroma with hints of beeswax and dried meadow — never overpowering, even when warmed by a freshly poured gaiwan.
taste
Touch‑taste: the subtly undulating live edge invites trailing fingers. The table gives a satisfying weight, yet feels rooted and steady; the brass drainage gutters add a cool, precise counterpoint.
finish
With use, the oil‑cured surface develops a buttery patina, deepening in character — an heirloom in the making, each tea session a layer in its story.