"The best of tea in Asia consists of the entire leaf, finished (perhaps scented) to perfection, and vacuum packed immediately to preserve the freshness and flavor which begin instantly to degrade when exposed to oxygen. In this ‘QualiTea’ culture, the pure, unadulterated flavor of the extract, or the finely ground full leaf, is what's at issue. Then brewed and consumed in the context of an artful, aesthetic ceremony. The aesthetic adds to the experience. At S******** on the other hand, it's shavings, fragments and dust from the factory floor, packaged in a bag, tossed into the hottest water, capped and served in a waxed paper cup. The Leftovers, served for convenience. Well, it's hot -- and wet."
Mom started me out with L*****. It was bitter hot swill; sugared and lemoned to some degree of bare palatability. Who would drink this stuff?
The later experience with English "Tea" was a small adventure with cozies, pots and British pomp and ceremony. All right, but the food and presentation was the best part, which somewhat eclipsed the "bitter milk soup" with biscuit crumbs. It was a small, though elegant meal with a drinking beverage...
I really didn't grok TEA, until I experienced the Tea Ceremony with a Japanese Master. Kneeling to enter the Tea House, sitting humbly on the floor, admiring a small pottery and flower arrangement, and taking in the atmosphere of tranquility and warmth in the rough-beamed but perfect environment. The simple elegance of the Cha No Yu left me absorbed, satisfied, pleased and challenged with its contrasting simplicity and sophistication. It tasted wonderful, it felt wonderful and was presented in excellent, restrained taste.
Then Taiwan. Two hours to the mountain top plantation. Walking among the manicured bushes. Breathing the immaculate air while absorbing the incomparable chi. Watching the harvesting, treating, finishing, packaging and ultimately the serving to my boisterous group of TaiJi Tea pilgrims. Gongfu Style, is high conviviality, a happy giggling group, multiple varieties of tea, many pots, many tastes, much joy and a view of forever. And the true sense that tea is best taken with joyful friends.
It's not merely the leaf, but the quality, the packaging, the ceremony and the love!
Dessert: Here’s a story of what’s in those Teabags…
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