If you are lucky enough to explore the world, why not
explore the world of tea. There are so
many different types of teas you can try.
I don’t mean just black, green, puerh, oolongs or white teas (or even yellow,
blue or red teas). Try a first or second
flush Darjeeling from India, a high grown tea from Ceylon, silver tips from
China or an oolong from Taiwan.
Try to avoid flavoured teas as they don’t allow you to taste
the real essence of tea you are trying.
Each tea has it’s own natural flavour profile. Next time you go for something new, close
your eyes and inhale the smell of the dry leaf, and then the wet. Drink in the aroma of the steaming cup of
choice before you taste it. What can you
smell? Do you notice any stone fruits or
a nutty roasted flavour? Is it sweet or
savoury? Now taste it. Does it taste the same as it smells?
If you are feeling adventurous try a tea type you have never
tried? On a recent trip to Europe I
discovered a white Darjeeling – the flavour was so delicate with hints of peach
and the leaves were downy and soft. It
was so refreshing and light but full-bodied at the same time if that could be
possible. It was wonderful to try
something new. Discover your own new
favourites. Or if you’d prefer to stick
to something similar to what you are used too, perhaps just go for another type
of black tea. How about a Keemun, Assam, Nilgiri or Yunnan?
Having discovered several new teas on my travels, it was
even more delightful to come home to my usual daily cup.
Hint: Next time when you are out and about I encourage you
to try something different. Ask for a
loose leaf cuppa, and go for something you wouldn’t normally have. It makes your favourite cuppa at home all the
more special.
Words
and image contributed by Tea Master, Suzi van Middelkoop from Tea by the Sea.
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