[-]

Sixteenth in a series on the teas of China.

Few periods in history have equaled the Ming in their obsession with flowers: most floral porcelain patterns trace their descent to this time, for instance, and flower paintings, embroidery, and even epics written on a single blossom illustrate the fascination.  It is not surprising that the Ming Cult of the Flower produced the first flower-scented teas.  Previous emperors had known teas scented with prohibitively costly essential oils, but flowers were abundant and inexpensive to use in making a scented tea the Chinese middle classes could afford.  The Ming dynasty tea manual Cha Pu distinguishes between Lotus Flower Tea and all other types made from “sweet blossoms, “ including osmanthus, orchid, gardenia, orange and rose as well as jasmine.

It became too much of a good thing, no doubt, and this led the upper classes to disdain scented tea as “servants’ tea” by the late Ming and early Qing (Manchu) period.  A discouraging word has seldom been heard since about jasmine tea, the favorite tea still throughout northern China and easily the most popular scented tea in the world since it was first exported to the West on clipper ships in the nineteenth century.

Jasmine-scented green tea comes from seven provinces, at least, in China but the best is produced in Fujian around Fuzhou across the straits from Taiwan (where notable jasmine is also made sometimes).  The best is made from “before-the-rains” green tea plucked from early April to late May which is then steamed—only steamed leaf absorbs scent well—and stored until August when the blazing summer brings the jasmine into flower.  The blossoms are picked when tightly closed, around noon; as the temperature cools in the evening they begin to burst open (with a faint popping sound, it is said) and the scenting operation begins.  Flowers and tea are mixed nowadays in machines that control temperature and humidity.  Some teas are scented just two or three times, but the best receive five or six repetitions using twice as much jasmine as tea.  To remove the flowers’ moisture and prevent molding, the tea must then be refired.  Sometimes a few dried jasmine blossoms are left in the tea to add charm to its appearance.

Poor jasmine tea can be foul-tasting but the uncommon delicacy of a top grade like Yin Hao jasmine is an instant reminder of the joys of life.  Ian Fleming’s James Bond is a Yin Hao devotee.  The grades in descending order from Yin Hao (Silver Down) are Chung Feng (Spring Wind), and Chung Hao (Spring Down).  For sheer intensity of scent, a recent innovation now beats all of these: Jasmine Pearls.  Of limited production, these are pellets (often hand-rolled) that unfurl to release clouds of perfume in your cup.  Only hearts colder than frozen children could fail to be enchanted.

MAIN IMAGE:  IMAGE 1:  IMAGE 2

Scented teas - Part 1 - http://www.tching.com/index.php/2008/12/30/scented-teas-part-1/

[-] Like last year, here are 12 pictures to look back on the last 12 wonderful tea months. 2008 was the year of Cha Xi and new friendships. A big 'Thank you' to all of you who are sharing my tea experiences.

Merci pour vos visites et soutiens ces 12 derniers mois. Voici quelques photos pour dire adieu à 2008, l'année des Cha Xi et de nouvelles amitiés. (2009 s'annonce déjà passionnante...)












(From top: Winter Da Yu Ling, 1989 Jiang Cheng Puerh, Earth and Fire tea bowl, 8892 bing, Cha Xi competition, Yunnan wild puerh trees, Ming Dynasty style green tea at Taipei Story House, singing cup in Lin Family House and Garden, Taipei Bao An temple, Qing dynasty style tea, Sung dynasty style tea, Lishan Hung Shui Oolong.)

Special thanks: My mother, Michel François, Ginkgo, David Louveau, Philippe Coste, Teaparker, the Cha Ren Ya Xin association, Kim, Nico, Serge, Taiwan's tea farmers and pickers.

Goodbye 2008! - http://teamasters.blogspot.com/feeds/2025453818347505205/comments/default

[-]

Tea and Sympathy

"Tea and Sympathy" by Janis Ian - http://uniquelytea.blogspot.com/feeds/7723421497885188686/comments/default

[-]

An Aunt's Privilege - http://stephcupoftea.blogspot.com/feeds/6337295250266108199/comments/default

[-]
more the engrish!

Uh...what?

Engrish Tea - http://queengata.blogspot.com/feeds/1433460473132353426/comments/default

[-] Hello! Hope everyone had a nice Christmas/Festivus/Hannakuh. I managed to make it through a week of festivities with the in-laws and then my family with only getting 2 headaches. That's pretty good considering all the wine I drank. I'm hoping to do a full recap tomorrow when I get my photos uploaded. Here is the condensed version.
*We went to the Bengals/Browns game where is was -15 below zero. We only made it until half time. I thought both teams were going to loose but apparently someone won. I don't have many pictures of this because my fingers don't function properly wearing 2 pairs of gloves with a hand warmer shoved inside. I do have a picture of my frozen beer. That sucked.
*We saw Four Christmases. It was good, I liked it.
*I enjoyed my first Russian peasant dinner on Christmas Eve. I had only heard horrible things about it but I found it rather tasty. I even managed to do all the shots of whiskey!
*Drew only got in one fight with his brother.
*I won 3/3 games of Last Word. I'm awesome.
*I'm really bad at Guitar Hero, I have rhythm and that game does not.
*I got some lovely gifts. Top of the list has to be Beverly Hills 90210 season 1 & 2!
*My 5 month old niece is so cute it makes me want one, really bad.
*My diet starts tomorrow.

Whew! - http://noteaforyou.blogspot.com/feeds/1094505497627888391/comments/default

[-]

Last week, our friends over at U.S. Customs and Border Patrol (CBP, for short) encountered a traveler in Washington DC who apparently really enjoys his tea.  Not for the antioxidants or caffeine rush, mind you, rather the mind-altering effects.

According to the CBP’s report, it seems that our witless traveler tried smuggling in some illegal substances, including marijuana, hashish, and other assorted illegalities, by stuffing them into teabags.  The problem, though, was threefold: first, he had a warrant out for his arrest, so officers were already suspicious.  Second, the teabags were conspicuously overstuffed and smelly.  Finally, he underestimated the super-diligence of the fine folks at the CBP.

So to all those out there with the idea to try something like this, I have two pieces of advice: One, don’t do it. Two, stick with loose tea.

And in anticipation to all the questions I’m sure I’ll get about this: no, I do not recommend smoking tea (I get this question far more than I’d like to mention).

Please just save it for your teacup.

Another reason to avoid teabags - http://tavalon.com/blog/?p=200

[-] Wing Hop Fung: "Together Forever Prosper," They also have a comprehensive selection of "quality" teas .. we left with about $80.00 worth of booty.

"Wing Hop Fung" --- "Together Forever Prosper" - http://chawu.blogspot.com/feeds/8524377491562427998/comments/default

[-]

I think that I shall never see,
A poem as lovely as a Tea.
This brew immortalized in song,
Was "Tea for Two," unless I'm wrong.
And when you're sad as you can be,
There's always "Tea and Sympathy."
There's Peking, Grey, and Oolong too,
And Darjeeling's a tempting brew.
This favorite afternoon delight
can also please at noon or night.
And when you have your "downs and ups,"
There's refuge to be sought in cups.
True English, I am told will gag,
If told their drink was made by bag.
But with delight they're apt to scream,
If it is served with Devon cream.
Oh, poems are made by fools like me,
But only God can make Tea.


I usually end my tea talks by reciting this poem. I cannot recall the source, but my copy says, "By T. Maven, In memory of Linda Wexler, author of "A Spot of Tea."

Tea ~ A Poem - http://uniquelytea.blogspot.com/feeds/2579974353892651311/comments/default

[-] Can tea help fight the flu? Dr. Weil investigates. He also addresses green tea's potential in fighting tooth disease when used to replace sodas and citrus drinks. (I just wish he weren't always so focused on green tea specifically, as most true teas provide similar benefits.)

Also, here's an interesting debate about tea, disease and urbanization. The initial proposal (the idea that tea-drinking lead to urbanization in England) is somewhat intriguing (though probably wrong), but the follow-up comments are what make this page really worth reading.

What do you think about these issues?

Tea as Disease-Fighter - http://veetea.blogspot.com/feeds/7364387335378219776/comments/default