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Coming up Sunday tea tastings, check out the schedule and menu

Tea event at UCLA 04/23/13

This is the 5th year that the NCAM of UCLA will be hosting the tea event consecutively.  As one of the volunteers of the event, I am very proud to be part of this event for so many years. 

Since it has been a few years, if a freshman attended all 4 events, he would had been graduated by now.  So my concern is what should I talk about when there are students had been to more than one events, I am sure they would not want to listen to the same materials over and over again. 

Tea can be a deep subject, it never ends.  For young minds which may or may not have much exposure to the world of tea, what would they be mostly interested in knowing? 

I personally think tea can be separated into several categories:

1, the basic of understanding types of teas by color, cultivation, processing
2, tea brewing
3, how to identify tea by quality
4, drinking tea and health
5, energy of tea and nature

each category can be extended with many sub categories, which become a large tops on its own

I don't have time nor  that the students have the patience to listen to a 5 days talk at once.  What would you be interested to know if you were one of the audience?  Your input is appreciated greatly. 

My first tea tree

I got this last week, it's a small plant sown from seed.  The seller did not specify the varietal only informing seeds are from China. Let's play the elimination game for now until I receive feedback from China for its identity.  From the look of leaves, it is not pu-erh, it is not green tea, it is not wuyi rock tea, not dan cong either.  I am aiming for one of the varietals from Anxi oolong region.  My guess is Huang Jin Gui.

One might wonder why plant a tea tree, and why years later?  Well, I wish I could have started a few years back so it would be producing by now.  Last year, I visited the long jing producing region and had young tea leaves fried free range chicken eggs.  It was so refreshing and delicious, I can not forget how wonderful it tasted.  So planting a tea tree solely for this purpose is in my mind ever since. 

Tis the season to drink Dan Cong oolong!!!

Dan cong oolong is a moody tea alright.  Season's change also changes Dan Cong teas' performance.  I find fresher the dan cong is, the better it will taste in Spring, Summer and part of Fall.  They hibernate during winter.  When spring comes, they bloom again releasing fabulous fragrance and sweet like nectar. Winter is a season for aged or heavily oxidized dan cong or teas that hold the same characteristics. 

Cupping through my stocks of dan cong oolong of various harvests, most of which tasted better than I last had it during Fall and Winter. 

2011 You Hua Xiang - Pomelo Flower Fragrance

Today, I am preparing for the first tea tasting of the year, cupping teas in stock is my task for the next few days.

2011 Dan Cong teas are now fully open up!!!  I am extremely delighted to find 2011 stocks are performing at its prime.  The fragrance is rich, the texture is silky, the flavor is intense and full.  After taste is refreshing aromatic sweet intense and long lasting.  My favorite is You Hua Xiang so far.  It is well rounded with everything you want in a cup of nurturing tea! 

Time after time, dan cong teas prove to become better with time!  Look forward to sharing these wonderful fairy teas at the tea tastings!   

Spring Tea Tasting 2013

Spring is here!  Weather is getting warmer day by day.  Let's have tea by the sea again.  

Spring Tea Tasting by the sea 

3/17/2013

 Spring Tea Tasting
Spring has arrived, enjoy a warm afternoon by the sea with tea.

Time:
Sunday, March 17, 2013 @ 1 pm

Location:
Point Vincent Lighthouse Park at Palos Verdes Peninsula

Menu:
2012 Long Jing Green Tea
2012 Crystal White Long Jing Green Tea

2007 You Hua Xiang -- Pomelo Flower Fragrance

2009 Au Fu Hou - Gardenia Fragrance

2011 Mo Li Xiang - Jasmine Fragrance

2011 Lao Cong Shé Men - Shé Entrance

2012 Zhi Lan Xiang - Cattleya Orchid Fragrance

2012 Po Tou - Ginger Flower Fragrance

$35 per person
Reservation only, no drop by please

2009 Au Fu Hou

Drinking an Au Fu Hou the other day, after a few years, all of its strength has surfaced. My one and most important definition of good tea is it makes you feel good regardless of flavor and price.  Old bush dan congs share one characteristic, it's soothing to the body, soft and relaxing as taking a spa treatment amongst blooming orchids. 

Like wine, each yield and crop has its own stamps of characteristics, richness, depth, substance are the fundamental essence of quality measured by aroma and flavor.  For Dan Cong Oolong tea, my personal favorite years are 09 and 07.  They are richer and deeper period! 

Spring Tea By The Sea

Sunday, partly cloudy, slight breezy, rolling clouds drifting ashore, a day of many skies.

We had tea here as usual, just 2 ladies having afternoon tea by the sea.

On the menu are 4 teas: 2012 Zhi Lan Xiang (it's great year after year, never disappoints), 1978 Dan Cong, 2006 Lao Ban Zhang, 2006 Dan Cong.

Gem stone flowers

Gem stone flower pen zai (Bonsai), a popular table top decoration since Qing dynasty. A beautiful name Jin Yu Man Tang - Gold & Jade Fill the Room, wishing for wealth and fortune. Colors of gems are vivid and consistent year after year, I particularly like the transparency of the stone.  As a little kid, I had not the appreciation for such traditional beauty.  Today, my love for them is growing strong.