Archive for the ‘serving tea to friends’ Category

Tea party with Amelia


2011
05.02

Had a wonderful day with my brother and his family. His wife Sara has been a valiant supporter of my tea obsession in general and this blog in particular. But today my niece Amelia insisted that I share my tea. I considered something herbal. Or light.

But Sara assured that she often sips from her mother’s cup and she would like my strong tea, as long as I add quite a bit of milk and even a bit of sugar. I did that and we had the sweetest little tea party.

Nothing special. A bit of Jaimasi black tea from the Nilai Estate in India. I didn’t prepare it with her sensitive palate in mind.

She absolutely loved her tea, and I have to say it was the nicest experience I’ve had on this trip. Thanks for that Amelia.

 

 

don’t mention it


2011
04.05

He says everything and he says nothing.

This is a funny saying that the Germans use when they’re talking about politicians. Actually, you could use the phrase when talking about anyone who’s using public relations-speak. Many words…not much actual meaning.

A client visited me this evening, and we had a wonderful time that had everything to do with tea, but simultaneously had nothing to do with tea. Nothing at all.

When I serve tea, I regularly put quite a lot of thought into what the perfect tea for that situation is. Maybe sometimes this analysis borders on the obsessive, but as far as I can see it’s a victimless crime.

So I’ve served this client tea many times. I know she doesn’t take milk, but often adds a little bit of sugar. I’ve been on a bit of a Ceylon kick lately, so I decided to serve one that I like a great deal.

Ceylon Nuwara ‘Lover’s Leap’

I’ve written about it at length before in a number of blogposts, but this was one I liked from last year in the dead of winter.

Normally, I save my best tea for guests, and this was no exception. But here was the thing: although the tea was appreciated and drunk with relish, there was no mention of it. It’s why I say the good time had everything to do with the tea. Yet the fact that it’s impact went unspoken, was almost more of a success than if a big to-do was made about it.

Either Jackie or Pete (or both) over at Leafbox Tea/Tea Trade have made the point that we needn’t always obsess about the tea we’re drinking it. Sometimes the best compliment one can give a great cup of tea is to simply not call attention to it.