What is this? District 9? Aliens attack….tea leaves? Just a big locust getting roasted in the tumbler and holding onto dear life. Apparently, tea is popular amongst exo or endoskeletals alike….
One of the production secrets of Wuyi Oolongs, and more…
One of the production secrets of Wuyi Oolongs, and more particularly, Mr. Zhang’s method, is to blow bamboo charcoal heat into a fan that sucks the hot air and circulate into the tumbler of raw leaves, to dry, stimulate oxidation, and force the water ducts in the leaves to push the aromatic oils to the edges. I have never seen this method used in any other oolong production. This low level heat requires a lot of labor still- a dedicated worker to continuously toss the leaves to prevent scorching and combustion. Green apple fragrances fill the space.
Early morning hike to one of the peaks of Mr. Zhang’s farms. They…
Early morning hike to one of the peaks of Mr. Zhang’s farms. They were machine cutting the fall/winter crop today, the last day of tea production. 100% hand harvesting is rare nowadays at Wuyi, with not enough hands and very short harvest schedule. These ‘machines’ were just really a big motorized clipper with a large sack in the back, and the longer extra leaves are simply sorted out later. The climb was steep through the forest, and the harvested leaves must be ran down the mountain by foot, and fast, to prevent wilting. The air today was crisp and clear and scenery beautiful and the creek water sweet and clean. Wuyishan is a paradise for tea, after all.
Conversation topic to while away the late night tea production?…
Conversation topic to while away the late night tea production? Chairman Xi Jin Ping’s crackdown on extreme corruption and capture of even military leaders who stole thousands of millions of dollars. Their assets confiscated, overseas family members made to come back together for persecution. A tough leader cleaning up the Communist party mess, Mr. Zhang says happily.
Really? I said. How do you believe it? But then the night is young and I better not burst Mr. Zhang’s bubble. I, along with 1.3 billion Chinese (minus the communist party officials) truly want to believe this as fact.
Mr. Zhang is an interesting personality. His new tea room is…
Mr. Zhang is an interesting personality. His new tea room is nearly finished and the tea tables and chairs were commissioned and made with wood from a sunk wrecked ship. The end of the boat makes the pointy end over which he presides. This way I can hang out and drink tea with guests while production takes place, he said. The tea room is right next to the production facility. And upstairs? Dining, kitchen, AV, rooms for his family, rooms for his workers, guest rooms etc. I said what about a ping pong room, jokingly. Mr. Zhang drily replied: it’s on the fourth floor. Of all the tea masters I have met, Mr. Zhang pays the most attention to every detail of life alongside his tea, and life with his tea together. What does that tea life look like? He has definite ideas.
The tea production is round the clock and goes into the next…
The tea production is round the clock and goes into the next morning. The facility is filled with tea fragrances, the steam from the tumbling and wok firing bearing layers of flowers, fruits, and even the sweetness of ginkgo nuts make one, fantastic, place for a nap, resting with the piles of resting tea leaves…..
One can not bottle these incredible fragrances for this blog, nor adequately video the sensations from smelling these ever changing bolts of aromas. One has to be there, with all senses engaged and fingers fast and neurons firing. Fortunately tea helps to keep all functioning well late through the night.