Wuyi Shan：
Beautiful day, clear blue skies, crystal green water, vibrant tea buds
On the one hand,it’s not what I am used to, usually staying at…
On the one hand,it’s not what I am used to, usually staying at farms with no plumping or bathrooms. On the other hand, now that Wuyi is made into a tourist attraction, these hotels are quite comfortable. For China standards, this is a 8 star hotel, since some of the 5 star ones are horrific. Definitely can take some of you on the next trip if all we do is Wuyi and Hangzhou. The remote farms I go are not for the faint of hearted or anyone who is slightly used to modern comforts. No, it’s not like camping. It’s like living in 12th century China.
But here at Wuyi this morning, few tourists, clear skies, crisp air, clean hotel, decor not gaudy, no one spitting, no trash in sight, nothing broken and scotch-taped up…I give myself permission to be comfortable for a few minutes.
The key to preserving Dragonwell- here is the true, thousand year…
The key to preserving Dragonwell- here is the true, thousand year old secret technique： giant pieces of limestone, or smaller pieces in our case ( since we only get to have 2#s of this Handmade Pre-Rain Longjing) are used in the final process to absorb the remaining 1% moisture from the finished leaves. Our tea is ready to be shipped! We will taste some at the Harvest Party on May 2, but otherwise, order it at the store now. We are likely sold out of it by then.
After a long long trip in the 19th century train getting here,…
After a long long trip in the 19th century train getting here, Wuyi area is now a resort. I brace myself, but no need. No people, clean air, and the Wuyi beer made with the local water quite good. It’s less about the beer and more about how the water tastes made into beer- a convoluted way to test the water, but maybe I just needed to have a beer after the traveling ordeal.
As for the beer- it’s very good sparkling water.
We call these, ‘beer water’.
The shopkeeper exclaimed ‘you can really drink!’ What, the two bottles of beer sparkling water? I guess there are no women like me in China. I am most definitely not a standard Chinese woman.
100% handmade Dragonwell, Pre-Rain, just finished! The tea master…
100% handmade Dragonwell, Pre-Rain, just finished! The tea master sends this photo- it took him 5 hours today. It will go into a stone plaster urn to dry completely before shipping tomorrow. We have 1 lb. for pre-order, so if you want to experience this sublime craft, call in your pre-order to the store:(510)524-2832. Yes, old fashioned. It will be online by this weekend if not already sold out by then!
Not available usually unless you are a Communist government official!
Traveling in China, buying train or plane tickets, is more nerve…
Traveling in China, buying train or plane tickets, is more nerve wrecking than the stock market. Frequently, tickets are sold out quickly. There are simply too many people, buying online, lining up days ahead of time, etc. I have discovered the secret : buy standing only tickets. They are always happy to stuff you in.
That ticket will cost 1/3 of
normal. With the remainder, order lots of food, sit down in the dining car, and you’ll be sitting down, after all, with a table full of food.
Interminable wait times and long transportation between each place- today is all day traveling to Wuyi. Too early for harvest but that’s one popular and over crowded area once harvest begins in 2 weeks. Well, it’s been years. Time to see if I can get some good Rougui and Shuixian to replace the Big Red Robe/ Da Hong Pao. It’s market DHP anyway, hardly worth the price. Not a tea we are known for, but let’s see if anyone is doing anything interesting and not all the inflated market stuff. And no, not a fan of 金俊眉 Golden Eyebrows tea. Have yet to meet one that’s special.
Traveling in China is really, really strenuous. Chaotic, messy, unorganized, packed with people everywhere, systems that make no sense. Not recommended for anyone.