We all have those incredible sensory memories where just the slight aroma sends us back to a treasured moment. Our minds are suddenly flooded with images and a sense of time and place that once was. While I have many of those memories tucked away in my heart, there is one in particular that plays to a tea tune.
It was one of those perfect fall days in New York when the air was crisp but not nearly close to cold. Running down the streets of SoHo to meet a dear friend, I found her waiting with a smile in front of In Pursuit of Tea’s shop (which I must sadly say is no longer open). We opened the glass door to the tiny store with exposed brick walls that seemed to glow like autumn leaves on the treeless street.
Shelves were lined with traditional cups and teapots, and a blackboard displayed what teas were being sampled that day. Within seconds, my whirlwind of joy calmed as my eyes settled on the word “oolong” written across the board. For those of you who have followed me on my tea journey, you know that oolong tea makes my heart sing. I turned to face the woman pouring tea from a gaiwan and gently approached her. She extended a delicate cup and before I brought the sip to my lips, I heard her share that it was their high mountain oolong tea. Even though I was grounded in fall just moments before, my senses shifted to spring as the floral notes escaped through the steam. With just one sip I found myself lost in a field of honeysuckle flowers. It was at that very moment that I knew I had found a treasured tea, a transformative tea.
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The handpicked green oolong is grown in the San Lin Shi Mountain in Taiwan and brewed to reveal a subtle jade liquor. This full-bodied oolong carelessly lingers on your palate with smooth and almost sweet floral notes that leave a bit of spring behind. According to In Pursuit of Tea, “ 'Gao Shan cha' translates into 'high mountain tea', a term often used by the Taiwanese to describe a premium oolong that is grown at high elevation.” Grown at very high elevations with drastic climate change, the oolong adjusts to the weather and develops complex characteristics that allow for multiple infusions.
Leaving with a tiny bag of the High Mountain Oolong nestled delicately in my purse, I felt fortunate to have found something so special. Over the next few months I often reached for the bag of tea carefully placed on the second shelf of my cabinet. While I brewed the water and steeped it for seconds, I could bring myself back to that fall day and get lost in a moment of pure sensory joy. In Pursuit of Tea’s High Mountain Oolong from the fall of 2012 was and will always be my favorite tea.
Nominated for the Epikur Writer of the Year Award. Click here to vote.
Lovely story! I'm a huge oolong fan and High Mountain is one of my very favourites, too. New follower to your blog, but very excited to join you on your tea explorations. :)
Posted by: Suzanne Gardner | November 15, 2012 at 01:48 PM
You have such a lovely writing voice; it's as comforting as a cup of the tea you write about. This gets my vote for food writing--good luck!
Bummed we didn't get to chat at the Swap on Monday, but next time, for sure!
Posted by: kelly @ kellybakes | January 16, 2013 at 09:16 PM
Kelly-thanks for such kind words and for your vote. I am bummed that we didn't get to meet up too! Next time for sure. p.s. your chocolate stout marshmallows looks incredible!
Posted by: alexis | January 17, 2013 at 03:06 PM