Tea
I am new to drinking tea, particularly living tea - tea leaves acquired from seed propogated old-growth trees. In a short span of time, these teas have had a profound effect on me. I will share my experience of each of the living teas I have had a chance to try and spend a little time with.
My meager knowledge of tea preparation and access to this type of tea comes from brief encounters with Wu De of Tea Sage Hut/Global Tea Hut and Colin Hudon of Living Tea, for which I am extremly grateful.
By "Tea Qi" below, I mean to say how the tea moves and effects me.
Yiwu 2004 Sheng Puerh
Yiwu Sheng Tai Puerh. Autumn smoke and afternoon sun through the trees. Pleasant qi and patient taste that carries through many steepings.
Tea Qi
This tea is super easy going, very physical. From head to toe, my body relaxes. Spiritual conversation is effortless. This is a perfect weekend tea for the evening when there's not a care in the world. At its most intense, it can resemble a mild form of MDMA, euphoric. Images come readily to the mind's eye. It's easy to be together with others, there an immediacy and effortless oneness. You can get lost while found.
Sun Moon Lake 2013 Red Tea
Deep amber color, full-flavor and qi. Big leaves ideal for a bowl. Nice tea for the morning.
Tea Qi
This tea starts your day. You are the doer. Eat something, it can get in your stomach. Get down to business. Big and rich.
Tien Quon "Heavenly Spring" 2004 Shou Puerh
This late-season, large-leaf Shou Puerh sustains a mildly sweet, full aftertaste throughout many steepings. A wonderful Puerh for late afternoon and evening tea sessions on a cold day. Ideal for boiled tea.
Tea Qi
The balm and the antedote to swelling, outward energy. Internally soothing to the heart. Not very talkative. Questions are left unanswered, nothing is pressing.
"Greg's Galactivation Serum" 1990's Shou Puerh
Dark, earthy, sweeter in later steepings. Dave Brubeck Delight. A favorite of Living Tea.
Tea Qi
Highly intellectual, book reading tea. College dorm room and library smells. Ordered clutter.
"2010 Shou Puerh Tea Nuggets 'Cha Tou' - March 2014 Global Tea Hut
We find this tea to be so warming, creamy and earthy that it brings us into our hearts, dropping our energy to the ground. It makes you want to sit cross-legged on the floor, and reminds your guests where all life on this planet starts from - the soil! The Qi descends in Yang swirls, and invites you to ground yourself.
Tea Qi
Breathing becomes deep. Heart calms. You can be worry free and productive. Meditate or not, you won't be pulled in if you don't want to be.
The Gateway of Spirit Purple Tea 'Shen Men', light roast
This unique purple bud, old-growth, wild Red Tea captures the flavor and aroma of the anomalous purple buds that grow each Spring. It erupts in a bouquet of fruity, flowery notes that expand through many steepings. The uplifting, euphoric Qi has gained this tea its nickname "dreamtime tea".
Tea Qi
Slightly stoney, recalls Woodstock. Feminine and soothing. You can sleep on this one.
"8582" Replica Sheng Puerh
Deep forest leaves after a rain storm. This tea is full and round, ample and unctuous, with aromas of an old wine cork. It sustains a mildly sweet, persistent, penetrating presence through many, many steepings that root you in the earth. This is a quiet, meditative tea that is absolutely wonderful.
Tea Qi
Lays everything bare, you can't hide. Not talky.
2012 Yunnan Sourcing Yong De Blue Label Shou Puerh
Tea Qi
Extremly opening, heart and mind. Thoughts take on a good quality. Hard to stop the train. Helps one accomplish great things!
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