Tea Outliers

Most people I know, who are tea drinkers, tend to sample a very narrow range of teas: basic green and basic black. Or many who live in the Southern U.S mainly gulp gallons of sweet iced tea. That's fine, but the world of tea has so many varieties and diverse flavors, that I prefer exploring and sampling even the most obscure tea outliers.

Fortunately, I stumbled across an outlet of Singapore-based TWG Teas when I visited Pacific Place Mall. Happily, I was able to find some magnificent pu'erh tea, which is a tea made through a process of fermentation. Pu'erh is an  ancient tea from China, though it has only recently arrived in the U.S., that is often aged upwards of 20 years. I purchased the Golden pu'erh, which costs about $25 for 50 grams. If you judge me extravagant, please know that I did not buy TWG's more luxurious pu'erhs which run at about $85 for the same paltry quantity.

Pictured here is a cup of the pu'erh I brewed for myself after I returned to my apartment.  You will notice that it is as black as a stiff cup of coffee. Don't let the darkness fool you. Pu'erh is fairly gentle, but it is an unusual taste.  Many use the words "musky," "earthy," or "leathery" to describe the flavor. I've even served pu'erh to someone who equated it to "drinking a cup of mulch." It is different, and one has to find a quality pu'erh that is smooth and subtle, but over time I have grown to love the flavor. 

Another interesting tea I purchased was one I had never tried before: Lapsane Souchone. This Chinese tea is highly unusual in that the leaves are smoked over a pinewood fire as part of the curing process.  My first cup was love at first taste. The smoky flavor was assertive, but not overwhelming, and it reminded me of the feeling I have sitting by a campfire. The joy of discovery is particularly sublime. It is proof, at least for me anyway, that the simplest pleasures can often be the most enjoyable.