Maybeteatoday

Once a tea I felt most connected. 

Started at Masu, Tongmu Village, Wuyi Mountains, Fujian province, China, the origin of Zhengshan Xiaozhong (Lapsang Souchong). A mountain range with humid subtropical climate that blocks northwest cold current and save the southeast ocean warm current. The old bushes full of the terroir, the feeling of misty mornings, bamboo forests, ferns, pines, mountain springs and violets. A black tea more than a black tea.

When marching onto the third year, I started to experience black teas outside of China. From the most iconic English Breakfast tea blends to the prestigious single estate teas, Fannings to SFTGFOP (Special Finest Tippy Golden Flowery Orange Pekoe). Listening to the stories of every tea had to express, the sound of the ocean, the voices of the mountain, the condition where they were produced. Argentina, Australia, Georgia, India, Indonesia, Japan, Kenya, Korea, Malawi, Mozambique, Nepal, Rwanda, Sri Lanka, Tanzania, Thailand, Turkey and Vietnam. 

Unlike the teas I had previously, tea types and cultivars were no longer limited to the origin’s original purpose, they became more creative not only on the appearance but also the naming. 

The year I felt being touched by the possibilities of a single species camellia sinensis can bring to the world.