Today is one of those rainy days that had me wandering out into the world alone. Downtown. I forgot this place existed. I’m half-joking here, considering I’ve been to the pool hall a few times in the past few months. But really, I’m such a shut-in. Today’s mission was only to get my cellphone screen and glass replaced then get some Teaberry gum from the candy store around the corner and wait out the repair. Except around the other corner is a Vietnamese restaurant that doesn’t cater to bland palates, like the one close to my house. Despite having had a bowl of soup a few hours earlier, I soon found myself sitting at a table with a big pot of tea and a rice noodle plate.

This tea was served, already brewed, in a large ceramic pot. The green tea was a good Vietnamese green, a little fruity, and the ginseng provided a hint of rooty, bitter-astringent zing and visceral warmth. The pandan leaf took it over the top. Toasted rice, vanilla, coconut, wafers. Supreme comfort. Dessert tea. Of course I drank the entire pot.

The smells and tastes, the overcast day. It was like being back in Vietnam. Including having no cellphone. I wish I could be rid of that thing. Heck, I could probably get by without it considering I no longer need one for work. Sometimes I feel like such a Luddite.

Evol Ving Ness

Sounds like a perfect moment. And a fine tea.

ashmanra

I didn’t know you have been to Vietnam! How exciting!

Leafhopper

Sounds like a pleasant day and an interesting tea. Was Vietnam a good tea destination? I’ve had some nice Vietnamese oolongs.

Crowkettle

This is such a lovely tea and this note is relatable (what is “downtown”?). A perfect accompaniment to a rainy day :)

Crowkettle

@Leafhopper,imho Vietnam is a fantastic tea (and coffee) destination. You can buy a lot of different types of good quality loose tea for affordable prices in market places – although it’s sometimes hard to determine what’s what. I got to sample a few teas from this company, Trà Việt, when they had a tasting at a museum and they were all enjoyable. According to their website, this one is 129,000 dong/100g which is approx $7.29 CAD.

Mastress Alita

I don’t own, and have never owned a cell phone! The hardest part is convincing the REST of the world that only accomodating to cell phone users (this is especially true during the pandemic) is a problem. But I still won’t cave in. :-)

mrmopar

Cell phones, I only have one since it is tied to a business. Othe rthan that on the weekends it is set op the charger and only picked up on Monday.

Evol Ving Ness

No cellphone here either (and quite happily so).

gmathis

What a delicious sounding day!

derk

I admire you no cell phone people. Mine gets muted at night and sometimes not turned on at all for the weekend. The hell if my precious sleep is going to be interrupted by dings or vibrations.

Evol Ving Ness

Sadly, when I was in Vietnam, I wasn’t yet into tea though I did coffee my brains out.

Sierge Krьstъ

Luddite, that sounds like a tea brand. I used to call myself social retard, but actually found smart phone overwhelming. I can’t wear jewelry and/ or watches either. The last phone I got was from chinese shop and it was meant for Nigerian market. I am sure someone is listening to my conversations. Pandang, that’s a powerful imagery.

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Comments

Evol Ving Ness

Sounds like a perfect moment. And a fine tea.

ashmanra

I didn’t know you have been to Vietnam! How exciting!

Leafhopper

Sounds like a pleasant day and an interesting tea. Was Vietnam a good tea destination? I’ve had some nice Vietnamese oolongs.

Crowkettle

This is such a lovely tea and this note is relatable (what is “downtown”?). A perfect accompaniment to a rainy day :)

Crowkettle

@Leafhopper,imho Vietnam is a fantastic tea (and coffee) destination. You can buy a lot of different types of good quality loose tea for affordable prices in market places – although it’s sometimes hard to determine what’s what. I got to sample a few teas from this company, Trà Việt, when they had a tasting at a museum and they were all enjoyable. According to their website, this one is 129,000 dong/100g which is approx $7.29 CAD.

Mastress Alita

I don’t own, and have never owned a cell phone! The hardest part is convincing the REST of the world that only accomodating to cell phone users (this is especially true during the pandemic) is a problem. But I still won’t cave in. :-)

mrmopar

Cell phones, I only have one since it is tied to a business. Othe rthan that on the weekends it is set op the charger and only picked up on Monday.

Evol Ving Ness

No cellphone here either (and quite happily so).

gmathis

What a delicious sounding day!

derk

I admire you no cell phone people. Mine gets muted at night and sometimes not turned on at all for the weekend. The hell if my precious sleep is going to be interrupted by dings or vibrations.

Evol Ving Ness

Sadly, when I was in Vietnam, I wasn’t yet into tea though I did coffee my brains out.

Sierge Krьstъ

Luddite, that sounds like a tea brand. I used to call myself social retard, but actually found smart phone overwhelming. I can’t wear jewelry and/ or watches either. The last phone I got was from chinese shop and it was meant for Nigerian market. I am sure someone is listening to my conversations. Pandang, that’s a powerful imagery.

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Bio

This place, like the rest of the internet, is dead and overrun with bots. And thus I step away.

Eventual tea farmer. If you are a tea grower, want to grow your own plants or are simply curious, please follow me so we can chat.

I most enjoy loose-leaf, unflavored teas and tisanes. Teabags have their place. Some of my favorite teas have a profound effect on mind and body rather than having a specific flavor profile. Terpene fiend.

Favorite teas generally come from China (all provinces), Taiwan, India (Nilgiri and Manipur). Frequently enjoyed though less sipped are teas from Georgia, Japan, Nepal and Darjeeling. While I’m not actively on the hunt, a goal of mine is to try tea from every country that makes it available to the North American market. This is to gain a vague understanding of how Camellia sinensis performs in different climates. I realize that borders are arbitrary and some countries are huge with many climates and tea-growing regions.

I’m convinced European countries make the best herbal teas.

Personal Rating Scale:

100-90: A tea I can lose myself into. Something about it makes me slow down and appreciate not only the tea but all of life or a moment in time. If it’s a bagged or herbal tea, it’s of standout quality in comparison to similar items.

89-80: Fits my profile well enough to buy again.

79-70: Not a preferred tea. I might buy more or try a different harvest. Would gladly have a cup if offered.

69-60: Not necessarily a bad tea but one that I won’t buy again. Would have a cup if offered.

59-1: Lacking several elements, strangely clunky, possess off flavors/aroma/texture or something about it makes me not want to finish.

Unrated: Haven’t made up my mind or some other reason. If it’s pu’er, I likely think it needs more age.

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California, USA

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