Two new Oolongs to Celebrate Reconnecting with a Long-Lost Tea Mentor
Wang Huimin taught me almost everything I know about oolong tea. She taught me Chinese tea ceremony. Her invitation to sit as I walked by her tea room in Qingdao is what inspired me to fall in love with tea. Without her, there wouldn’t be a Verdant Tea today. Unfortunately, we both left Qingdao unexpectedly, and earlier than anticipated. We exchanged emails and phone numbers and went on our way.
Yet, neither of us were able to contact each other. She ended up having to give up her old phone number, and emails were being firewalled. I have been searching for a way to contact her for two years, and this week I finally got back in touch because I found an obscure blogger that mentioned her in Xiamen, and traced it back to Taipei. I have already booked tickets to visit her and help her make her dream of a tea bar happen. (More on my trip to China later…)
In celebration of reconnecting with my old friend from Fujian, I brought in two little five pound batches of Anxi Tieguanyin. One is roasted in the traditional way, and one is light roasted. You will have to check out my short story to know why these teas commemorate Ms Wang’s childhood memories.
I hope you enjoy! This is just the beginning of a deeper adventure into oolongs for us now that we have the guidance of master Wang Huimin again.
What a great story. So glad you were able to reconnect with your mentor and will be able to help her realise her dream.
These teas looked great David, I just ordered 4 ounces of each. I’m very intrigued that she’s in Taipei. I’ve really begun to enjoy Taiwanese tea this last year or so. I hope she can find you some great Taiwan teas for us to enjoy in the future.
Got right on it before you posted this! :) Thank you for another rare and wonderful offering David!
Will both of these be sent out as a sample for the folks that pre-ordered the Dragonwell or just one?
Ohhhh my! I had to cancel my credit card as I lost it and now I’m waiting for it in the mail! I really hope it gets here in time before they sell out. Fingers Crossed
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