Stone Pressed Wild Yabao Aged Brick

Congratulations to David and Lily Duckler on the opening of the new Verdant Tea House!

I’ve been saving this tea for a special occasion.

Today was this special occasion! The dream of a proper Tea House in Minneapolis came true today!

This was the right time for tasting but I couldn’t keep this tea all to myself. This was the Duckler’s Wedding Tea and they had served it to everyone who attended on their special day. (Some of the Wedding Beeng was saved for annual Anniversary celebrations, which I think is very romantic!)

I decided to take my packet of tea to share at Happy Lucky’s Tea House. (For anyone who is new, this is my local tea pub in Fort Collins, and I take tea to share. They drink my tea and I drink theirs)

Celebrating is best shared with others!

I arrived early enough for the shop to be quiet (before the afternoon rush).
Preston set up a gongfu tray for shop owner George, manager Andy and the staff to enjoy many steepings of tea.

Because the shape of the tea leaves are somewhat like wheat, the flavor opened up quickly when exposed to water during the first steep.

One quick rinse, and the first pour was lightly smoky…smooth textured with the aroma of sweet straw hay.

The second pour was more developed and sweeter. Andy said the tea reminded him of an olive tree that had been cut down by his house which smelled sweet when the wood slowly burned (although I didn’t taste or smell smokiness any longer).

I sat quietly at the tea bar, and thought about Lily and David’s wedding day. I imagined how this particular tea fit into their plans, knowing that tea is an important consideration!
Many guests would be served this tea outdoors, the scent of flowers in the air mingled like invisable bubbles with much joy. Lily a beautiful bride and David happy. (What a vision!)

Everything fit. The tea, the scene…all blended with elegance.

The sweet, buttery tea would weave a silky thread uniting everyone in joyous celebration, lifting the spirit.

Eric commented that he had tasted a young Yabao before but he wasn’t fond of it. This aged Yabao however, was “really special”! (All agreed!)

Excellent tea to celebrate an excellent friendship on a special occasion. What an honor!

To have dear friends who care so much for others is a great treasure.

I lift my cup with my friends to David and Lily, and all the people at Verdant Tea House!