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Wèn Xiāng Jīn Zhēn Diān Hóng Chá, 问乡金针滇红茶, Yunnan Gold Needle Black Tea

Autumn, 2020; var. Camelia sinensis; Menglian, Yunnan; bud and one leaf, EU Organic, Dianhong black tea process; 1400-1800m; #TodaysTea, #今天的茶, #JīnTiāndeChá. Infusion: 3g in 150ml for 20-30sec.@90-95deg. C Dry Leaf Aroma: carob, malt, and honey Wet Leaf Aroma: strong, aromatic, sharp, orchid? Liquor: reddish amber colour with a faint fruity & malty aroma; Mouthfeel: tingling, […]

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Flummery

Our search is to define a 21st-century high tea. It’s no longer about cucumber sandwiches, and tea with cold or hot milk, but it is something different. We are not trying to replicate a traditional English afternoon tea but we are challenging them to find the 21st-century high tea . Dilhan C. Fernando Dilhan C. […]

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Dilmah Certified Tea Master Certificate

Recently, I completed the final practical exam for the Dilmah Certified Tea Master Certificate program via Dilmah’s School of Tea. It was a self-paced, diverse and interesting program which provides great value for money. The final practical exam involved presenting a tea inspired food or drink. To watch my presentation please visit my VillaTempest Youtube […]

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Tea Tasting & Pairing, According to Betty Kloster

Betty Koster is a Cheese Connoisseur who has some opinions about how to taste and pair Tea with Food. Here are some of her thoughts on this topic… It is acknowledged that we have the ability to discern and identify the four tastes of sweet, sour, salt and bitter. We can also taste umami, called […]

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Water Quality and Tea

When it comes to Water, my views on the, “Evil Empire” are well and truly known. This leaves the questions: Are there any local options, and what are they? Further when it comes to tea, the quality of the water can significantly impact the flavour of the brewed tea, and its appearance, especially with black […]

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Lockdown, A Cautious Retrospective

So… today… Three calendar months ago, we were put into quarantine control and, “Stay at Home” Lockdown. This past week has been a cautious, “Liberation” to some respect. There are changes to how we interact in the community, and staunch recommendations that few pay more than, lip service to. Here are a few photos from […]

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Liberation Day!

For many, today is Freedom Day, our long awaited Day of Liberation.  From today onwards,  normality is to be restored throughout Shanghai. We have been let out of our compounds, and we are allowed to travel again. But, some are fearful, still. Life is returning to the plaza at Fashion Park; Parents bring their children […]

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Day Eighty Five of Lockdown

Today is supposed to be our last day in Lockdown. From midnight tonight, we should be unlocked fully… with an exception. Yesterday, I thought my pictures would be the last of the volunteers but we are PCR testing again today… just for luck. The residents gather to lineup for testing; the voluntary medical staff man […]

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Day Eighty Four of Lockdown

The big news is that Shanghai has authorized the opening up of the city and phase out of restrictions from June the 1st. Minhang still has positive cases, so we may or may not be a bit delayed – we shall see what we shall see. Today we are PCR Testing in preparation for an […]

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Day Eighty Three of Lockdown

Like every day, we have to do self testing, morning and evening; I love drinking Dian Hong cha; These days are so strange, we hash in a virtual online circle… We have a new GM, we have some new Hashers out in the street; we also have a new Hash song… enjoy the song!

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