These hills frame the horizon when looking out from my friend's home in Arizona. There's something that calls me to reflect upon contrasts when brewing tea in the desert. Wet and dry, sun and shade, hot and cold, brittle and pliable, bitter and sweet, these contrasts are present both in tea and desert.
We brewed three teas in gong fu style. We started with a Huang Shan green, then a Wuyi Oolong and finally a Shou Pu-erh.
Contrast of dry leaf and wet. Above: Shou pu-erh ball. Below: Spent leaves from the three brews. The pu-erh is the darkest on the bottom.
Like beautiful desert flowers that add vibrancy to a subdued desert landscape, my friends were the heart of this tea brewing experience. It was an honor to make tea for them.
I'm grateful for this chance to share many small cups with my amazing friends!
Fun! Friendship! Tea! Great combination!
ReplyDeleteWhat a LOVELY post, Stephanie!
ReplyDeleteWe were the one blessed with the tea ceremony, Steph! Your poetic writing and beautiful photos captured the essence perfectly.
ReplyDeleteHow fun to see you sharing tea with good friends. That is what tea is all about right there in those pictures.
ReplyDeleteAlso blessed by the presence of true friends and a special tea ceremony
ReplyDeleteare Jen's family, far away in distance but always close in heart.
With gratitude for the joy you brought to AZ, Diane (Jen's MoM).