Take those few moments while steeping your tea to consider its journey. Rooted in history and culture, every leaf has been artfully handled by farmers. In an effort to connect the sip to the origin, Adagio Teas created their “Roots Campaign" so that tea enthusiasts have the opportunity to meet the famers producing the teas, and learn more about the region and story behind producing each tea. Adagio noted, “The Roots Campaign seeks to promote the artistry of these hand-produced teas and highlight the efforts of individual growers.”
After having reached out to the Association of Tea Bloggers, Adagio offered members (including myself) a sample of Pi Lo Chun green tea along with an interview with and photos of the featured farmer. Bringing even more meaning to my steeping process, I carefully opened the bag for a peek at the beautiful leaves from Fujian, China “made from tender buds, hand-plucked and rolled.” The fragrant aroma of the dry leaves is rich with sweet apricot and grassy notes.
As the tea steeped for two minutes in 180 degree water, I clicked on the link to read about the farmer who artfully produces Pi Lo Chun green tea, Huang Jian Lin. With only a cup of the steeped sip in my hand, I immersed myself in Huang’s stories and words. One particular comment pushed my imagination and palate to think beyond the taste and visualize the region, “Tongting lake is a beautiful place for growing pi luo chun. Of course some other places can also grow this tea. But not as tender and pure as ours. This is because the special area we have. We have mountain and lake which keeps the field wet and suitable for tea trees.” Huang also shared a few steeping secrets: “use glass cup to brew the tea. Do not use teapot with lid. Because pi luo chun needs more air for brewing.”
Soaking in his words, I took a moment to close my eyes and really taste the tea. This full-bodied green tea is singing with floral notes that walk the line of delicately sweet and subtly smoky. It’s a truly elegant taste that warms and brightens the palate with lingering sweet and earthy notes.
To read more other tea enthusiasts' thoughts on this delicious sip of Pi Lo Chun and Adagio’s Roots Campaign, visit the following blogs (members of ATB):
The heart-shaped teaspoon -- perfect prop!
Posted by: notesontea | August 15, 2011 at 10:12 PM
So glad that you like the teaspoon :)
Posted by: alexis | August 16, 2011 at 08:16 AM
Great to see your post Alexis! What a lovely description of thinking of the tea's origins while drinking it. Hope you enjoyed this month's Roots Campaign selection.
Posted by: Christine@Adagio | August 16, 2011 at 10:56 AM
Hi Christine, Thanks for the kind words and the fabulous sample of Pi Lo Chun. It was so incredible to sip the tea and connect with the farmer via his interview. I really love the Roots Campaign!
Posted by: alexis | August 16, 2011 at 04:23 PM
One of my favourite green teas, some people do not realise the length and process that is required to grow these rare teas.
Posted by: Time4Tea | March 6, 2012 at 08:34 AM
Yes, there is an art to making green tea :)
Posted by: alexis | March 28, 2012 at 07:07 PM