International Adventure in Tea

 Just yesterday I stopped by the Jasmine Pearl teashop

because I had heard Nobuyuki Konishi of Shizuka Farm

in Japan was pouring tea.  We are friends on Facebook.

I stepped up to the tea bar for a cup of tea

and he turned to me and asked about my garden.

I was astounded that he recognized me!
He definitely notices.

 How fun to sip tea with a tea farmer from Japan.

I often drink his Yuzu Black tea and always keep it in my stash.

I wanted to taste more of the teas he grows.

We sipped a green tea, which was very unique;

but since I am not a green tea fan he served a black tea.

You can see the difference above in the two cups.
The black tea is called Miyama Black, a second flush.
large, full leaf tea.
He compared his black tea to a flowery Darjeeling
and yes, I could see that.
But this morning as I sip I would say it reminds
me of the high mountain black tea I drink from Taiwan,
quite a favorite of mine.
Would I buy this tea, DEFINITELY!  It is delicious, rich, a
bowl of exotic flowers!

Now there is more to the story.

Also sipping tea at the tea bar was Jordana from Brazil.

How fun to make new friends over cups of tea.

Jordana is in Portland on a one month internship

all about gardening and has a garden business in Brazil.

Now she wants to come and see my garden.

Both Jordana and I loved the black tea.

This was definitely an international adventure in tea.

Linking to Bernideen today:  http://blog.bernideens.com/