Tea Flowers

Niu Lang Zhi Nu. That's the name Simpson & Vail gave to this wonderful tea and I recently took advantage of a rainy afternoon to brew myself a cup or two. The tea was a gift from my sister. At a holiday party this past December, she was charmed by watching the Chrysanthemum and Amaranth flowers unfold and expand as they soak up the precisely 185 degree water and steep for 5 minutes. She thought I might enjoy it also.

The name comes from the Chinese legend of Niu Lang and Zhi Nu which is celebrated in the Double Seventh Festival. It is the Valentine's day of China. The seventh day of the seventh lunar month was the only day that Niu Lang, a cowherd, was allowed to see his wife and the mother of his two children, Zhi Nu, a fairy from heaven. Because Zhi Nu was very skillful at weaving, the custom has been for young girls to pray to her for skill at sewing and needlecraft. Articles are made and competitions are held. They also pray for a "sweet love."

I was totally unaware of the legend when I had my tea, but I was fascinated by the unusual photographic opportunity it provided. I spent a happy half hour taking various photos with my glass mugs and teapots. The taste? Very mild.