There are two things I have realized after brewing myself a cup of Teavivre’s Lu Shan Yun Wu Green Tea. First, all tea from Teavivre require a certain kind of care when brewing– the temperature of the water and the length of time you allow the leaves to steep are important, unlike the Twinnings tea bags I so recklessly over-steep. Second, I’m nearly incapable of giving my tea leaves the amount of attention they so very much deserve. So, after steeping my Lu Shan Yun Wu into oblivion and bitterness, I had to promptly pour it out and try something else. The second time around, I tried Xin Yang Mao Jian Green Tea, and the results were much better.
I am fascinated by the Xin Yang Mao Jian tea leaves. They are dark green, straight tipped, and ever-so delightfully fuzzy– a sign that the leaves were picked in early spring. The dried leaves smelled vegetal and even a bit like nori, the dried seaweed you might find wrapped around maki sushi. I thought the flavor of the tea itself would be overwhelmingly savory, but I was surprised when floral, smoky, sweet notes were more prominent to me. This tea is most refreshing and perfect for a late spring or early summer day when the skies are blue and delicate blossoms from tree branches flutter about in breezes and the sun is just starting to warm up the wintertime air.
And as much as I enjoyed Xin Yang Mao Jian, I felt disconnected from it because I can feel Autumn right around the corner. Even though it is still August, the mornings this week can best be described as “brisk” and the days for the most part are gloomy and overcast; somehow the melancholy of this season invigorates me. Then, Friday evening I stood out on my balcony to enjoy the cheers of the high school students and their families as the drumline’s cadence sauntered down the road, and for a little while, I felt nostalgic for my marching band days. I cannot wait for Autumn to truly settle in.
What is Autumn like where you live? Are you excited that the season is right around the corner?
By Golly, Ollie! 
I wish I were a tea-drinker. I can indulge in it sometimes, but I like being bad by drinking coffee with ridiculous amount of cream. Lol. As for Fall, it is my favourite season as well. I don’t care that it represents dying and decay. I love the colours, the snuggle/cuddle temperature and American Football! 🙂
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Ooooh, I’m a sucker for coffee too, but most of the time I drink it black, a habit I picked up in college when I didn’t have enough money to buy enough milk and sugar or creamer for the amount of coffee I consumed. When I feel like having a particularly luxurious morning though, I’ll pick up a fancy flavored creamer, like ammaretto or pumpkin spice.
Snuggle temperatures are the best!
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I am incredibly excited for autumn. Not only do those blasted mosquitoes and wasps go away, but I don’t feel like I’ve stepped into the seventh circle of Hell when I go outside, and I can put on some clothes again! Layers, yay!
Not only that, but I can start drinking lots of tea again (which I don’t do when it’s hot), and autumn means apple pie season and rain. I like myself some autumn.
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Reblogged this on greentealicious and commented:
winter is almost over where i live. I loved drinking green tea on a cold winters day. so cosy!
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