Jasmine green

Do you remember that conversation I had with the owner of the Thai restaurant I like about maybe serving hot tea since winter is coming?

My thinking was based on the fact that everything I’ve had in the small place has been excellent. Including their strong exquisite Thai iced tea. I was thinking that they might serve an equally excellent hot tea in the colder months.

Last week’s Orange Pekoe was truly underwhelming. It was hot, I’ll give it that.

I had already had two super strong super wonderful Hong Kong style milk teas with my breakfast by the time I stopped in to pick up the chef’s special. I had no intention of having any more tea until I got home.

Placed my order, paid, sat down to wait. The owner came over.

I’d like to treat you to a cup of tea. What would you like?

We went through the options. So far, I knew that the Orange Pekoe was hopeless. Ok, jasmine green. And what brand is it? The kind in a big yellow box with red Chinese characters.

The sweet man brought over the steeped tea. I thanked him.

The tea— so lacklustre. The jasmine had a false note. The leaf tasted dusty and dull.

Such a sad cup.

These teabags were likely the cheapest option. I get that. But how much more of an investment would it have been to buy teabags that were just a bit more bearable? Delicious even?

I’m trying to come up with a diplomatic way of saying that the tea is not great. Maybe some things are better left unsaid.

My food came and off I went for the long long long cold wait for the bus. A good percentage of the drivers had been let go because they refused to get vaccinated against COVId-19. The transit commission had not anticipated the driver shortage.

Ugh. Just ugh.