Sunday, May 05, 2013

Technically Tea


It was decided when Dad and Alma visited recently, that we would do a "town day". I determined to take them to tea and to a local museum. Dad is a retired university professor. He has been responsible for the education of many electronics technicians and engineers over the years. I really wanted to take him somewhere that would interest him and remembered that one of the tea shops in town was co-owned by an IT computer scientist and electrical engineer. Perfect!


It was decided that we would participate in a tea tasting. Olga was a wonderful host and spent much time discussing tea and its history, sources, and usage.


She spent several hours with us, explaining things and answering all our questions.


We tried four different teas. They were:

 Mocha Roca Rooibos: a naturally sweet, earthy tisane with subtle hints of chocolate; the best rooibos I have ever tried; excellent (I don't usually enjoy rooibos tisanes).

White Bergmot Honeymoon: a super floral black tea; a blend that is all about the aroma; smelled like roses; rich in the oil of bergamot, also called beebalm (I have lots of it growing in my herb garden right now); dad's favorite of the day and my least favorite.

Ceylon Nuwara Eliya: plain black tea; dark mature; flowery broken orange pekoe; full-bodied and delicious!

Yunnan Royal Gold: a red tea from Yunnan, China; made from young leaves, buds, and tips; very flavorful and my favorite! Most delicious of all!


Chocolates, fortune cookies, and artisan candy was served with tea so that we could cleanse our palates between kinds of tea. Olga was generous with the tea portions and attentive to the pace we set in enjoying our teas.


We spent time looking through the gift shop where tea containers and accoutrement's from all around the world were displayed and available for sale.


It was an enjoyable time and I loved going to tea with Dad and Alma. They were great conversationalists and were interested in the tea experience.


Generally, after tea with a friend we'd go to some of the nearby gift shops. But, I decided to treat Dad to a visit to our local museum instead. It was the highlight of his day! He walked inside the front door and was met by a docent. That is where he stayed for the next two hours and the two of them discussed ideas of mutual interest. The docent was exactly Dad's age and was a physicist who spent his entire career in our community where he worked in the nuclear industry. He shared history, perspectives, and answered questions galore! Dad never did see the displays.



Alma and I browsed through museum displays, learning about nuclear power along the way. It didn't take us two hours, so we each found a comfortable chair and relaxed while Dad enjoyed his visit with the docent. 

Afterwards, I thought I really should take Alma to a gift shop or two, just to be fair. We ended with a trip to Frosted Cupcake Sweet where we each had a decadent cupcake! It was a very pleasant day.

8 comments:

  1. It sounds like a perfect day - an enjoyable visit for everyone.
    ~Adrienne~

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  2. What a fabulous and truly memorable day for everyone! You captured some great photos, too! Simple lovely. I'm with you, rooibos is not normally a favorite. However, my sister went to Africa, and gave me some 'green rooibos teabags' as a souvenir, and I have to admit, I find it quite pleasurable. Always have to keep trying things!

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  3. Wonderful day spend with your Dad and Alma in town. I love that he pleasantly visited with the docent at his leisure. It's a perk of being retired and he's got that down. I think I would of enjoyed the Yunnan Royal Gold tea, too.

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  4. Ohhhhhh, that was a great day, La Tea Dah. I'm sure your dad and Alma loved every minute. Susan

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  5. Hearing that your dad didn't quite make it in to the museum exhibit made me smile--and yet what a successful day! Funny to me how tea brings so many people together in so many ways. You never hear that about, say, Dr. Pepper!

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  6. A perfect tea sort of day. Wonderful to share with those you love. I am guessing the Yunnan Royal Gold would be a variety of Yunnan Gold that I love so much. I usually like anything from Yunnan province.

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  7. I'm glad you had such a nice time with your dad and Alma...

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  8. What a fun day! The teas sound wonderful! I would have loved to try that White Bergamot Honeymoon!!!!

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