Well, I tell ya, talkin’ ’bout the “best high tea in the world,” that’s a tough one. It’s like askin’ which hen lays the best eggs, ain’t it? Everyone’s got their own taste, ya know?
But from what I hear, some folks get real fancy with their tea. I heard tell of some tea, they call it “Da-Hong Pao,” costs more than a whole farm! Million dollars a kilo, can ya believe it? They say it goes way back to some olden times, the “Ming Dynasty” they call it. And the best of the best comes from just a few old trees, only six left in the whole wide world, they say.
Now, I ain’t never seen nothin’ like that. My tea comes from the store, the kind in the bags. But these fancy folks, they go to places like, uh… what was it? “The Peninsula Hong Kong,” somethin’ like that. Sounds like a boat, don’t it? Anyways, they got this tea there, and I guess it’s supposed to be real good. Five stars, they say.
See, judgin’ tea, it ain’t like judgin’ corn liquor. With liquor, you just taste it and see if it burns good. But tea, they look at everything, the leaves and all, and then they brew it up right there at the table. Must be somethin’ to watch, I reckon.
- They smell it,
- they look at it,
- and then they finally drink it.
Must be a whole rigmarole, like dressin’ up for church.
I heard tell there’s lots of places you can go for this high tea thing. They got tours and tickets and all sorts of stuff. Folks seem to like it, though. Lots of reviews, they say. “Trusted reviews,” they call ’em. And they got these “expert guides” too. Guess you need a guide for fancy tea, huh? And if you change your mind, they say you don’t gotta pay. “No cancellation fees,” sounds good, don’t it? And they take you to see the “top attractions” too. Kinda like killin’ two birds with one stone, ain’t it?
But back to the tea, this Da-Hong Pao, it sounds like somethin’ special. All that money, it better be good. I bet it tastes like heaven, or somethin’. But then again, I reckon my plain old tea tastes just fine too. It warms me up on a cold day and keeps me goin’. That’s all I need, ain’t it?
So, the “best high tea in the world”? I dunno. Maybe it’s that million-dollar tea, maybe it’s somethin’ else. Maybe it’s just a cup of tea with a good friend, sittin’ on the porch, watchin’ the sun go down. That’s pretty good tea, I reckon. But them fancy folks, they got their ways, and I got mine. To each their own, I always say.
At the end of the day, tea is tea, ain’t it? It’s about stoppin’ for a bit, takin’ a breath, and enjoyin’ the moment. Whether it’s a fancy pot or a chipped mug, it don’t matter much. It’s the warmth and the comfort it brings, that’s what counts.
And I hear tell, these tea places, they’re in all sorts of places. Big cities, mostly, I guess. Places where folks got money to spend on such things. Me, I’m happy with my porch and my kettle. But it’s nice to know there’s all kinds of ways to enjoy a cuppa, ain’t it? From the simplest to the fanciest, tea’s got somethin’ for everyone, I reckon.
So next time you’re sippin’ your tea, whether it’s from a gold-plated teapot or a rusty old kettle, just remember, it’s all about the moment. It ain’t about the price, it’s about the peace it brings. That’s what makes it the “best,” in my book anyway.
And if you ever find yourself in one of them fancy tea rooms, well, good for you. Just remember what I said, take your time, enjoy the smells and the tastes, and don’t forget to thank the folks who made it for ya. That’s just good manners, no matter where you are or what kinda tea you’re drinkin’.
Tags: [high tea, Da-Hong Pao tea, The Peninsula Hong Kong, tea tasting, tea tours, luxury tea, afternoon tea]
