The boat for Tai Ping Hou Kui - Spring Teas 2011 (China)

Friday, our last day with Anne and Andrew, the winners of the “Grand Guignole” fund- raiser. What better than a boat trip to visit Tai Ping Hou Kui? To our surprise, what we thought to be buyers of tea and dozens of tourists boarded the boat with us! This disappointed François a little, who is usually alone when visiting this little corner of paradise.
'I have never seen so many people on the same boat!'
Arriving at the garden of Tai Ping Hou Kui, it became obvious, while talking with Mr. Ye the grower that the people on the boat were all pluckers who had arrived in town just to pluck the early harvest - (to the delight of François).

Mr. Ye is a man of the land, a country person with the hands to prove it. The simplicity of these dedicated tea men is beautiful to see. I saw all the hard work that this tea requires. It's one thing to hear of it in a story from François, but quite another to watch the transformation of this fine tea live.

We tasted a first grade Tai Ping Hou Kui– freshly made.
The finished leaves were just magnificent! Large, beautifully formed, and delicious. The delicacy of its flavor with lightly toasted notes make this an excellent elixir for a Sunday afternoon to be savoured with pleasure. The prices were high, but realistic once you see the work involved. François bought a small amount.

After a stroll through the gardens with their amazing view, we started back on the boat where this time the only passengers. Returning to Tunxi, we left Anne and Andrew at the airport to continue as a duo.

Josiane Monette