My Tea Story - Predestined With Chinese Tea

by Peter Valk
(Woerden, the Netherelands)

Ancient Chinese people believe in "predestined relationship", I like to tell about my predestined relationship with Chinese tea.

Years ago I was in Guilin city where a passerby started a conversation with me, I didn't want to be impolite but felt that he had some kind of intention, as we started chatting we came across a teashop, he all of a sudden asked me if I wanted to go with him and drink a tea at his friends shop.

I hesitated but followed him when I entered it seemed as if the boss was already waiting for me. I had to sit down and they brewed me a tea, I felt uncomfortable and just wanted to leave. I made up my mind to buy something cheap, as I didn't care about tea anyway, and just get out as soon as possible.

I randomly bought 25 grams of "Lan Gui Ren" tea(beginners tea) and 25 grams of another bitter sweet tea. They charged me something in between 100 and 200 yuan and they looked very happy when I walked out.

I felt cheated and continued my tour. When I arrived home I brewed some tea and to my surprise really liked it. Soon thereafter I bought my first Yixing teapot and read my first tea books, it was the beginning of a wonderful journey.

So to this day I am thankful for that passerby and cherish my predestined relationship with Chinese tea.