A tea meeting in LA. On my way back from Palm Springs, I met up with two tea friends, Phyll and Bearsbearsbears from the LJ Puerh Community for some tea (scroll down the link for pictures). We had tea at this place called Chado in Pasadena (yes, I drove all the way from Palm Springs to Pasadena). It was a curious little place, serving a good variety of tea, although done in western style pots (in Phyll’s words, Polka-dot teapots).
We didn’t have any of their teas. Instead, Phyll brought his own set of paraphrenalia with two gaiwans and a few drinking cups, etc., as well as the all important tea tray for water disposal. We started with my Dahongpao from Tea Gallery. It was fairly mellow even though I did the 3/4 leaves thing. Then we went on to sample a Yichanghao beeng, and finally, a sample of the 97 Xizhihao from Hou De. I have to say the 97 Xizhihao is slightly disappointing. I need to brew it again, as I have a sample of it myself, but it seemed weaker than I expected.
Regardless, it was a lot of fun to meet up with some online tea friends in person. I certainly enjoyed my time (almost too much, as I cut it pretty close to make my flight). And even better, Phyll was very generous and gave us each a little bottle of something, and I got a Zinfandel. Thanks Phyll! We should do it again.
Yeah whisky prices have been leaking too, as well as luxury watches. I wrote a post maybe a decade ago…