Haunted Tea
Have you ever felt a tap on your arm when no one was nearby? Years ago, I was visiting the Moss Beach Distillery in Half Moon Bay with some friends. We went in the early afternoon and had brunch at the restaurant. During the meal, I felt a tap on my left arm. When I turned to see who wanted my attention, no one was there. The Moss Beach Distillery is said to be haunted by an infamous “Blue Lady” who lived in the era of Prohibition and always wore blue to meet her lover at the Distillery. The famous haunting has been the topic of many guests that visit the Distillery and also an episode of “Unsolved Mysteries”. Since I wasn’t sitting next to anyone at the time, I could only presume that the “Blue Lady” had tapped my arm to let me know she was there and that she saw me. I’ll admit, I was a bit taken aback by the incident and my friends were definitely intrigued as well but in the end, I was grateful for the encounter and I look back on it with fondness and nostalgia. Which brings me to my latest tea discovery, much like my random encounter with the Blue Lady, I stumbled upon an enchanting tea by Maya Tea Company called “Blue Lady Black Tea”. The title alone had me curious to see how this blend would pay homage to the Blue Lady who, to this day, still haunts the Moss Beach Distillery. To my delight, the tea is absolutely breathtaking. Every time I brew a cup, I am transported back to the era of Prohibition and I have visions of the Blue Lady sitting in the dining room, sipping this tea and waiting anxiously for her lover to arrive.
Flowers, the scent of beautiful flowers is the first thing you smell when you go to brew this tea. The floral aroma is strong but there is also a sweetness to it, like you have a lovely bouquet in one hand and a jar of orange honey in the other hand. The bouquet is a mixture of flowers, there are multiple scents in this blend: hibiscus, cornflower and some citrus to add some zest to the mix. Sometimes, I just open the pouch just to breath in all of the loveliness of the leaves, so dainty and serene. The scent almost reminds me of a delicate perfume, one that the Blue Lady might have worn when she was alive.
Like waves crashing to the shore, brewing this tea is like finally arriving at your long-awaited destination. The hot water only intensifies the floral aromas and breathes life into the leaves. The tea leaves open up and release gorgeous shades of auburn and chestnut in the cup, all flowers must be planted in the earth to set up roots and bloom. The flavor of this tea is floral but also tangy, there is a slight tartness that offsets the flavors of hibiscus and cornflowers. Drinking this blend is like drinking the nectar of flowers from a hollow orange. The tea can get a bit dark, so I usually add some cream to enhance the sweetness of the flowers. I think the Blue Lady would approve, I’m guessing she is sending me divine instructions on how to go about enjoying this tea, in her fashion.
So, the next time you get a divine “tap” to brew something floral and lovely, look no further than this tea. The scent will have you longing for a sweet love affair with your teacup - you won’t be able to keep your hands or lips away from it. Be sure to add a little cream and invite the Blue Lady to come sit with you, she loves company. After all, there is a lovely lady in all of us, just waiting in anticipation to take a tea time.
Stay open to trying new teas, sometimes we must take a new perspective on old favorite flavors, experimenting with new combinations to bring out the beauty and synchronicity of the leaves.
Website: https://www.mayatea.com/products/blue-lady-black
Enjoy your tea time,
Fairy Teamother