The Thousands

The other day a friend made me a coffee. Standing in my kitchen he explained the origin of the coffee beans, ground them up and weighed the water he had just boiled. He weighed the water. Then he poured it through a filter and into my cup. I couldn’t work out if this coffee obsession was badass or just ass. Nevertheless, it had a great deal of theatre to it. As someone who predominantly drinks tea, I guess that is something I miss. But this here tasting event will help me become an ass in no time. Yes, the next time you ask me for an Earl Grey you’ll have to watch me chop up leaves, weigh water and listen as I tell you about the tea’s ‘terroir’, something I first read as ‘terrier’. The terroir I am speaking about refers to the “unique combination of natural elements that come together in any one place.” Soil, aspect, climate and myriad other factors. In short, what helps make specialty teas so unique. This ‘Tea and Terroir’ tasting event is hosted by independent tea label Tea&Sympathy with special guest May King Tsang, an international tea expert visiting from the UK.