16 September 2009 (Wed): CK,my colleague popped by my office and handed me a gift from Ho Chi Minh City. His brother brought a 'BIG BAG' home, supposedly.
Through the transparent zip-log bag, I saw some grey balls of what he told me was tea. Enchanted by its shape, I was ready to enjoy it.
The aroma, first of all, perfumed my room with chrysanthemum fragrance. The tea ball, when immersed in boiling water, 'blossomed'. From its centre, a string of yellow dried chrysanthemums danced; I couldn't wait to bring it home.
At home, A drank it like it was another wonderful tea, with no hoo-ha oo-wow coming from this 'cool' tea-drinker and 'connoiseur'. "What?!" I thought. That's all the reaction I got.
But a week ago, after a month has past, we went to Goodwood Park's Coffee Lounge again for its porridge meal. The waiter, Benjamin, from Ipoh cheerfully recommended this 'FLOWER TEA'. "I've had that before, Benjamin. I loved it in fact," I replied - somewhat dampening his enthusiasm to introduce the new tea. Anyway, I ordered the flower tea he recommended.
The presentation was delightful; it was served in a transparent western drinking glass instead of the ceramic cups that I use at home. The glass was placed in front of A. whose eyes widened. "This is very nice", he exclaimed. "It must be good..."
I took a sip. Nope, not that good, though. The tea-ball opened up as usual, but revealed a small bouquet of red orchids and jasmine in its middle. These flowers don't go well with the tea, unlike chrysanthemums. Nevertheless A. became intrigued by this 'discovery'; he wanted to comb Singapore to find it. After two days he gave up. Fortunately R. was going to Ho Chi Minh City for a short break. She came back with two small bags from TAX Centre across Rex Hotel, where M. recommended the supermarket to get coffee. A bag of the tea-balls costs about SGD 6 for 8 balls according to R. On each bag reads 'Jasmine Pearl Tea (Tra lai tran trau)'(ジャスミンパールティー).
Great accompaniment with any kind of Chinese/Vietnamese food and Japanese snacks:
These are from S.-san who sometimes returns to visit his family here:
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