07.01.2009 : Tea of the Month for July - Po Lin Peach
Tea: Flavored Black Tea
Aroma: Reminiscent of a sweet, juicy peach
Flavor Strength: Medium
In the Cup:
Smooth and aromatic with sweet peach flavor.
- Xanadu Po Lin Peach tea is named in honor of the Po Lin ("Precious
Lotus") Monastery, found on Lantau Island at the mouth of the Pearl
River near Hong Kong. Nestled high in the wooded hills far above the
water, the temple grounds contain the world's largest outdoor statue of
a seated Buddha – known worldwide to the faithful as the Po Lin
Buddha.
- Legend: One summer, long ago, a small group of
Buddhist monks journeyed from the Pearl River up the dangerous coast of
China, traveling to pay their respects to the powerful Mongol leader
Kubla Khan in Xanadu. The poor monks brought with them a tribute
– not of gold or jewels, of which they had none – but of
marvelously crafted wooden boxes containing seeds of rare plants they
had gathered for the Khan's fabled Secret Garden. One seed –
ironically, native to China, yet unknown to the Garden –
particularly delighted the great Khan. Today, we too delight in the
monks' gift of the sweet and juicy Peach.
- Excellent as a refreshing iced tea!