Pet Party slogan employed to your favourite flavour.
不忘初心， 不忘初心… (Buwang chuxin, literally: don’t forget original heart) Originating from a poem from the Warring States Period (475-221 BC) this slogan, or a slightly different form of it, can be seen plastered and postered everywhere at the moment. Since 2015, when Xiamen City Council started on their project of building an extensive metro system, it has been employed as some form of rallying call to – go figure – be happy about all the dust in the air.
Also, on a national level, it has been the pet slogan of the Party for a couple of years now to excite people’s emotions behind the grand rejuvenation of the presumably otherwise downtrodden nation. So, with all this deflating by overuse, I was very happy to have it employed in a far more intimate setting of brewing tea. I mean, the saying is about holding on to one’s original aspirations or dreams. Sometimes, depending on the conversation, the saying can even refer to one’s first love, etc. Basically, not straying too far from the real you. (For those interested, more info on the motto of the era here).
How then can this saying find its way into my tea cup? Quite nicely, actually. It is as follows: some tea people have taken up this very endearing habit of serving only a little sip of the very first brew, and then placing it aside in a serving jug. And after the third brew or so, they will serve you again the by now much cooler original brew. Just before tipping the serving jug, with a twinkle in their eye, out comes “不忘初心.” Sold.
What is going on? You are being served back all the subtle notes you by now have lost. By the third brew, the tea liquor will have gained a much thicker texture, viscosity, and flavour profile for your tongue to be able to fully attain the memory of the original brew. However, all of that magic of the first encounter now floods back to you, and only now you are able to fully appreciate the arch the flavour has taken. Going back full circle is scintillating. If you are graced with enough tea ware to be able to try it out – I highly recommend the exercise.
Please note, it takes a change in the drinking settings. I often find myself wishing I had put aside the first batch by the time I reach my third or so brew, just to have that first encounter again, but forgot to think of it at the time. Saving the first go is especially recommendable with the lighter teas of the spectrum. If you use this method with, say a rock tea, you might find the first brew just underwhelming. But if you try it with a light-natured tea, the first brew already has all the subtleties available, just not fully primed. Ones worth trying it with could be Silver White Needle tea, or a light Lapsang/Xiaozhong. That at least is my experience so far.
Wishing everyone rejuvenation of the first notes of your favourite flavour! Unforgettable moments with the original tea aspirations!