Cloud tea is like life; life is learning, wisdom is cultivation.
The second day of the New Year, visiting the wife’s maiden home — a time-honoured tradition. Every year on this day I bring gifts to my mother-in-law’s house. In the past it was fruit and pastries, but since I entered the tea business, my gift has always been a fine tea cake. This year I brought a 2018 Menghai ripe pu-erh, specifically for my mother-in-law. She is getting on in years and her stomach is not what it was; ripe tea is ideal for her. This gift is not expensive, but it is sincere. When choosing the tea, I deliberately picked one aged five years or more, because by that age the ripe tea has lost any “pile smell” entirely, the mouthfeel is warm and silky — most suitable for older drinkers.
Arriving at my mother-in-law’s, the first thing I did was brew tea. She was delighted to see me bring tea. She said: “You always know what I like.” I brewed and poured her a cup. After one sip she said: “So smooth, so warm.” That is the character of ripe tea — warm, smooth, gentle on the stomach. After drinking, her whole stomach felt comfortable, and even her complexion looked rosier. Watching her drink tea, my heart felt warm. This simple happiness is beyond any price. Later she even asked me to teach her how to brew it herself, which I did with great pleasure.
From a wellness perspective, ripe tea is especially suitable for older people. Because it undergoes pile fermentation, its nature is warm and gentle, with minimal irritation to the stomach. Older people’s digestive functions tend to be weaker; ripe tea is traditionally believed to warm the stomach and aid digestion. After drinking ripe tea for several years, my mother-in-law told me herself that her stomach discomfort has noticeably decreased. Many also find that the beneficial microorganisms in ripe tea support gut health. As intestinal function declines with age, ripe tea is said to help maintain a healthy microbial balance. These benefits require consistent, long-term drinking to become apparent. Research has also suggested that the theabrownins in ripe tea may support healthy cholesterol levels, and the tea polysaccharides may assist in stabilising blood sugar — making a daily cup or two a simple wellness practice for seniors. Personally, I drink ripe tea daily and have noticed my digestion improving considerably — the constant bloating I used to experience has disappeared.
Tea has grades; all may enjoy it regardless of status.
The reunion on the second day of New Year is precious. The whole family gathered around, drinking tea and chatting — this warm scene is life’s happiest moment. I have always felt that giving tea is more meaningful than giving anything else. Because tea can be drunk every day, and each time you drink it, you think of the person who gave it to you. The sentiment endures — unlike flowers that wilt in days. My mother-in-law said she would drink this cake slowly, saving some for next year’s second day. This exchange is so tender — it is the connection that tea brings us. Bringing a cake of ripe tea as a New Year gift to the wife’s family is the warmest of greetings. There is another advantage to giving tea: tea cakes can be stored for a long time, unlike other gifts that spoil. A good ripe tea cake, kept for several years, will only improve in flavour. Every time my mother-in-law drinks this tea, she will remember the reunion of the second day. This lasting connection is tea’s unique charm.
Make friends through tea, please enjoy a cup.
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Author: Old Tea Head · Lin Shen (LamSam)
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