In Chinese tradition, peach stands for long life and good health. There is a beautiful story here because the peach itself has travelled almost exactly like the fine teas: from an ancient Chinese landscape, through Central Asia and Persia, carrying with it not only flavour but stories, symbolism and dreams of longevity.

In the West, and quite often in Sweden where I come from, the potential in high-quality teas is often overlooked. People tend to choose tea based on added aromas rather than on the real quality of the tea itself. In classical East Asian traditions, however, high-quality tea is understood as something very potent and rich: a living substance that carries qi (氣 pronounced chee), the vital energy that gives aroma, flavor, and affects your physical and mental state. These are dim