On Wednesday, I went to a class about Taiwan teas. It was just suppose to be a 2 hour class, but it turned into a real adventure.

The class was held at the Taiwan Tea Association offices, in the oldest part of Taipei City. We tasted green teas, Oolong teas, and black teas. They are all from the same species of plant, Camellia Sinensis. The difference is in how they are processed. All Oolong teas are from Taiwan, most black tea is from China and other Asian countries. Green teas can be from China or Japan.

After the official class, a group went out to lunch and I tagged along. We talked the tea master into coming with us. He was a great guy about 70 years old. He splits his time between Taipei and Los Angles with his tea business. He took us to a restaurant and ordered an amazing amount of food, but it only cost us each about $3.00 American. Then he showed us around the oldest part of Taipei City where all the markets for dried foods, spices, and textiles are.

Then off to his shop for another tea lesson. This one concentrated on Taiwan teas and how to prepare them and serve them. It was a terrific way to spend a rainy afternoon. I was the first to leave about 4 p.m. I would love to take visitors there again.