Lung Phin Tea - the scent of memories...

The gray and black colors of the rocks are silent throughout the land and sky. The vast rocky mountains and rocky forests, coupled with the scarcity of water resources, yet the deep green carpet of corn fields and the solid green of ancient tea trees emerge. Is that why the special aroma and color of Lung Phin tea always exudes a mysterious aura? Enjoying it even just once is unforgettable!

The spindly tea trees have strong roots that penetrate many layers of rock to absorb minerals to nourish the sparse but sturdy and thick layers of leaves. Standing under the ancient tea tree, you can still see the sky, sometimes clear blue, sometimes cold grey. And the sunlight slant through the mountain range, hanging lazily on the treetops, filtering through each leaf. At night, the dew and cold air from the rocks cover the tea trees. For hundreds of years, Lung Phin tea has remained faithful, sharing the joys and sorrows with the rocky mountains.

The H'Mong people in Lung Phin have lived with tea trees for generations, creating their own way of making tea. They never pick tea buds like other tea regions. They have to wait until the buds bloom into young leaves before gently picking them. The fire used to roast the tea is the stalks of corn plants that have passed the harvest season. This fuel creates a flame that flares up like twinkling stars, and when it fades, it only leaves enough warmth to roast the tea leaves until they are fragrant, shining with a golden color crystallized from minerals. Very special!

Early in the morning, beside a pot of Lung Phin tea with its deep sweetness, listening to the scent of tea immersing in distant memories echoing from the ancient stone forests, we have contemplated many things. On the land of Vietnam, there is no tea tree with a miraculous and strong life like Lung Phin tea!

(Entry to the contest "Impressions of Vietnamese coffee and tea" under the program "Honoring Vietnamese coffee and tea" for the 2nd time, 2024 organized by Nguoi Lao Dong Newspaper).

Graphics: CHI PHAN

Source: https://nld.com.vn/tra-lung-phin-dam-huong-ky-uc-196240323170257854.htm