What is the best gift in Vietnam for the seniors?
Hanoi's West Lake is famous for its lotus
blossoms. Quang Minh visits a family of local
tea makers who have been producing
traditional lotus tea for generations
"The lotus flowers on West Lake bloom for
just three months every year, in the late spring
and summer."
One summer morning, when dew still clung to the willow trees that line the lotus ponds near
Hanoi's Ho Tay (West Lake), I found my way to a family known for their special lotus tea.
The land of Thang Long - HaNoi has long been known for its lotus tea. Which the locals prepare
and enjoy in an elegant manner. Hanoians are very proud of their tea, especially lotus tea from
Tay Ho, which was once served at the royal court. Following the ups and downs of history, some
families in the Ho Tay District still earn their living by making traditional lotus tea. The family
of Mr.Tien and Mrs.Loan are an example.
When I arrived at their house in Quang Ba village, the couple was so busy that they could only
offer me a cup of tea before returning to their work. Observing the entire family as they tended to
the lotus flowers, I came to understand the meticulous nature of this craft.
Lotus flower are easy to grow and can thrive almost anywhere. However, the lotus blooms found
in Ho Tay have a distinctive fragrance. As such, locals even built a Buddhist pagoda named Kim
Lien (Golden Lotus) in honors of this flower. This kind of lotus is also known as the "lotus of a
hundred leaves". It features a beautiful flower, large leaves and a distinctive fragrance that
infuses deeply into tea.
On West Lake, the lotus bloom for just three months, between the fourth and the seventh months
of the lunar calendar. This is the hard season for tea makers. Mr.Tien told me that the lotus used
to make the tea must be collected in the early morning, when the dew remains heavy, in order to
ensure the tea's freshness. After being picked, the anther (the part of the stamen that carries
pollen) is quickly separated from the flower before it withers and loses its fragrance. Workers
must rush and perform this job with great care.
Making lotus tea requires many steps, all of which require sensitivity and skill. First of all, the
anther is taken from the flower and mixed with high grade dried green tea. In Mr. Tien's view,
tea from the Thai Nguyen Highlands is excellent, as is San Tuyet (Mountains, Sweet and not too
acrid, these teas complement the lotus fragrance.
Scenting the tea is the most difficult phase of production. For every layer of tea, a layer of fresh
lotus anthers must be laid down. The mix is then stored in a closed environment for two days to
allow the lotus fragrance to infuse into the dried tea leaves. Despite the burning summer heat,
Mr.Tien "imprisons" himself indoors in order to ensure the quality of each batch of tea.
After two days, the lotus anthers are removed from the tea and replaced with fresh ones. This
process is repeated seven or eight times over a span of three weeks or more. After this, the
famous Tay Ho Tea will be ready for marker.
The tea leaves are very small, dry and crisp. According to Mr.Tien, it takes 1.5 to 1.7 kilograms
of lotus anthers, or 1,500 lotus flowers, to make just one kilogram of tea. Each batch yields only
five to seven kilograms of the finished product. As such, the entire family can produce roughly
100 kilos of lotus tea per season. With the current market price of Tay Ho lotus tea standing at
VND5 million to VND7 million per kilogram, the family's income is decent. However, taking
into account the amount of labor and the costs involved, it is easy to understand why this tea is
an expensive specialty.
Ho Tay and the lotus growing areas are shrinking quickly, causing concern to both tea makers
and fans of this special brew. The family of Mr.Tien has been devoted to this craft for many
years. They are committed to preserving it as a tradition passed down from their ancestors and
part of the culture of Thang Long Ha Noi.
An old saying states that: "A cup of morning tea keeps the doctor away". Research suggests that
Viet Nam is among the world's first tea growing countries. Its green tea is world famous.
Normally grown at high altitude, tea is said to collect the "essence of heaven and earth in its
leaves". The lotus is associated with Bud dhism and purity. Both plants are employed in
traditional herbal medicine.
A pot of Tay Ho lotus tea retains its fragrance and taste for several rounds. Anyone lucky enough
to have tasted this special brew will recall its special sweetness and fragrance.
Hanoians are proud of their culinary traditions; of which tea drinking is an integral part
sophisticated locals use morning dew to brew their tea. For generations, Hanoians have shared
cups of lotus tea with their friends and admired the blooming flowers. A pot of lotus tea is
associated with love, compassion and humanitarianism. Ha Noi still retains many of its fine old
traditions, stirring feelings of love and attachment in visitors.
This article written by Lanh Nguyen from Travel Agency in Vietnam
For original article, please visit:
http://travelagencyinvietnam.com/travel-news/what-is-the-best-gift-in-vietnam-for-the-
seniors.html
Vietnam Culture Tour
Vietnam Package Tour