Cupping the Great Outdoors

Tea Cupping Set and Airpots

Given the incredible SF Weather the past couple of weeks, I took my ritual tea cupping time to the great outdoors.  This project was all about finding inspiration for the next great addition to the T-We Tea lineup.  I, a Virgo, find my peace and harmony surrounded in greenery and vast expanses so what better place than the picturesque Golden Gate Park.  I packed up my little Echo with a gym bag of vendor tea samples, cupping sets in their perfect containers, and an airport of just boiled water.  Little did I know what kind of journey this would bring…

My first choice of location was the Chinese Pavilion located on Stow Lake.  I was just there a few days prior visiting with a friend, and the serene water and pure beauty of the pavilion is the idyllic spot to revel in tea.  I parked my car and begin my journey of schlepping tea things (story of my life) to the bridge to cross onto the island where the pavilion is located.  To my suprise, a construction truck met me at the bridge crossing with a sign translating “None Shall Pass.”   Me being an outstanding citizen with a high morale code decided not to rent the paddle boat to cross onto the forbidden island and taste tea.  I moved on…

Cupping Keemuns. One on the right was the best!

Next stop, I found the most spectacular glen equipped with vast picnic areas with benches, grills, and what other material may be required to host a party equipped with a moonjump.  The expanse of this valley was stunning, and the countless tables guaranteed that I wouldn’t be bothered by another soul.  Here, I setup shop and began my ellarborate OCD procedure for tasting teas.  I dove into a battle of 3 Keemuns all vying for my love and final sales order.  I was in my element.  Inspired by the alluring smokey aromas, I was on journaling away in this serene and peaceful environment UNTIL a band of 8-10 rogue hipsters decided their ideal ‘Snoop Dog Themed Picnic’ location was located 10 feet from my table.  WTF!  Out of the 100 empty tables presenting them self to the hipsters, how come they need to cluster next to the guy with some wacky airpot and little porcelain sets.  When one shouted, “What we drinking?” to the response of “PBR” (seriously, it doesn’t get more cliche than this), I knew it was time for me to admit defeat and pack up and move onwards.  Ohh hipsters…

Last stop was a small expanse of grass where I just setup shop on the ground in a little dirt patch.  Here, I was able to get two more cuppings finished looking at Indian Black Teas and then a round of Chinese Greens and Oolongs.  At this point, the game of homeless man frisbee that I was volunteered as the center of the throwing field did not sway me in my spot and I stood my ground to finish the damn tea cuppings.

Moral of the story, next time I think I will just open my window from my apartment.

Tea Cupping the Great Outdoors