tea leaves

Today while walking through the mall, Dad and I noticed a small specialty tea shop. Black, Japanese tea pots and flowered English teacups were artfully displayed on the glass shelves lining the store's front windows, and outside the entrance stood a cart with complimentary samples of their newest fragrant blend. How could we refuse? Not one to pass up anything free, much less good tea, I skipped over to the pleasant stand and poured myself a small plastic cup of the White Jasmine Dragon Green Tea and Red Rooibus concoction that had been slightly sweetened with honey.

It was delicious.

The most delicately flavourful tea that I have ever dared sip.

Dad could not have agreed more. Even he--who admits to being more of a coffee connoisseur than a tea fanatic--found this particular blend beyond delightful.

"I think we should get some," He declared smiling, "Would you like some?"

I nodded happily.

Yet we left empty handed.

I am a tea lover.

But when tea costs nearly $5.00 an ounce ($74.00 a pound), then I do not love tea quite enough.

I do not love it nearly that much.