A Moment for Tea

It was long time ago. A summer when we decided to do the thing most Finns commonly do. What is that? Well, of course a cruise to Stockholm. I was excited to do it, I mean to spend a day in Stockholm. I really like this place: classic, chic, cool... I also thought that cruising part would be fun too. You know, spending time just reading great books in our cabin and properly catch up on things. Well... I know that I haven't done a cruises many times. I noticed quite rapidly that most people don’t have the same idea of activities on the ship as I did. By the way, why is it so hard to find a proper cup of tea in there?

Aija-Riikka Rannanmäki and I go back many years. We were studying at the same university of arts. She is a pianist and currently finishing her studies and teaching piano in the East Helsinki Music Institute. She is also studying comparative literature so she is a very active girl in deed!

Stockholm was as radiant as I had thought. We had a marvelous day wandering around the city, chatting and shopping. And of course we needed to have a nice cup of tea. I had received recommendations of Tea House Chaikhana in the Old Town (Gamla Stan) just opposite the fascinating German Church (Tyska Kyrkan). The tea house was a refreshingly cool and quiet place where one can easily escape the buzzing streets to enjoy quality tea. I ordered a Chinese rose flavored white tea called 'Mei Gui Da Bai'. According to the tea menu of Chaikhana it is: ”White rose tea, or even known as 'rose mist', is among one of the rarest of the flavoured white teas. Produced in limited quantities during a short period in the late spring in Fujian, this silver needle tea distinguishes itself by its smooth sweet taste and sensual hint of high mountain rose that lingers on the palate.” As it was a lunch time we both ordered a petite afternoon tea to enjoy. Aija-Riikka had an English afternoon tea and I had a French one (which was a new acquaintance to me).

Aija-Riikka's home has a tradition of enjoying tea every evening. She remembers her grandmother having it and her parents and little sister have maintained the tradition. Since moving on her own she has done so too. How sweet is that! She prefers black tea but also likes green tea. Usually at home she enjoys organic Assam. In the mornings she likes to have a cup of coffee. She is very fond of her evening tea moment. Like she said: 'It is not just the tea but it is the moment with tea!'