Lately, I thought I often heard my daughter goes around at home chanting " Tai Ping Monkey king! Tai Ping Monkey King!" happily, while her dog, a lovely finnish lappland, gladly tails her everywhere.
"Is everything allright?" I asked her.
"Yes", she said in a matter of fact manner " Laika (the dog´s name) can now jump one meter high, mamma", she add proudly.
"oh, yes?", I said amazed."Yes!, want to see it?", she said.
"Sure" I replied and came out with her into the garden. And true enough, goodness the dog can jump one meter high without even running for a start!
I went on with my chores, proud and happy. I must have succeeded as a mother. My daughter seems to be so happy, and very responsible over her dog, Laika, and yes... the tea chanting ... I must have succeeded in educating them culturally too. Good. (photo: Naomi)
I like Tai Ping Monkey King as green tea and was very impressed the first time I opened a pack from Johan & Nyström and tasted it. And what a quality! Really. The first brew has always given me some aroma of conserved brown sugar. Note that I said aroma, because the taste is not at all that sweet. The second brew has always given me a more spicy taste. I love the first brew though. In my tea experience, no matter if it´s with the guest at the teahouse or friends at home, is that tea can actually be quite individual, and may share different taste experiences with different people.
Photo: Naomi / Photo Edit: Celina
Now, reminded of this tea, I made a quick note at my kitchen over the direction where I know I have more than a three quart full of this tea. Goodness, I said, now it´s just only half full! Remembering the chanting this morning, I thought it must have been Le Ly learning how to really appreciate this tea. Good, I thought, and dismissed the matter.
"Yes", I said, " you liked it too huh?"
"Yes, she said ".... it´s so good even Laika like it too!"
"WHAT?!" I exclaimed " ...are you saying, you´re giving Laika some tea?! How? Dogs don´t drink tea.
"Why not?" she answered as in her "why not way". " Laika likes it. ... more than she like her dog candies. .... you saw how she can jump one meter now!" And happily they run to the garden tea chanting again.

Well, what can I say. I guess it´s parenthood, besides, it has made that particular tea tastes even better for me. It´s another story Í´d be telling my children repeatedly while they´d hopefully grow up into somebody I would always be proud of. Most probably yes, afterall they actually understand whenever I explain "why Taiping Monkey King can´t be for Laika". And what more, they´re kids who couldn´t sleep until I have tucked them in and kissed goodnight.



