It is rather scary, but I have the first of six chartered accountant exams coming up in just over three weeks.  The date seems to be looming closer and closer which means I need to start some intensive studying.  Yesterday, on my way home from work, I stopped at the tea shop to pick up the teas I'll be drinking while studying for my exam.

First of all, shopping for tea is one of life's great pleasures.  There are few places as inviting as a tea shop.  You come in from the cold into a warm, cozy and fragrant environment.  It is fun and relaxing to open up the various canisters of leaves and take a deep breath of what is inside.  Yesterday the lapsang suchong immediately caught my eye so I bought some.  I then asked the proprietor for a recommendation for a nutty flavoured tea, and was directed to a wonderful rum and marzipan tea.

For those of you who are not well educated in the British art of brewing tea, I suggest reading this guide from h2g2.  I try to follow the British rules and superstitions when brewing tea since they do make a difference in the end.

Tonight I chose the lapsang suchong and words cannot describe it.  The smell of this tea is therapeutic when you are stuck in the city and long to run into the woods screaming.  The tea has been dried over a pine wood fire so it has a strong smoky smell which brings to mind campfires and folk fest.  As the tea brews the entire apartment smells every so slightly of a campfire.  I pour myself a cup and impatiently wait for the tea to cool a bit.

When I try it, this cup of tea is among the best I have ever had.  The flavour is gentle but also subtly dark and mysterious.  The lack of any bitterness astounds me and I quickly finish the cup.  I remember why I like this tea so much - it really brings to mind so many happy memories.  While I may dread studying and exams, tea is a great comfort.