Tay Ho lotus tea marinating art
In the early morning mist of West Lake, when the lotus flowers are still tightly closed with their pure fragrance, the Hanoi artisan has started a silent journey. West Lake lotus tea is not simply a drink, but the crystallization of elegance, like a "living heritage" flowing in the cultural source of the capital land.
Unlike the strictness and ritual standards of Japanese tea ceremony or the sophistication and display of Chinese turmeric tea, Hanoi lotus tea has its own beauty: sophisticated, introverted and full of humanity. Vietnamese people drink tea not to seek absoluteness, but to open their hearts, connect and share stories.
The special feature of lotus tea lies in the incense marinating process. Tea leaves are "awakened" by lotus fragrance through 7 marinations, 7 drying, and the entire "lotus rice" is pure white. When brewed, the lotus fragrance spreads gently, as if wrapping the entire summer of West Lake in a small cup of tea.
Fate to come to the profession from love for Hanoi
Sharing about her journey, artisan Nguyen Thi Trinh Nuong said that her fate with lotus tea began more than 10 years ago. Initially, she only made tea to give to relatives and friends.
The first batches of tea were just a small gift, but when everyone enjoyed and loved it, I started thinking about doing more to spread this value," said Ms. Trinh Nuong.
From her initial passion, she gradually embarked on the profession, self-learning, researching and perfecting techniques. For her, tea is not only a product, but also a way to preserve Hanoi culture - the place that nurtured her soul from her student years to when she started her career.
To make a standard lotus tea batch, the artisan must go through many meticulous steps: Choosing tea, separating lotus rice, marinating incense, drying... Each step requires accuracy and patience.
However, according to artisan Trinh Nuong, the most important thing is not the technique but the "heart" of the craftsman.
When I really want to bring the best products to everyone, I will work seriously and cherish every small detail," the artisan shared.
That dedication has helped her tea batches retain their pure, natural flavor, imbued with the "soul" of Hanoi.
Not stopping at production, artisan Nguyen Thi Trinh Nuong also participates in experiential activities, introducing lotus tea at festivals and cultural events. She wants to bring lotus tea closer to domestic and foreign tourists.
This is not just an economic story, but a story of preserving and developing culture," she emphasized.
For her, each cup of tea is a story about Hanoi - where people live slowly, subtly and with great affection. In a peaceful space, lotus tea not only helps people relax but also connects generations, preserving traditional values through stories so that we understand each other better.
The bridge of memory and present
In the life of Hanoians, lotus tea is not only present in daily gatherings, but also appears in sacred moments such as New Year's Eve. A cup of tea offered to the ancestral altar is a symbol of purity, filial piety and the continuation of tradition.
Lotus tea is the virtue of Hanoi people - elegant but persistent," artisan Nuong believes.
This female artisan also expressed her expectation that when tourists come to Hanoi, they will not only remember pho or bun cha, but also immediately think of lotus tea - a thanh tao, luxurious gift of the capital land.
According to her, to preserve this heritage, it is important to popularize and spread it widely, so that lotus tea not only exists in images or stories, but is truly present in the experiences of tourists.
When each cup of tea is cherished and given as a gift from Hanoi to distant guests, then the scent of lotus tea can persistently live with time and become an unforgettable cultural mark.
Amidst the current of modernity, people like Ms. Trinh Nuong are contributing to preserving a unique cultural feature of Thang Long. Lotus tea, therefore, is not only a drink, but also the flavor of memories, of tranquility and of a very unique Hanoi.
