By CAM LUCADOU-WELLS
MANY of the world’s problems could be dissolved in a cup of tea.
At least it could take your mind off life’s stresses as well as lower cholesterol, blood pressure, improve indigestion and reduce diabetes says Milan Tea House owner Wendy Wong.
Some of Melbourne’s fabled coffee drinkers have been converted to Ms Wong’s imported Chinese white, green and black teas in her serene shop which is tucked away in an alley near Springvale Central.
“When I came to Melbourne, I realised they don’t have a real tea shop,” Ms Wong said.
“I dreamed many years to open a shop that does it properly.”
The store gets its name from a perfumed yellow flower. The wallpapers, the wood-carved cabinets, traditional music, tea sets and jade ornaments evoke suitably Eastern ambience.
In quiet ritual, Ms Wong pours pu-erh tea from China’s cool, mountainous Yunnan province. This region has a 1700-year history in tea.
Its ripe variety – as opposed to its raw form – is fermented. Its dark, woody leaves produce a deep red, earthy-tasting aromatic tea.
It’s infused several times in a hand-made, purple clay teapot. The clay’s high-porosity allows for the tea to “breathe”. Flavour builds in the pots over many years.
Ms Wong grew up in the “gourmet tea centre” of Guangzhou, China. It’s become her staple three times a day.
She preaches the tea’s social and therapeutic value served in tiny cups. How it’s a healthier mood-changer than the West’s popular clutch, alcohol.
“Just with one cup, the tea helps calm you down. When you finish the pot, you will clear your mind.
“Then you can solve your problems.”
For the uninitiated, the tea house is offering $3 tea tastings this Saturday, 2 April, and Sunday 3 April.
Milan Tea House is open six days a week, except Tuesdays, from 10.30am to 6pm at 33d Buckingham Avenue, Springvale. Look for the yellow flag.
Phone 9540 3260 or 0424 467 395.
Wendy Wong, owner of Milan Tea House, demonstrates the artful pouring of tea.
