Darjeeling Tea in Furano

Me dressed in kimono at Kazuko Araki's home in Furano.

I was first introduced to Darjeeling tea while I was working as an English conversation teacher in Furano, Japan. After the last class of the day was over, the office staff would sometimes head over to Woody Cafe, a second-floor walk-up coffee shop. The seating area couldn't have been more than 200 square feet, with a little bar in front of the kitchen. There the "master" would stand, slowly peeling cucumbers into pleasing designs, and listening to a jazz LP from his extensive collection.

We would seat ourselves, and the waitress would come to our table for our beverage orders, asking "O-nomimono wa?" After fumbling through the Japanese pronunciation of Darjeeling, which comes out something like DAR-U-GEE-RING, I would be presented with an expensive cup of the musky brew. Expensive in two senses –– the cost of a single cup of tea was ¥400 –– somewhere around $4.00 -- and it was served in an expensive Wedgwood or Noritake cup and saucer.

With its musky grape-like flavor, Darjeeling soon became my favorite tea, and I'm still drinking it now that I'm back home. Although Darjeeling is available from Peet's and other specialty merchants, it can sometimes be difficult to find on the supermarket shelf. In California try Raley's supermarkets, and look for Twining's brand in the bright purple box. You won't be disappointed.