China Tea Network News: There are two osmanthus trees in the yard, lush and leafy, forming a shady canopy. Every golden autumn, delicate golden-yellow buds bloom on the branches. Upon entering the yard, a refreshing fragrance wafts through the air, soothing the heart and lungs. I find this scent to be the most subtle among all floral aromas. Whenever I stand, sit, lie, or stroll under the osmanthus trees, gazing at the blue sky and white clouds while breathing in the osmanthus fragrance, my worries vanish, and I truly feel a sense of forgetting all honors and disgraces!
Once, during the peak bloom of the osmanthus flowers, I was sitting under the tree reading and sipping tea. A gentle breeze passed by, shaking down a shower of osmanthus petals. Unnoticed, a few petals fell into my tea cup. I casually picked up the cup and took a sip; the delicate fragrance of the osmanthus blended with the mellow taste of the fine tea, leaving a delightful aroma on my lips and teeth, creating an endless aftertaste.
At that moment, a whimsical idea struck me: since osmanthus petals in tea tasted so wonderful, what if I mixed osmanthus tea leaves together and stored them for future leisurely enjoyment? Wouldn't that preserve the exquisite flavor? So, I gathered several handfuls of petals and mixed them with the remaining half jar of premium tea leaves, sealed the lid tightly, and stored it. Soon after, the osmanthus flowers withered. Eager to continue enjoying the delightful drink, I opened the jar满怀欣喜地, only to find: the osmanthus petals had rotted, and the tea leaves had molded. Instead of a pleasant fragrance, I was met with an indescribable odd smell! I had wasted both the osmanthus flowers and ruined the premium tea.
My regret at that moment was可想而知: This shows that in handling any matter, if one only has good intentions and desires without a scientific attitude and correct methods, even good deeds can end badly. When my spouse learned about this, they said I was both scientifically ignorant and conceited, unwilling to seek advice diligently. I could only admit my mistake. The following year, when the osmanthus flowers bloomed abundantly again, my spouse, along with neighbors, first spread large pieces of woven cloth on the ground, then shook the trees to gather the fallen petals. After washing and cleaning them, they sun-dried the osmanthus petals thoroughly, stored them properly, and later either blended them into tea for brewing or sprinkled them into snacks for consumption. They even shared them with friends and relatives, bringing endless joy and satisfaction to all!
As for me, I not only learned the method of making osmanthus tea but also gained many insights from the experience.