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Quality tea leaves left unpicked
An irksome earthquake has left roughly 20,000 hectares of tea fields, bursting with fresh tea leaves, abandoned as the Chinese workers of Mingshan county go instead to rebuild their homes. Normally tens of thousands of workers gather during the prime picking season (March to May) to pick the best quality leaves, however, a sudden quake in April meant that the workforce was understandably preoccupied with the destructive fallout. Around 20% of the crop has been lost (due to being left at the mercy of frost rather than the seismic activity) and a party leader from a Mingshan town estimates that it will take two months for local life to return…
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Afternoon Tea at the Dorchester
Every now and then we leave the dim recesses of the Shed and sally forth to plush hotels where the tea is always greener. Zoe checked out the green tea on offer at the Dorchester and wow! Although they left the leaves steeped in the pot in each case, which meant that the second cup came out a tad stewed. Nevertheless we give the Dorchester a sublime Shed score of 8/10 for sheer opulence and nice cakes.
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Every 2nd and 4th Sunday at Chiswick Food and Drink Market
We’re bringing the Shed to Duke’s Meadow on the second and fourth Sunday of every month!! 10am until 2pm: not to be missed for all the tea in China… How to get there by car: turn off the A316 into Riverside Drive, then left into Alexanda Gardens and follow this to Market Drive, the Car Park in the DMCA can be used on Sunday (small) or use the parking in Edensor Road. Access to the Market is via park gates in Edensor Road, Chiswick W4.