“When you do it this way,” Rose says “the flavour is stronger.”
She turns the freshly peeled ginger root to show me a cross-section, then grates it directly into a tea pot. The kettle comes to a boil and she fills the pot, adding green tea as well. The juice of 2 fresh lemons and a dash of cinnamon go into our china mugs as we wait for the ginger to steep. Rose offered to make fresh ginger tea instead of coffee, and I sense this will be a treat compared to store-bought bags.
Lemon ginger tea at Latino’s in Guelph was a favourite treat for me and my girls years ago. Now, as Rose pours and the flavours blend, the familiar scent wafts enticingly, evoking warm memories. I close my eyes a moment, just to breathe it in. Lovely… and delicious. We finish the pot, sipping slowly and savouring it all.
This is an afternoon off for me, at my partner’s kind suggestion. A drive in the country, tour of Julia’s flower beds and pond. Relaxed conversation in the studio, surrounded by Rose’s paintings and sculpture. The company of a trio of sociable Chinese Crested dogs (whom I can’t tell apart unless they have different jackets on). Julia’s savoury cabbage rolls, and a generous mug of ginger tea.
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