the house

the blend made by what was left at the bottom of three tins and a fourth no one remembers buying. mostly assam, possibly some keemun, definitely a thumb of something with bergamot in it. the tin says nothing. the lid does not close properly.

this is the tea offered to a visitor when one cannot remember what they like. it does not need to be remarkable. it is the tea of the early hour and of the late one both. the custodian brewed it once for a stranger who did not say thank you and they drank three cups.

it works. it has always worked. it works because no one has ever decided exactly what it is. for a blend with more intention, see the one kept aside for tuesdays.