I think this chap is drinking 'Leung Cha' - a Chinese medicinal tea, a cure-all for anything from indigestion to headache. Tastes awful, like any good medicine, so better downed in one with a sweet or cookie to hand ready to take the taste away. The stallholder has placed these conveniently near the teacups .
I searched the internet for an adjective that best describes the taste, one site lists more than 100. "awful" is a very good match in spirit and substance, partly because "foo" in Cantonese can also mean sorrow or hardship while drinking it. I had a few many years ago but can't remember for what illness. The price was the same so I preferred their other drink - sweetened chrysanthemum tea. I wonder if these shops remain popular today.
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Food Stand
I think this chap is drinking 'Leung Cha' - a Chinese medicinal tea, a cure-all for anything from indigestion to headache. Tastes awful, like any good medicine, so better downed in one with a sweet or cookie to hand ready to take the taste away. The stallholder has placed these conveniently near the teacups .
H.
I searched the internet for
I searched the internet for an adjective that best describes the taste, one site lists more than 100. "awful" is a very good match in spirit and substance, partly because "foo" in Cantonese can also mean sorrow or hardship while drinking it. I had a few many years ago but can't remember for what illness. The price was the same so I preferred their other drink - sweetened chrysanthemum tea. I wonder if these shops remain popular today.
Yes, the leung cha shops are
Yes, the leung cha shops are still popular, with a big shiny urn or two on the counter. Here's a photo of one in Central:
http://static.apple.nextmedia.com/images/apple-photos/apple_sub/20120915...
It appeared in the article about Gwulo at Apple Daily a few years back:
http://hk.apple.nextmedia.com/supplement/culture/art/20120915/18016673
Regards David