The ritual of tea

The ritual of tea

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Without us even realising it we participate in rituals every day. Some of these rituals are linked to our faith or culture, some to our family but there are a few more unifying than sipping a cup of tea.

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The Chinese were the first to discover the tea leaf and they regarded it as a synonym for life. Before it became wildly consumed there, the humble leaf was considered a medicinal staple thought to successfully treat illnesses and promote long life and vitality.

Since the beginning of the Ming dynasty, teahouses have been popping up all over the country and now people off all ages frequent these tea sanctuaries at all hours of the day or night to drink tea and simply enjoy each others company . Now many years later tea is the second most consumed drink in the world after water and it is revered as much more than a mere beverage.

Whether you are socialising with a strongly brewed anise-flavoured red tea in Tailand or welcoming your guests with a bright mint tea in Morokko or just sipping an earl grey tea out of a porcelain cup in England, drinking tea has been known to soothe a broken heart, warm you when you are cold or just cool you when you are feeling hot. It just provides the opportunity to connect with those you love, respect and treasure.

My mother loves to serve tea out of her white porcelain cups with the gold lining, we always feel so special she will also slip a biscuit onto the saucer as an extra measure of love. I remember that we have been doing that since I was in primary school. Our ritual after church on Sundays. Now it still happens when we go to visit her.

In a busy world where everything is moving at such an incredible pace, the respite of brewing and drinking a cup of tea with your family and friends reduces stress and brings you instant comfort. The simple act of brewing, sipping and savouring tea leaves in a cup elevates us above the chaos of live today. Filling you with flavour calm and vitality, the tea ritual is a vehicle for both inner peace and health and interpersonal connection and happiness.

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Futhermore, establishing a tea ritual can help your children cope more effectively with stress throughout their life. Use your granny's cups or teapot to add a note of nostalgia or choose your own set that is reserved just for your family.

Now send out a loving call:" Anyone for tea?" and wait for your guests to arrive. Tea, and family time, is being served.

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