Sipping on History - The Ritual of Tea Drinking

Historically speaking, the tea-drinking ritual is said to have originated in China. Made famous by Buddhist Monks as early as the 7th century, it was considered to aid their meditation, alertness, and overall well-being.

The first written evidence travels back to the Han Dynasty. The initial concept of tea was infused with the spiritual connotations of Buddhism, Taoism, and Confucianism

“Lu Yu created the first tractate in tea, the Cha Jing (茶经). It comprised all information on growing, processing, serving, and tasting tea, available at that moment. Lu Yu was an avid tea lover himself. He saw the act of preparing, serving, and tasting tea as a representation of the universal harmony that organized and moved the world. However, he also spoke about tea drinking as a form of a journey inwards, a return to a man’s true nature.” 

(Source: https://pathofcha.com/blogs/all-about-tea/tea-ritual-drinking-tea-around-the-world)

An artistic and cultural pursuit, tea is a beverage that helps you unwind and stay rejuvenated at the same time. After China, many civilizations developed ceremonies for respecting tea and basking in its soothing benefits. Imagine the amount of tea consumed in India, just in our homes on a regular day, and yet it is not the top-most tea-drinking country in the world. The art of tea drinking is indeed a global phenomenon.

The Royal Tea Time:

Afternoon tea is not just a major part of British food tradition but also an extremely important part of the royal household - Buckingham Palace.

The late Queen, along with the Dukes and the Duchesses in the British Royal family relished their age-old tradition with great passion. 

Fun fact - The Royal Tea Drinking Ceremony would include tea being served on a three-tiered cake stand, along with sandwiches (all with the crusts off of course), scones, and a variety of sweet pastries and cakes. According to the words of a royal butler, Queen Elizabeth used to hold her afternoon teas daily, and her favorites included Assam and Earl Grey Tea.

Teaware and Ceramics:

Seen here: Marbled Tea Pot and tumblers

We all enjoy our teas in our favourite ceramic cups and mugs but when did teaware actually become a separate set of drinkware and serveware?

Tea and drinking habits underwent a major cultural change during the time of the Ming Dynasty. Loose-leaf tea became popular, the expensive golden and silver teaware was replaced by more natural and earthy materials made of clay, stone, and wood. The clay teapots and porcelain “lidded cups” gained popularity. The approach shifted to being more one with nature, more regular and natural. 

From noisy ceremonies to more intimate corners, it transformed from being a status symbol to becoming a journey that helped people to look within.

THE RITUAL OF TEA DRINKING:

How do you create your own ritual that involves all senses?

• Start with choosing cups and tea ware or a brewing set of your choice (pieces that hold meaning for you). We suggest you also invest in a teapot
• Then, choose your tea (we will help you with a list)
• Create your special cozy tea-drinking corner, one that transforms your tea ritual into a sacred time.
• Brew your chosen tea blend right, to ensure optimal flavor
• Create a playlist of songs that help you relax
• Pay attention to the sights, sounds, smells and touch of the process
• Lastly, choose your preferred time of the day and set aside moments for this ritual

Take this time to reconnect with yourself or pick up a relaxing activity (that you might have procrastinated on) like reading, writing, knitting, etc.

Types of Teas:

There are many types of teas you can choose, from varied locations, and of various kinds. But here are the bestselling picks-

• Chamomile: Terrible sleep cycle? This relaxes you right into sleep.
• Green Tea: Boosts immunity, helps reduce weight and acne, treats allergies and bloating
• Earl Grey Tea: Boosts energy and metabolism, fights depression and cholesterol
• Black Tea: Treats anxiety and headaches. Helps in weight loss.
• Hibiscus Tea: Best for high blood pressure and respiratory issues.
• Matcha: For the health-conscious out there, this helps in burning belly fat and works as a detoxifier.
• Blue Pea Tea: High antioxidant content, helps ensure skin and hair health, promotes weight loss, and reduces blood sugar levels.
• White Tea: Helps to reduce fatigue and stress. Also a detoxifier.
• Chai: The traditional OG helps in cold and is a good boost to your immune system

Great for mind, body, and soul, Tea has been around for a long time, traveling from Japan to Turkey. Every country has its own tea-drinking ritual and a personal relationship with this beverage. It’s like that cousin who’s been all over the world and is loved by everyone. It’s almost family.

So here’s raising a toast to the drink that celebrates life and the art of slowing down (and savoring it in just the right ceramics) Be it welcoming guests, catching up with friends and family, or simply having some me-time, Tea is always there - your reliable companion throughout. Now that you know the story, fancy a sip?