As one of the most consumed drinks in the world, tea has become an important element of cultures across the world. Each of these cultures is unique in its own way, whether it is in terms of their physical appearance or the practices they follow. With such diversity on display, why should tea be left behind? Every culture across the world has evolved different ways of making this drink and in the process, have attached different meanings to it. In fact, the simple process of tea making has given rise to intricate traditions that are unique and wonderful in their own way. So sit back and let us take you on a trip around the world as we explore tea traditions and experience the tea history of the world!
Gong-Fu Ceremony, China
Where else could we start this journey than in one of the oldest tea-drinking nations of the world? The art of tea making or Cha-Dao, is intricately linked to aspects of Chinese philosophy, mainly balance and harmony. The entire process is truly a performance and a very intricate one too, involving a large tea tray filled with a teapot, cups, saucers, a strainer, a pair of tongs and tea towels. The procedure is a long one, with precise movements according to rituals that date back centuries. There are even a special set of ‘scent cup’ that are used purely to smell, but not drink, the tea. Once this is done, guests are served the tea in cups that they must hold with both hands. It must be drunk slowly to savour the taste and once the cup is empty, it must be held on so that they can enjoy the lingering aroma of the tea. This is one tea ceremony you must experience in your lifetime!
Chanoyu Ceremony, Japan
Across the sea from China is another nation where tea takes on a sacred identity. The tea ceremonies of Japan are famous all over the world and reflect the country’s iconic attention to detail and a sense of traditional honour. These ceremonies are usually held in teahouses that are present all over the country and contain rituals that detail even minute aspects such as the cleaning of the utensils and the flower arrangements in the room where the tea is prepared and served. Green tea leaves are dried and powdered to create matcha powder, which is added to hot water and frothed using a bamboo whisk to create a tea that is sure to be one of the most relaxing beverages you have ever had. A must-try the next time you visit the country!
Afternoon Tea, England
From the original drinkers of tea to the country most associated with it in the West; our journey takes us to England now and the concept of afternoon tea. It is said that this addition to the tea culture of the world came up in 1840 when Anna, the seventh Duchess of Bedford found the gap between lunch and dinner too long to go without eating anything. Thus, the concept of afternoon tea came about where tea was served with sandwiches and scones, a simple, light meal that would keep one going till dinnertime. Earl Grey or English Breakfast tea is usually served during this time and while the tradition originally began in England, it is now a part of many other former British colonies such as New Zealand. Great ideas really do come out of a need for food!
Butter Tea, Tibet
If you visited the high mountains of Tibet or even the surround regions such as Ladakh, you’d be greeted in every home with a hot, soup-like beverage that would warm you up immediately. Po cha, or Tibetan butter tea, is made using a mixture of tea leaves, yak butter and salt. Preparations to make the tea start much before it is actually served. A portion of a brick of tea leaves from Pemagul in Tibet is first dissolved in water and boiled for hours to make a mixture called chaku, which is stored till the tea is to be made. When necessary, the chaku is churned along with yak butter and salt for a few minutes before being served. Most foreigners tend to find the tea strong and bitter when they first encounter it but as with many things in life, if you give it a chance, you will definitely come to like it as the warmth of the tea spreads throughout your body!
If you visited the high mountains of Tibet or even the surround regions such as Ladakh, you’d be greeted in every home with a hot, soup-like beverage that would warm you up immediately. Po cha, or Tibetan butter tea, is made using a mixture of tea leaves, yak butter and salt. Preparations to make the tea start much before it is actually served. A portion of a brick of tea leaves from Pemagul in Tibet is first dissolved in water and boiled for hours to make a mixture called chaku, which is stored till the tea is to be made. When necessary, the chaku is churned along with yak butter and salt for a few minutes before being served. Most foreigners tend to find the tea strong and bitter when they first encounter it but as with many things in life, if you give it a chance, you will definitely come to like it as the warmth of the tea spreads throughout your body!
Mint Green Tea, Morocco
We end our journey with a visit to Morocco, where guests once again are served with a very special form of tea that carries the traditions of its people. Moroccan mint tea is a speciality in the Maghreb area of North Africa and is prepared by steeping green tea with spearmint leaves before being served in small glasses with lots of sugar. Every guest is served three glasses of tea, each with their own meaning, making it extremely rude to refuse even one of them. The first glass is meant to be ‘as gentle as life’ due to the fact that the tea has not had enough time to steep, leaving the flavour to be light and cooling. The second is meant to be ‘as strong as love’ given that the tea has reached the right amount of steeping to release its full flavour. The third is meant to be ‘as bitter as death’ since the tea has now seeped too long and the leaves have turned the tea bitter. This tradition is one that continues to this day and is a reminder of the stories that tea can tell.
Making and drinking tea is not as easy as brewing a cup on your stove, clearly. Every country has its own meanings attached to this beverage and it is these traditions that make tea such a popular beverage. So go exploring and let us know in the comments below if you’ve found any other interesting traditions!
