Two specific experiences made me curious about the wider world of tea.
I grew up enjoying a cup of Lipton tea with milk and sugar. Sometimes, we’d have Tetley tea at a relative’s house. As far as I knew, tea always came in tea bags with very small, broken leaves.
I also assumed almost everyone drank tea with milk unless they were drinking iced tea. Indeed, these styles of tea are great for making a hearty, malty cup of tea good with milk.
Tiny Tins of Loose Leaf Tea
Then, one day (many decades ago) someone gave my mom a sampler set of loose leaf tea. Each little, bright canister was a different color and contained a variety of Twinings loose leaf tea. The teas were mainly flavored.
That’s when I realized tea could come loose, in bigger bits, and in a wider range of flavors. The seed of an idea was planted.
I understood there was a wider world of tea beyond what was usually in our cupboard.
Interestingly, I remember the impression these tins of loose-leaf tea made on me. But, I don’t remember the taste of the tea they contained. Maybe I was too busy fighting with my nemeses–the tea egg strainer and the tea infuser shaped like a perforated spoon. (LOL) Those things have always irritated me. They seemed determined to break my nails. And, the tea always wants to escape out the sides! I still feel strongly about them. I even made a short video offering tips for choosing tea infusers. Choose what YOU enjoy using, of course. But–spoiler alert–I recommend others.
Another Glimpse at Wider World
By contrast, I vividly remember the first time I was out for dinner and tasted a tea with a delightful flavor. It didn’t taste like Lipton and wasn’t flavored. I didn’t have the language for it at the time, but I was noticing a tea that wasn’t malty and brisk. Instead, it was floral and silky. It was a delicious Darjeeling. It was this cup of tea that more firmly put me on the very long path of exploring the wider world of tea.
I still love Darjeeling tea–both first and second flushes. I love it hot and iced. My love of tea and desire to connect with other tea lovers inspired me to first become @teainfusiast on Instagram, then to start this blog and so on.
Coincidentally, the first time I tried and loved a sparkling tea was a Darjeeling at 29B Teahouse in New York City. That teahouse is no longer open, but the folks who ran it–Tea Dealers–still sell tea and teaware.
I have yet to recreate a sparkling Darjeeling quite as amazing as that one, but it inspired me to start making my own sparkling teas at home. And, I’ve had great luck with other teas. I think I’m closing in on a great sparkling Darjeeling, too! (I’ve shared tips for making sparkling tea in this post. There’s a photo of that 29B Darjeeling there, too!)
Do you remember a specific tea that alerted you to the wider world of tea?
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4 replies on “The Wider World of Tea”
Traci – I can’t tell you how much I enjoyed your facilitation today! It meant so much to me. I had another cup of tea later in the day, trying to relive your wonderful guidance. I have a ways to go – but thanks to you, my tea drinking has taken on new meaning. I am so appreciative. Thank you again.
I am very touched by your kind words and that you have taken the time to share them with me. Thank you, Myra. I’m so glad the tea meditation resonated with you. You’ve made me consider making a recording of that practice. (I have a few meditation recordings on my YouTube channel.) But, I don’t have recordings of those like I did for Green Island there. If you would like to read more about mindful tea, you might enjoy my blog post “What is Mindful Tea?” With care, Traci
I, too, always drank tea out of little packages from the grocery store. Then, one day, my dad brought home some Formosa Oolong from Harney Teas, and I realized what I was missing. The tea that got me over the top, though, was a Margaret’s Hope First Flush Darjeeling a friend picked up for me in a tea shop in Glasgow. I suddenly realized the beautiful possibilities of loose leaf tea and the wondrous taste, smell, and total experience of a pot of fine tea. I haven’t looked back since.
That’s lovely, Miriam. Thank you so much for sharing your tea story! So many teas to inspire. With care, Traci