A Good Tea Time

The aesthetics surrounding tea drinking is quite impressive since tea is commonly consumed at social gatherings and events like in art galleries and museums. Tea ceremonies differ among countries. For example in Japan this ritual is very spiritual and it needs a lot of experience just to prepare it. This is part of their culture that I can say is one of the most beautiful customs that I have ever seen. You can have a little research on the Internet to find out how this tea ceremony or Way of Tea is done.

All tea comes from the Camellia sinensis plant. Processing the fresh leaves of the tea plant establishes the variations of tea family – white tea, green tea, black tea or oolong tea. Which is better for a person strongly depends on the drinker's preferences and tastes.

White tea is the rarest tea that you can imagine. The process is quite delicate since they only use leaf tips and buds of the tea plant and the tea leaves. White tea is not allowed to oxidize because the leaves are steamed and can be dried easily. Green tea is among the favorites, it has the medicinal benefits that most Chinese tend to believe. Black tea has the strongest taste and often is consumed in Chinese restaurants after every meal as it helps with slow food digestion. Oolong tea tastes between the green and black teas because the leaves are only partially oxidized.

The temperature of your water is essential when you want the perfect tea brewing. Make sure also that your cast iron tea kettle is clean and free of any dirt and rust. If this is your first time to prepare tea then you must keep in mind the general rule: the more oxidized the tea, the hotter the water should be. For water temperature and steeping time keep in mind these guidelines:

First fill your cast iron kettle with fresh and clean water then allow it to boil in your stove. Rinse your cast iron tea pots and tea cups with the hot water, so the pots will absorb the heat from the boiling water. Then discard the water in the teapot and get your tea. By means of a tea infuser basket or tea filter, add 2 grams of tea per cup to the pot. Then pour your brewed tea on your tea cups, you can add a little amount of honey and milk for additional sweetness.

Tea drinking is indeed the best alternative for your regular beverage. Whether you want it hot or cold strongly depends on your preferences. Tea also helps you focus especially if you are working and you are always sitting in front of your computer. Tea gives you a soothing feeling and gets rid of those stressful and anxiety moods that you might have. Certainly there is nothing more delightful than tea as a preferred beverage!

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