The Roles of Tea in Life and Around the World
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Tea is a year-round beverage. From morning, noon, and night, tea is a staple in a lot of homes. Additionally, tea can have a special meaning in different cultures or families. It could have a special place in your traditions and routines too.
Let’s look at the wide variety of times tea comes into play:
Holidays
The holidays are a great time for tea. At the first signs of fall, chai tea and chai tea lattes become very popular. The strong aroma and the amazing taste are often referenced as ‘fall in a cup.’ Peppermint teas and other festive teas are favorites during the winter months as well. Check your grocer for a list of flavor-infused teas that are designed for the holidays.
Health
The medicinal properties of tea have gone back thousands of years. From the healing properties of green tea to the health benefits of oxidized teas like black tea, there are many ways to use tea to overcome illness. A common use of hot tea is blended with honey and lemon to ease the effects of colds and flu. Some teas, like Chamomile, help aid in sleep, and dandelion tea helps with digestive issues.
Celebrations
From sitting on the front porch to boating on the lake, tea is a beverage used for celebrating summer and other times of the year. Whether you like your tea infused with fruit combinations, like lemonade or berry extracts, or just simple iced tea, you can be assured your celebrations will be better with a tall glass of tea.
Meal Time
Breakfast time is generally a great time for tea. The caffeine and other properties carry the same effect of coffee. Those who find coffee bitter or too strong, usually find tea to be a milder way to get the energy they need to start the day. Midday tea, iced or hot, is a great mood booster and thirst quencher. Evening tea is a wonderful way to get your body ready for bed. No matter the meal or the intended effect, there is a style of tea perfect for your needs.
Traditions
In some cultures, serving tea is part of a tradition. Elaborate services are conducted by trained men and women. In the Geisha culture, tea service is part of their allure and expectations. Also in Japan, there is a traditional tea ceremony called Chado (Way of Tea); the ceremony is very spiritual, and every movement from making the tea to serving the tea is performed in a specific way. In China, there is the gongfu ceremony which focuses on the ritual of preparing and presenting tea.
In more relaxed cultures, tea may be a staple tradition in the home with meals or symbolize an important part of the day, such as high tea in Great Britain. Great Britain (as part of the British Empire) passed on their style of tea ceremony/high tea all over the world. Many of those traditions remain in use today, although the countries have gained their independence.
Marketing
Tea is big business and business is good. Many growers of tea have been in the business for generations. Their unique flavors are a representation of their region and personal growth practices. In America, tea has become very popular. Flavored infused tea beverages are readily available for immediate use. Everything from Kombucha to Arnold Palmer’s – a drink made from mixing lemonade and tea – is available ready to serve straight from your grocer.
Conclusion
Hot or cold, tea is great any time of the year, and no matter what your preference, there is a tea beverage waiting for you.
Loving Life — The Reboot!
Dominique
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23 Comments
aimee amala
Loved reading this informative piece. As a true Brit, tea is so important in our culture. I drink atleast four cups a day! I love chinese oolong tea too. Thanks for sharing.
Dr.Amrita Basu
A big fan of tea I all its forms.Theres something about green tea though which makes me very happy.
Sondra Barker
I love drinking tea! The history behind drinking tea is so rich and I love how there is tea out there for every season and occasion! My favorite is definitely peach green tea.
Jaime Brainerd
Hi Dominique, I love tea, too. I never really thought that much about it though. I didn’t realize tea has so many connections. I mostly drink it in the mornings and when I want to warm up in the winter or cool down in the summer. Thank you for sharing. Sending lots of love and gratitude. Jaime
Martha
Tea is my favorite go to drink! I’ve never been a coffee drinker but enjoy a cup lf hot tea for breakfast with toast and honey. Tea with a few berries
is delicious also. I enjoyed reading about the traditions of tea and health benefits.
John
Loving this! I love my tea, at least 4 cups a day man. Trying to keep off the biscuits though!! I like an Earl Grey, Green and occasionally a peppermint.
Dipika Singh
I love different flavours in my tea and these are some amazing options to try with.
Ruchi Verma
I swear, tea is like a tradition especially in India, we just need it to start our day!!
Fransic verso
Informative post, after reading this, I would like to drink more tea haha. I’m more of coffee person and never drink tea for a while now haha.
Marjie Mare
We love tea and I am going to share your post with my sister who is a tea lover just like me.
Alita Pacio
Teas are everywhere here in Japan. I come to love green tea. It’s one of the reasons Japanese are healthy people. And you are right with these roles.
Knycx Journeying
Lots of great benefits and thanks for your ideas, I love tea and I drink it on a daily basis. – Knycx journeying
Kenneth
Not sure if I commented or its just the same as what I have read before that I bookmarked as tea university here as one of the books, thanks for the share!
mel
I just love tea regardless of the occasion. It’s nice to know the roles of tea from around the world, great post
Candle
I love learning about tea. When I lived in the Middle East I was so amazed how tea was a part of their culture. It was through tea people talked and spent time together. Tea is a lifestyle.
Dominique
I am learning about the role it plays in other cultures. Tea always played a role in my life as a Southern woman. I just think it’s fascinating! Thanks for reading!
Khushboo
I love drinking different varieties of tea. Drinking tea is so refreshing
siennylovesdrawing
love this & enjoy my read about tea here as Im a tea lover myself. leart much more about tea from my read here. cheers, siennylovesdrawing
My Kitchen
I am one of those people who only drink tea in the morning and in order to keep warm. It’s so great to see that it has so many connections.
Michele
I always wanted to be a tea person. Do you have a tea you would recommend to someone who wants to drink tea, but is a little picky when it comes to taste?
Dominique
I love black tea myself but I also enjoy hibiscus tea. It’s an herbal tea. Maybe it would work for you.
theperfectcurry
Tea is really close to my heart and soul as a Sri Lankan. Good old black tea with morning and afternoon is what I grew up with. Love your post
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