THERAPTEA

Tea For Mental Health Beautifully Served

Tea was thought of as a medicinal drink until the late sixth century. Some studies suggest that tea is comforting and that the actual tea-making ritual, whether for yourself or someone else, that is relaxing.

Sustainable? Stimulant? or Health?

Tea was thought of as a medicinal drink until the late sixth century. During the T’ang dynasty between the seventh to tenth centuries, tea drinking was particularly popular. Different preparations emerged, with increasing oxidation producing darker teas ranging from white to green to black. Some studies suggest that tea is comforting and that the actual tea-making ritual, whether for yourself or someone else, that is relaxing. Tea also contains the amino acid L-theanine, which promotes relaxation. In this sense, tea is unique in that the combination of caffeine and L-theanine means it may promote a sense of mindful alertness. Studies have found that some teas may help with cancer, heart disease, and diabetes; encourage weight loss; lower cholesterol, and bring about mental alertness. Tea also appears to have antimicrobial qualities.

Tea Culture

The truth is, seeing tea as a stimulant or a relaxant is based on two completely different approaches: under the purely physical approach, tea much rather is a stimulant than a relaxant, mainly due to its natural content of theine. Tea therapy is the ancient Chinese medicinal practice of using tea and tisanes as remedies for many ills and ailments. What does tea symbolize? It is a very important ritual that has a lot of meaning within the culture. The tea ceremony represents purity, tranquillity, respect, and harmony and a lot of preparation goes into this important event. What is Buddhist about the tea ceremony? Zen Buddhism is the primary influence in the conceptualization of the tea ceremony. … The general aspect of the tea ceremony involves harmony, purity, tranquility, and respect. It also emphasizes simplicity and naturalness. These two qualities give the tea ceremony a simple and quiet appearance. What does tea symbolize in literature? “For Austen and those who read her novels, tea is linked with sophistication and polite social encounters, something keenly reflected in her literature.” … For Austen and those who read her novels, tea is linked with sophistication and polite social encounters, something keenly reflected in her literature.

World Tea Rituals

Chinese Cha-Dao – For Chinese people, tea is a way of life. The country’s diverse climates have given rise to hundreds of different varieties of tea, such as Oolong, Jasmine, pu-erh (fermented tea), and Gunpowder. The art of making tea, or Cha Dao, is closely linked to Chinese philosophies of balance and harmony and is ritualized in the gong fu ceremony. Moroccan Mint Tea – Touareg tea or Moroccan mint tea is a major part of North African culture. A heavily sweetened mixture of green tea and mint leaves is served in small glasses. It is poured into these from a height, along with nuts and sweets. English Afternoon Tea – No country is so closely connected to tea as England. It’s as synonymous with British culture as fish and chips or the royal family. From dainty afternoon teas to heartier brews, it certainly is a favorite beverage. Tea was first introduced by the Dutch East India Company in the mid-1600s, though it was initially expensive. Thai Iced Tea – In Thailand, perhaps the most famous brew is the delicious Thai iced tea or cha-yen. Made from strongly brewed black Ceylon tea, it is blended with condensed milk and sugar before being served over ice. Various flavours or spices are added. These can include orange blossom, cinnamon, star anise, liquorice, and ground tamarind. Russian Samovars – Trade along the Silk Road brought tea to Russia in the 17th century, but it was only in the 1800s that it became widely available to everyone. Today, Russian tea, or zavarka, is synonymous with the samovar. A tall urn is used to boil water, while a teapot containing the zavarka, highly concentrated black tea, sits atop it. Small amounts of the tea are poured into cups and diluted with the water from the samovar. It can also be flavoured with lemon, sugar, honey, or other herbs. Much like in Morocco, tea and hospitality are closely connected in Russia. It is still considered polite to offer a guest a cup when they enter your home.

Tea Culture Are Worldwide

Tibetan Butter Tea – While most people may not associate butter with tea, the high, cold altitudes of the Himalayas have given rise to the high-fat, energy-boosting tradition of butter tea, or Po cha. Ideal for both keeping you warm and cleansing your body, the tea is made with pu-erh tea cakes that are crumbled into hot water and boiled for several hours. Indian Chai – India is the world’s largest producer and the largest consumer of tea. The sweet milky chai is practically a national drink. While tea is certainly a part of everyday life in India, it never developed into elaborate rituals lie in China or Japan. Tea stalls are dotted across Indian streets, and the chai wallahs prepare black tea with milk, sugar, and spices such as cardamom, fennel, cinnamon, and cloves. Attaya: The African Tea Ceremony – In West Africa, the tea ceremony goes by the name ‘attaya’, and is anything but formal. In fact, tea culture in the continent’s western nations of Gambia, Mauritania, and Senegal are the polar opposite of Japan’s ceremonies. Every attaya consists of three rounds of tea drinking. The first stage is bitter, representing the difficulties of growing and early life; the second stage is sweeter, representing mid-life, love, and family, and the third stage is the sweetest to symbolize the sweetness of old age. Japanese Tea Ceremony – Heavily influenced by Zen Buddhism, the elaborate traditional Japanese chanoyu tea ceremony involves ritualized preparation, presentation, and consumption of tea. Matcha powder, made of ground green tea leaves, is used to brew a frothy, ethereal tea.

Iranian Teahouses – Brewed over a samovar, Iranian tea is served very strongly. Instead of adding sugar to the drink, you’re expected to place a sugar cube between your front teeth and drink the tea through it. The drink may also be accompanied by a bright yellow rock candy, called nabat, that may be dissolved in the tea. Argentinian Yerba Mate – Even though the iconic Argentinian yerba mate (pronounced ma-tay) isn’t really tea, it’s also a way of life. A caffeine-infused drink made from the leaves of the local yerba mate plant, this herbal tea is meant to be sipped through a metal straw called bombilla. However, it can be considered an insult to the brewing abilities of its maker if you stir the tea with the bombilla. Drunk throughout the day, it is said to have anti-oxidants and cholesterol-lowering properties. Taiwanese Bubble Tea – A more modern invention, Taiwanese bubble tea is made with iced tea (usually black, green, jasmine, or oolong) which is mixed with powdered milk and sugar syrup. The characteristic bubbles are actually small balls of tapioca, creating a chewy treat. Bubble tea was created in 1988 at the Chun Shui Tang teahouse when Lin Hsiu Hui dropped some tapioca balls from her fen yuan dessert into her iced tea. A trend was born, and the teahouse soon began selling “bubble tea”. It has since spread internationally, gaining appreciation across Asia, Europe, and the United States Africa Tea – Africa is home to an amazing array of diverse cultures, but one thing they all have in common is an appreciation for tea. Tea plays a central role in social rituals across the continent, whether served as a refreshment to accompany meals or offered as a show of hospitality to guests. Chai (black tea with milk and spices) is popular in East Africa. Red Bush or Rooibos (an herbal tea) reigns supreme in Southern Africa, In the world of tea, South Africa is primarily known for its rooibos herbal teas. Dutch for “red bush,” rooibos is grown and harvested almost exclusively in South Africa, where it is a popular local beverage. Bisap is also known as Kirkade, made from hibiscus, is a favorite in West and North Africa. Mint tea is widely consumed in North and West Africa alike.