I love talking about tea! It’s one of the reasons that I enjoy meeting and speaking with customers at weekly artisan and farmer’s markets. Most of us will enjoy a cuppa at least once a day, but we don’t know the origins and rituals associated with this beverage. However, in studying to become a Tea Champion and then Sommelier, I’ve discovered there is so much to know!
Fortunately, I’ve also had the opportunity to travel to tea-growing regions of the world and speak with merchants, which keeps extending my knowledge and understanding. What I’ve discovered is that tea plays a central role in many cultural events.
World Tea Rituals Talk
At the end of January, I was one of five speakers at an event organised by the UK Tea Academy. Together, we shared stories of where tea is grown, how it is brewed and served, and its role in traditional ceremonies.
It was fascinating to hear the other speakers share their insights and personal experiences of teas from South Korea, Turkey, Taiwan and Vietnam. For example, the tea-growing Rize Province of Turkey is now on my list of places to visit and I’ve been looking into Taiwan’s Jing Si Tea Ceremony.
Chai in an unglazed clay cup in Lucknow
My tea talk focused on Indian Masala Chai. This is essentially black tea, usually Assam, infused with spices. And, every family in India has their own recipe shaped to their taste preferences. The preparation method is to simmer and infuse the tea and spice blend in milk. Then, it is often sweetened before being strained and served.
Would you love to learn more? I offer a personalised Chai Talk & Experience for up to four people in my garden room in Buckinghamshire. In these events, I share more details about spice blends and brewing along with the history and traditions of this Indian staple. You’ll enjoy a Chai Masala tasting. If spices aren’t your preference, other options include Green, Black & Tisane Tea Experiences, or the History & Etiquette of Afternoon Tea.
Community Tea Talk
Shortly after the Rituals event, I was invited to deliver a Tea Experience to residents of Peverel Court Care Home in Stone. They all love a brew, so the favourites of course were my Emporium Breakfast and award-winning Chic Lady Grey. However I also brought many of my other original blends for them to sample, quite different from their usual cuppa, along with a lovely selection of cakes and pastries in a beautiful setting.
The next event I have lined up is a talk about Tea & Food Pairings. This is hosted by The Coal Hatch in Woburn Sands. They are an artisan drinks merchant, promoting and selling craft beverages from independent producers. I’ll be there on Sunday 30 March for a Mothering Sunday special.
If you host events or run a group that would be interested in a Tea Talk in the Summer or Autumn months, please get in touch to discuss availability and prices.
Discovering Darjeeling
Before that Tea Talk, I’ll be accompanying my mother on a trip back to India. We’ll be visiting family and friends, but I’m hoping to squeeze in a visit to Darjeeling. This high-altitude location is reached by the historic Himalayan Railway. It was built by the British to transport the Raj out of the sweltering cities in the summer months and still leads to extensive tea plantations.
Darjeeling tea is referred to as the ‘Champagne of Teas’ as a result of its light, crisp and subtly floral flavour. We source premium First Flush Darjeeling Loose Leaf from the Phoobsering Tea Garden. Here, the producers are committed to traditional processing methods, which result in the finest quality tea. I’d love to visit them in person to learn more. If I make it, this could become a new tea talk later in the year!
What type of tea sparks your curiosity?
