Is ‘it’ your cup of tea?

 

A midst the day’s hustles, when one craves for some peaceful moments, one often finds oneself dreaming about the joys in little things. One such is little big joy is a cup of steaming hot tea and moments that help you unwind. No elaborate recipe, and yet, the concoction could go wrong even if have made it a million times. The boiling water that turns a gorgeous golden brown with tea leaves, a decent pouring of frothed milk and then sugar, ginger, masala...to each his own. What emerges is a cupful of joy! After a decent brewing a beautiful aroma fills the air. That’s how tea enthusiasts indulge in their perfect brew. For them, the final step is to relish every sip, sitting at their favourite corner of the house.

 

This experience gets further elevated if there is chilly wind or continuous rain for company. Tea, a stimulating drink appreciated globally, has a refreshing history and some surprising facts. Tea is one of the oldest beverages in the world, dating back over 5,000 years! Legend has it that it was an accidental discovery by Chinese Emperor Shen Nong in 2737 BCE when a tea leaf blew into his pot of boiling water and he loved the uniqueness developed in the flavour of that water. Soon after, the popularity of this one-of-a-kind brew spread like air and as time passed by it became the second most consumed drink on the planet after water! Today, tea has its own catalogue of recipes, tailored to the match the preferences of different people. For instance, an inch of ginger can be added for a boost of energy and cardamom for some calm. Masala chai helps awaken the senses and then there is iced tea to beat the heat. If this is not enough, there are than 3,000 varieties of tea, each of which comes with its distinct aroma, taste and benefits. The black, green, white and herbal teas with countless blends and specialities are placed high on popularity charts. ‘Bubble tea’ has become a global phenomenon these days, particularly enjoyed by the Gen Z. This preparation It is known for its chewy tapioca pearls (boba) and comes with a sweet, milky base. A delicious travel partner! We should also thank England for making afternoon tea tradition a social event.

 

The chai brings friends and families as together well as office colleagues. It helps people bond together. Someone as rightly said, “A cup of tea is an excuse to share great thoughts with great minds”. Apart from being a rejuvenating blend, the concoction is packed with anti-oxidants such as catechins, found in green tea. These are known to have numerous health benefits including for the well-being of the heart, improved metabolism along with reducing risk of certain cancers! But truth be told, for a tea-lover, these fascinating facts make little sense as the love for chai shall remain unchanged, benefits or no benefits. The tea has made way into the hearts of millions. Every cup has a story to tell and is wrapped in the warmth of love.