The Sharing of Tea

One of my greatest joys is sharing tea.  Sometimes it is the opportunity to recommend a great tea to friends.  (I suppose this is part of what started me with blogging in the first place.) But more special is the physical sharing of space with someone, sipping tea, and talking.

I used to think that going out to tea with a friend was the best way to share.  We could have the experience of relaxing together, eating good food, and pouring from a common pot.  We’d compare opinions about the menu, selecting the tea that appealed to us both.  We were relaxed, engaged, and sheltered from distractions.

My opinion has changed of late.  My kids are of an age that I spend a lot of time hosting playdates.  The children are old enough to play independently but young enough that we don’t have many “drop off” playdates yet.  What this means is that I have more and more time sitting at my kitchen table, entertaining the mothers of my children’s friends.  I usually make a quick offer of coffee or tea or a cold drink.  Recently, a mom replied, “I would LOVE a cup of tea.”  My heart actually leapt with joy.

It feels so rare that someone takes me up on the offer of tea with such enthusiasm.  I could tell that she wasn’t asking for a grocery store teabag in a mug.  She was hoping for real, honest-to-goodness tea.  I headed for my loose leaf cabinet and asked, “Is there something you like in particular?”  She said, “Surprise me.”

Not being too sure of what she usually drank I picked a nice blend of black teas, added it to the teapot, and heated the water.  We chatted, enjoying the warmth radiating from the pot and the feel of the cups as we waited for the tea to steep.  The aroma began to waft across the table and I gently filled the cups.  I sipped and enjoyed that first moment, when my body relaxes and my breathing deepens.  I glanced at my friend and watched her face slide into a contented smile.  Our status as tea friends was confirmed.

I have now come to look forward to those moments when I can make tea for her or other friends and family as much as I look forward to going out for tea.  Everything feels so personal:  from the selection of the tea (varying from gentle and familiar to bold and unexpected) to choosing the pot that we’ll watch as the tea brews to selecting the cup that will have the right feel and hold the perfect amount of tea to the process of actually brewing the tea under my watchful eye.  It all feels like a physical way of expressing my friendship.  It is my way of offering a part of who I am.  It gives me an even deeper sense of appreciation for what sharing tea can be.