Afternoon Pick Me Up
Tea is lovely when alone and even better with friends. Just like beer, there are many fun flavor combinations of fruits, herbs, florals, and spices. And it is amazing to think about how the practice of drinking tea spans across the globe as well as through the centuries.
When I lived in Morocco, drinking tea was an everyday excuse to meet up with friends. Being an Islamic country, the women have limited access to public spaces so walking up the street to a neighbor’s house for tea might be the only part of the day her life changes scenery. Morocco is also a dry country, which meant I had to learn from Moroccans how to have a good time and bond with strangers without any liquid courage; they are professionals at partying.
For them, enjoying tea went beyond drinking it. Pouring the tea was even a part of the experience and an art form. Though the green tea with mint and sugar was prepared similarly across the country, the company, snacks, and conversation varied from day to day. At times we would practice each others’ languages, discuss the latest episode of a Turkish soap opera, or gossip about the latest local engagement.
Having a set tea time daily for two years showed me just how communal and restorative the ritual can be. Though I certainly do not keep it up with such frequency, in addition to my solo tea time every couple days, I am always stoked to have a friend over for tea. I keep a variety of local honey and tea blends on hand for such an occasion. There’s something about the whistle of the kettle, the warmth of the cup, and the aroma of the leaves that simply elicits heart-felt conversation. It really creates an instant cozy atmosphere. Try it. It couldn’t hurt.
