Tea, a beverage steeped in history and tradition, is cherished across the globe not just for its taste and health benefits, but also for its integral role in various cultural rituals. From the sophisticated Japanese tea ceremony known as Chanoyu, which is an artful expression of hospitality and Zen principles, to the lively tea gatherings in Morocco where mint tea is poured from a height to create a frothy top, each ritual is a testament to the cultural significance and reverence for tea. The British afternoon tea, a quintessential social affair, features an elegant spread of scones and sandwiches, highlighting how tea can bridge the gap between simple hydration and elaborate social rituals.
Expanding beyond its traditional role as a beverage, tea has infused its flavors into the culinary world, enhancing both sweet and savory dishes with its subtle aromas. Chefs around the world use tea as a spice, marinating agent, and even a smoking medium, experimenting with varieties like Earl Grey, Matcha, and Lapsang Souchong to add unique twists to their creations. Tea can be used in its leaf form to infuse broths and sauces or ground into a fine powder, as seen with Matcha, to add vibrant color and flavor to baked goods and lattes. This culinary innovation opens up a new realm of taste experiences, where the nuances of tea leaves can be explored in exciting and unexpected ways.
Tips for Cooking with Tea
Whether you’re aiming for a subtle hint of tea or making it the star of the dish, these tips offer a foundation for culinary innovation!
Infusing Liquids: One of the simplest ways to incorporate tea into your cooking is by using it to infuse liquids. For instance, cooking rice or quinoa in tea instead of water can add an unexpected depth of flavor. Green tea works well with jasmine rice for an Asian-inspired dish, while a robust black tea like Earl Grey can be paired with quinoa for a hearty side. Similarly, when making soups or stews, consider steeping a tea bag in the broth to impart subtle flavors.
Tea-Rubbed Proteins: Create a dry rub using finely ground tea leaves mixed with spices. Black tea, when combined with ingredients like garlic powder, smoked paprika, and brown sugar, makes for an excellent rub for meats like pork or beef. The tea not only adds a unique flavor but also helps to tenderize the meat, thanks to its natural tannins. For fish or poultry, lighter teas like white or green tea, mixed with lemon zest and herbs like thyme, offer a fresh, delicate flavor.
Tea-Based Sauces and Marinades: Tea can form the basis of both sweet and savory sauces. A strong brew of tea can be reduced down to a glaze with the addition of sugar or honey and used to top desserts or sweeten fruit salads. For a savory twist, mix tea with ingredients like soy sauce, ginger, and sesame oil to create a marinade for meats or tofu. The tea adds a complexity that complements the umami flavors of the soy sauce and the brightness of the ginger.
A Tea Lover’s Perspective
Interview with Emma Watson, Founder of LOVE TEA
How are teas evolving beyond a beverage?
The tradition of steeping and infusing herbs for their therapeutic benefits, is something of an ancient art. What may seem like a more recent shift to seek health benefits from tea, takes us right back to its roots, at which time herbs were often a first port of call for those treating illness or supporting one’s health. Herbal teas can be crafted from herbs or spice, or a combination. These combinations can offer a range of therapeutic benefits, to support specific symptoms or conditions. By welcoming herbs into our diet, we embrace the therapeutic benefits of herbal medicine, whilst enjoying a cup of tea.
What are some unexpected ways you can use teas in cooking?
Certain teas can be used in cooking and baking. Matcha tea has often been used in recipes, for its powerful antioxidant properties. Chai tea, or the inclusion of some of the chai spices including star anise, cinnamon, cloves and ginger are often added to recipes for their aromatic scent, and to support digestive function.
How can we benefit from the medicinal properties of teas in a supplement regime to support wellbeing?
Our teas have been naturopathically designed to offer holistic and natural support for specific conditions. We aim to offer support for those seeking to work on a specific health concern, reducing the barrier between herbal medicine and the individual seeking wellness support. For example, our Sleep tea includes a holistic blend of herbs including valerian, passionflower, chamomile, and lavender which work synergistically to support healthy sleep cycles, support the nervous system and help calm the mind for sleep. Our breastfeeding tea is based on herbs including fenugreek and fennel, which have been designed to support healthy lactation.
We can support specific conditions or aspects of our health, by weaving herbal blends into our daily routine. This ritual supports wellbeing, helps keep us hydrated and offers a moment of self-care.
What are your favourite ways of integrating tea as part of a ritual?
I love our morning tea ritual. My husband and I start our day with a pot of English breakfast tea and enjoy it while preparing breakfast and the kids lunches. Throughout the day, I tend to enjoy more traditional or caffeinated teas in the morning and more herbal blends in the afternoon. In the evening, we always finish the day with a Sleep tea. As an evening ritual, it helps us relax and wind down at the end of the day and supports healthy sleep cycles.
What does your tea ritual for workflow look like?
It is as important for me to create rituals around my working day, as it is to honour my evening ritual before bed.
Having three children and a busy life means my energy and bandwidth is limited. I am mindful of where I put my energy and time and avoid investing in tasks that aren’t aligned with our vision for the business.
I start my working day with a few rituals. I turn on meditative music, and light my favourite incense. I clear and clean my space and ensure I have water at my desk and a comfortable space. I begin work by checking my calendar and set alarms for various tasks for the day, so I can get into my workflow and not be worried about missing anything.
I try to keep the noise of the day to a minimum, by setting structure and following a routine. I filter my emails and take action on those that require it. I always keep ‘my little black book’ beside me, so when I have ideas, I can easily take note of them, yet remain in my workflow.
I reduce noise by placing my phone out of sight and avoid looking at it at all, unless it is ringing, (vibrating on silent.) I silence many apps by turning off notifications. I check in on those apps at certain times of the day, but I avoid the notification interrupting my workflow. By minimising the noise, I feel my mind has the space to not only focus on the tasks in front of me, but also on the big picture, allowing the flow of creative ideas. This helps me avoid getting caught up in tasks that could perhaps take the business in a less aligned direction.
I often start my day with a reminder. This little ritual is focussed on a question such as “where is my time best spent today? What could I do today that would have the greatest possible impact on Love Tea?” These questions help me keep perspective across where my time is best spent and guide my actions in the most aligned direction. It helps me remain extremely mindful of working in a way that ensures I don’t lose sight of the big picture, the mission, and the best direction forward for Love Tea.
I feel the value of work rituals is in finding what works for you, to ensure optimum efficiency and the greatest possible outcome.
Editor’s Take: Tea Rituals to Combat Burnout
In contemporary practices, tea’s appeal has broadened even further as a catalyst for creativity and a source of calm. Modern workplaces and creative studios often encourage tea breaks to foster a relaxed yet alert state of mind, supporting the flow of ideas and collaborative thinking. The natural compounds in tea, such as L-theanine, are known to enhance mental clarity and reduce stress, making it a perfect companion for anyone seeking a peaceful yet productive environment. As we continue to embrace these modern uses of tea, it remains a powerful symbol of tranquility and inspiration in our fast-paced lives.
The customs associated with tea may have evolved, but its virtues remain constant.
Inga Yandell
Steeping and savoring tea has shown me a way to embrace a slower pace, focusing more on quality than quantity. True productivity lies in the value we bring to our work, not in the sheer volume. Any routine that nurtures creativity and deep concentration enhances productivity in meaningful ways. By taking moments to prepare and relish tea, we distance ourselves from haste, allowing our minds to be clear and calm, enabling us to prioritize tasks that truly matter.
Across the globe, various cultures have harnessed its soothing qualities, weaving it into rituals that not only offer a respite from the daily grind but also foster an environment where creativity can flourish. These tea rituals, rich in ceremonial artistry, act as a conduit for calm and a catalyst for creative thought.
In Japan, the tea ceremony, known as Chanoyu, involves a meditative practice that encompasses not just the act of drinking tea, but also a precise, graceful preparation process. The ritual, often conducted in a tranquil setting, encourages participants to be present in the moment, an ideal state for sparks of creativity. The meticulous care taken in the ceremony—from the arrangement of flowers to the folding of napkins—underscores a mindfulness that can lead to mental clarity and innovative thinking.
Contrastingly, in the Moroccan tradition, tea is a communal experience centered around mint tea, which is often served with a generous helping of hospitality. The preparation of Moroccan mint tea involves a specific method of pouring from a height to create a frothy top, a skill passed down through generations. This act of sharing tea not only strengthens social bonds but also serves as a moment of pause, allowing for the exchange of ideas and storytelling, thereby nurturing a different kind of creativity rooted in community and shared experiences.
These rituals, from the solitary refinement of the Japanese tea ceremony to the communal vibrancy of Moroccan tea gatherings, highlight how a simple act of drinking tea can be transformed into a profound cultural practice that promotes mindfulness and creativity. By exploring these rituals, we may find ourselves inspired to incorporate similar moments of tranquility and creative renewal into our own daily routines.
Tea has long been celebrated not just for its subtle flavors and warmth, but also for the ritualistic calm it brings to daily routines. Integrating a tea ritual into your workday can serve as a powerful antidote to burnout and enhance the quality of your work. This practice, rooted in mindfulness, forces one to slow down, fostering a moment of tranquility amid the chaos of busy schedules.
The process starts with selecting your tea—be it green, black, herbal, or oolong. The act of choosing can itself be a moment of reflection, considering what your body and mind need at that time. Perhaps a green tea for a gentle lift, or a chamomile to soothe nerves. The preparation process—boiling water, steeping leaves, and finally pouring the brew—requires patience and attention, which can help shift focus away from work stress and provide a mental reset.
The rhythmic routine of a tea break can structurally partition your workday into more manageable segments, helping you maintain concentration and preventing the mental fatigue associated with prolonged periods of focus. Regular breaks, especially those involving a physical and mental activity like preparing tea, are proven to enhance productivity and creativity. By anchoring your day with these peaceful breaks, you not only stave off burnout but also cultivate a workspace that values and promotes sustained quality and well-being.
Selecting Environmentally Friendly Tea’s
When exploring options for environmentally friendly tea, it’s important to consider several factors that contribute to sustainability and ecological responsibility. First, look for teas that are certified organic. These products avoid the use of synthetic pesticides and fertilizers, which can have harmful effects on the environment. Organic certification bodies, such as the USDA Organic in the United States or the Soil Association in the UK, ensure that these practices are adhered to, promoting healthier soil and ecosystems.
Another key aspect is the sourcing of the tea. Ethical sourcing includes fair trade practices which ensure that the farmers and workers involved in tea production are paid fair wages and work under good conditions. This social component is crucial for sustainability. Fair Trade Certified or Rainforest Alliance Certified teas are good indicators that the product supports these practices.
Lastly, consider the packaging of the tea. Environmentally friendly tea brands often use biodegradable or recyclable packaging to minimize waste. Some companies go further by offering loose leaf tea options, which generally require less packaging than tea bags. Additionally, some tea bags contain plastics, so opting for brands that use biodegradable or compostable tea bags can also make a significant difference in reducing your environmental impact. By focusing on these key areas—organic certification, ethical sourcing, and sustainable packaging—you can enjoy your tea while supporting the health of the planet.
So Much More than Tea
LOVE TEA was founded in Melbourne in 2006, by Naturopathy students Emma Watson and Damien Amos. Emma wanted to create beautiful products that were beneficial for customer’s health and promoted wellbeing. Damien was passionate about organics, working with growing communities directly and looking after our planet.
This ethos is reflected in every aspect of their operations, from the ethical sourcing of ingredients to their eco-friendly packaging.
The company started with a simple idea: to create a range of teas that do more than just taste good. Love Tea aims to offer a holistic experience that supports well-being, while also fostering a positive impact on the planet. Their selection includes a wide variety of teas, from classic black and green teas to herbal blends, all made with certified organic ingredients. Love Tea emphasizes the importance of working closely with farmers and suppliers who share their commitment to organic practices and fair trade principles, ensuring that every cup not only brings a moment of peace but also contributes to the greater good.
Beyond their product line, Love Tea is dedicated to sustainability. They have implemented innovative packaging solutions designed to minimize waste and promote recyclability. The company’s commitment to health, quality, and environmental stewardship has garnered a loyal following among tea enthusiasts who value not just the flavor but also the integrity and purpose behind their favorite brews. As Love Tea continues to grow, it remains true to its mission of offering delicious, healthy teas in a way that respects both people and the planet.
