I received my cha set this weekend and I have been inspired! Here is something I wrote on my facebook account, in hopes of getting other people inspired.
I've found it. I had my hand in the basket but it never got to explore. I only was at the surface of what is now my newest obsession. Oh, yes obsession is such a thick word. Such meaning behind the word, but of all the other words I could have chosen I can't think of a better one.
I use to be into the low-grade stuff. The stuff that you can get anywhere... then, this weekend my eyes and taste-buds were opened to a new world. My tongue has been thanking me all day... my mind is at rest and my soul is rich with warmth.
What am I talking about? Oh, I guess I should say it. I'm talking about cha! What?! You don't know what cha is? Open your mind and be prepared to be in the know. "Cha" is the Chinese word for tea. We Westerners have grown accustom to the word "tea"... but I'm now reserving the word "tea" for the low-grade stuff, tea-bags. "Cha" is where it's at... loose-leaf heaven.
For years I've seen my dad drink all sorts of teas, and even Tisanes. What?! You don't know what Tisanes are? Tisanes are NOT teas, they are herbs and plants, and flowers. They are just like tea but they don't have any tea leaves in them, thus making them null and void of the name "tea." Anyways, my dad recently came across the holy cup of teas and tea products. Now I'm not one to plug something but I'm compelled to plug this. My dad purchased a tea set from www.adagio.com ... It's an amazing tea set and the teas are superb!
This weekend my parents surprised me with my own set and a tea sampler of green teas! From my first sip I was hooked! I no longer want it's inferior cousin, the tea-bag. I drank four cups the very first day! Only later did I find out that all teas have caffeine in them, even decaf. It's just like non-alcoholic beers, they even have a certain amount of alcohol in them.
Here are some sweet tea facts that amazed me:
"Tea is the second-most consumed drink in the world, surpassed only by water."
I found this fact to be most amazing! I guess Americans are still upset over the Boston Tea Party. Get over it people! Drop the coffee!
"An often-surprising fact to tea novices is that all teas come from the same plant. The scientific name of this versatile plant is Camellia Sinensis."
(Facts are from A Traveler's Companion through the World of Tea with Adagio Teas)
Every sip is a new journey... both in mind and body. I like the idea that I can travel without having to go anywhere. Cha (teas) comes from all over the world. Here are a few hot-spots, or from what I've read they seem to be: Sri Lanka, Japan, China, and India! Momma said that cha would take me anywhere.
So I'm crazy... You should have known this by now. While reading the book I stopped mid-way and ordered a load of samples. I'm stoked to the ceiling... and possibly full of caffeine because I've already had two cups today. I usually don't get this whooped up, but I think I've always had these feelings inside... from drinking tea as a child... and now discovering it in the best way possible as an adult.
I had this thought today... I'm glad I'm young enough to be able to experience more cups of tea and old enough to appreciate what is so rich in history and full of flavor. Seriously, you can't imagine how amazing loose-leaf is until you've tried it. I think I'm going to have a tea party! I want to revolutionize what tea is supposed to be! Not this corn syrup filled garbage that can be bought at the store... and I dis the tea-bag but it's improved over-time... and if that's all you can get your hands on then by all means drink it.
If you feel inspired and are interested in trying loose-leaf, then feel free to stop by. I'll have a cup steeping for you... I can't imagine anything better than good cha and conversation. The simple things are so much better than the extravagant... boil, serve, sip! Aaaaah!
I seriously could not agree more. It's good to be young, but it's even better to be aware and young (of not just tea, but other things in general) Out of curiosity, how old are you? Not too old, I take it, since you are regular Facebook userI'm glad I'm young enough to be able to experience more cups of tea and old enough to appreciate what is so rich in history and full of flavor.
.. I, myself, am 22 (almost 23 - eek!).Yeah, welcome to America. People drink "Chai" thinking "OMG I'm drinking tea!" when in reality it's loaded with sugar and barely has any tea. Same thing with basically ANY coffee drink at starbucks. And starbucks isn't even good coffee!I want to revolutionize what tea is supposed to be! Not this corn syrup filled garbage that can be bought at the store
Also, I thought "cha" was Japanese for tea, hence sencha (sen=green, cha=tea) I could be wrong, though. It could be both
Hope to see you around more at the forums. Tea is pretty awesome. Yay tea!
Jan 21st, '08, 11:32
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scruffmcgruff
I think you'll find that there are quite a few TeaChatters in their low-mid twenties, myself included. It surprised me at first, but I think it makes sense. We're old enough to appreciate tea but young enough to know how to use the internet...
Tea Nerd - www.teanerd.com
Jan 21st, '08, 11:35
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You're right about "Cha" [Edit: being the Japanese word for tea (sorry if this was confusing)]. Actually, cha is also the Mandarin word for tea, and chai is the Hindi word for tea. Our word "tea" comes from the Cantonese (I think) word "Tay."forkyfork wrote:Also, I thought "cha" was Japanese for tea, hence sencha (sen=green, cha=tea) I could be wrong, though. It could be both
As for sen... not quite.
I believe sen actually translates as "common," though this does not mean all sencha is of a common grade; some are quite extraordinary, in fact.
Last edited by scruffmcgruff on Jan 21st, '08, 19:40, edited 1 time in total.
I have heard of that new fangled interweb, though, I think it is only a faze. Well, I'm 26 years young. I'm currently in my next to last semester at Stephen F. Austin State University... so I think facebook comes with the territory.
I'm excited about this new window that has opened up before me. I just can't get enough... and thankfully the addiction is tea! I can't wait until all my samples come in!
It's quite interesting to hear/read there are others in their twenties who drink tea on a regular basis... goes to show that it's just not an "old" person thing... and don't worry I think "old" is either when you're 95 or dead.
Viva la Cha!
I'm excited about this new window that has opened up before me. I just can't get enough... and thankfully the addiction is tea! I can't wait until all my samples come in!
It's quite interesting to hear/read there are others in their twenties who drink tea on a regular basis... goes to show that it's just not an "old" person thing... and don't worry I think "old" is either when you're 95 or dead.
Viva la Cha!
Jan 21st, '08, 19:37
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Jan 22nd, '08, 01:59
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Well I must admit that I did have a MySpace account... and I got tired of it... and facebook is heading in that direction... As I said earlier facebook kind of goes along with college... it's an easy way to network with one another... Wait, why aren't we talking about tea? Kidding...osadczuk wrote:Gah! Facebook and MySpace users. Silly Rupert Murdoch supporting wackos
Y'all are making me feel ancient.
Welcome!
Today has been my first day to only have one cup of cha since receiving my set... I think I'm gearing up for the samplers I ordered! Right now I'm curious to try gunpowder... something about a smoky flavor and tea...
Jan 23rd, '08, 01:12
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