Tea Culture & Ceremony

There’s no doubt that many of our lives have changed over the past 12 months. COVID-19 has altered the way we work, the way we recreate - even the way we socialise with loved ones. Despite the many COVID restrictions that are now easing, I guarantee that many of our recent Easter weekend get-togethers still looked very different to last year. So how might all this relate to tea, you ask? Well, just quietly, COVID has had a huge impact on the tea industry - but the thing I want to talk about here is tea culture and how principles found in the simple tea ceremony can help ground us amidst the disruption that COVID may have wrought on our mental wellbeing.

I do want to start by stating that I am not a mental health expert or any kind of health practitioner. What I am discussing in this article is general advice based on well documented facts regarding social and emotional wellbeing.

 Firstly, what is a tea ceremony?

Traditionally, a tea ceremony is characterised by a host who mindfully and methodically prepares tea to be served to guests in their home.

What is so special about a tea ceremony?

On the face of it, tea ceremonies may simply seem like an elaborate form of hospitality, which in essence they are, but with one essential difference – the mindful element of the tea ceremony is experienced by all participants, not just the host. Each person taking part quietly watches as the host prepares and serves the tea. The group then mindfully tastes and partakes of the tea together. This means that it is an activity that can benefit the whole group who takes part, making the tea ceremony both emotionally and socially beneficial.

By far the most common form of tea ceremony (or tea ritual) that we practice in Western culture is that of simply preparing ourselves a cup of tea. You may have noticed that even on your own, whether at work or home, you have certain methods of boiling your water, selecting your tea, preparing your tea ware and preferences for where you like to sit etc. We perform these tea rituals every single day without even realising it! In fact you’ve probably also noticed that you feel a certain calm when you’ve taken time and care in preparing your tea. This is because whilst you are doing this, you are mindfully directing your attention solely upon the task you are completing which allows your mind to detach itself from surrounding stresses and recuperate for a time. Studies have well proven that mindful practices like this are invaluable in helping to nurture a positive state of mental wellbeing.

So how might you incorporate purposeful tea ceremonies into your life?

For many of us, these personal tea rituals – or ‘tea ceremonies for one’, as I like to call them – are already a well ingrained part of our most cherished daily habits. However, since COVID hit last year, many of us have experienced a lack of deep social connection in one way or another. Maybe lockdowns have separated us from our families, perhaps the halt on international flights have stopped loved ones from visiting, or maybe just the isolation of working from home has taken its toll. Now that these obstacles are slowing dissipating, it’s time to get back to some deep social connection. The beauty of a tea ceremony is that it’s a soulful way to experience a session of peace and tranquillity in the company of others.

Here’s how I like to perform tea ceremonies with my family and friends:

• Firstly, start with a group of around 3 – 6 people, unless you have a very disciplined group - sometimes too large a group can disrupt the tranquillity.
• Choose a place to perform the ceremony. There’s no need to always sit on the floor, sitting at a table is perfectly fine, however sitting on the floor does add a beautiful natural vibe to the session. Preferably choose somewhere with a quiet, organic feeling, like a room well-lit with natural light or a serene outdoor space. Some quiet, ambient background music also goes down very well too!
• In your group, sit in a loose circle formation. Begin the session by taking a few deep breaths together. As the host, you may begin to layout the tea ware and quietly talk your guests through the tea making process: What tea ware you are using? What tea you are brewing? - Anything that draws attention to the present moment. Refrain from discussing current affairs or your daily lives, you want to keep the focus mindfully centred on the tea.
• As you serve, ask each person to wait until the whole group has received their tea. As a group, take your first sips together and quietly discuss thoughts about the tea – tasting notes, how the tea feels in the mouth etc…
• TIP: when tasting tea, gently hold a small mouthful of the tea liquor towards the back of your mouth and gently breathe out through your nose. This stimulates the olfactory bulb at the back of the nose and helps your discern the true tasting notes of the tea.
• Repeat the process as many times as you like. Traditional Chinese tea ceremonies such as Gong Fu Cha do have particular steps that are repeated in certain ways, but the great thing about doing your own ceremony at home is that you can direct the session the way you like, depending on what tea you are serving.
• It’s also customary to serve a small plate of food that pairs well with your tea, however this is not essential.

And that’s basically it! The variations and possibilities with at home tea ceremonies are actually quite endless. You may like to make a regular date and feature a different tea theme each session. Maybe you could take turns in the group to act as host!

The most important thing to remember is that tea ceremonies are not just a tea themed coffee and cake catch up. They are deep, meaningful experiences that have the power to bring peaceful, positive energy into your day. Most of all, they are great for connecting, nurturing and restoring your emotional and social wellbeing. Oh, and you also get to share lots of great tea!

* Tania Pritchard is a tea enthusiast with an interest in health and wellness. We love her take on all things tea & she is a regular contributor to our blog.

Tania is not a qualified health practitioner. Always consult a heath professional before deciding if a health product is right for you.