Modern busy life has a propensity to keep us on constant move. Therefore, a little period of mindfulness can restore the internal balance lost to the rat race. And one of the best ways to do so is to create your own tea ceremony-a practice of making and enjoying tea.
Unlike Japanese and Chinese tea ceremonies that took years of practice, the goal of the tea ceremony in the comfort of our homes is not to be formal, but rather help us distance ourselves from the daily grind and make time to remind ourselves that we are precious and need tender care.
Invest In a Quality Tea Set
Teacups are an important tool for your ceremony as they can make or break the whole experience. No matter how good the tea is without the proper set to serve it in you won't enjoy your ceremony to the fullest. So, instead of ending up with poor quality choices, choose a beautifully designed tea for one tea set that will take your art of drinking tea to the next level.
Even though, drinking tea from giant mugs is great for every tea enthusiast, tea for one set that features a small cup, and a teapot will make you enjoy the rich notes and different layers of tastes better as each sip becomes important and something to savour.
The general rule in the Gongfu style is more leaves, less water, and rapid infusions. The flavour alters and evolves with each consecutive infusion. The little cups allow you to fully experience the distinct flavour at each stage of the tea's preparation. In this regard, 50 to 100 ml is the ideal size.
On the other hand, the small and compact size of Gongfu teapots in tea-for-one sets produces a more concentrated and excellent tea, with much more prominent flavours with each infusion.
This allows the tea to gradually reveal its full potential. You can appreciate the aroma, taste, texture, and aftertaste between steeps. If the tea is fully brewed in a single step with a large teapot, you will not have the same experience with the same tea leaves. Another benefit of the small Gongfu teapot is that you can steep the same leaves 7 or 8 times, and each infusion has different characteristics giving you the ability to enjoy the subtle differences of aroma and colour of the tea in each brew. Typically use teapots that carry 120ml to 200ml of water or 1-4 small serves.
In terms of design, the tea-for-one tea set is again the hardest to beat. From vintage glamour patterns to floral ones for a fresh and vibrant twist, there is something for everyone. And, if you want your little ones to enjoy the tea ceremony with you, then there are also some interesting options for them such as the ones featuring Santa or Reindeer for the season, or all year-round Pocahontas, Mickey Mouse or a lovely bear and angel choices.
Consider Quality Loose Leaves
It is also critical to pick a high-quality tea for your tea ceremony. Good tea is vital to enriching your taste journey as the major component of the experience, but the advantages extend beyond the taste buds. Quality loose leaves have a pleasant smell that ties the entire experience to your breath and gives a holistic enjoyment that is simply lovely. New tea drinkers can detect if tea is of high quality by studying some fundamental visual cues such as leaf shape, liquor colour, olfactory cues or wet leaf aroma, and taste cues or liquor flavour.
Clean Water Is Paramount
According to an old proverb, "Water is the mother of tea, and the vessel is its father." The subtle tastes and complexity of your favourite taste are enhanced by using good water. There is no such thing as good tea without good water.
The ideal water for brewing tea, according to the old traditions of making tea, is mountain spring water. Pure spring water from unpolluted mountains may be difficult to obtain, but bottled spring water makes it simple. If it seems excessive, simply use a decent water filter instead of ordinary tap water, which often has pollutants that can interfere with the perfect infusion.
Kettle over Microwave
Although there are numerous methods for heating water, we recommend using a gooseneck one. Its tall spout allows for a delicate, regulated flow that awakens rather than shocks the leaves. However, any kettle will suffice as long as you use it rather than the microwave, which has a different effect on the water.
Don’t Forget the Filter
To preserve the quality of the tea, a filter is required. The fin holes filter out the leaves and other particles that can interfere with the drinking experience and leave a gritty aftertaste. Furthermore, tea filters with unique designs might be a lovely edition to your tea ceremony.