Taking time for tea

Recently, we discovered this wonderful Korean Tea House in town called Born, Green Tea and Beyond. They have a wonderful variety of loose teas and a simplistic formality to serving it that completely took me in.

First you select which tea you want to try. Then find a spot to relax and enjoy the process. The tea and its accoutrements are brought out on individual trays. Each tray has its own tea pot, strainer, pitcher and cup. Loose tea is added to the tea pot, then they pour in hot water. After it steeps for a couple of minutes, they pour the tea through the strainer into the pitcher and then they pour it into your cup.

There is something so peaceful and serene in watching this process unfold and because of that, I naturally wanted to bring the experience home. After investing in all the necessary paraphernalia, this process has become part of my daily routine. I found that there are two mindsets to making tea. You can simply make a cup of tea and go about your business, or you can make time for tea. Both are satisfying in their own way, but my preference is to make time for tea. In doing so, I find that bit of peace and serenity, taking time to relax the stresses of the day.

I take this tray of tea into my office, or out on the patio with a book. It's a wonderful way to relax.

My favorite tea is Chrysanthemum. Yum!!