Creating a Meditative Tea Ritual to End 2020
These days we need to slow down, breathe, and create space to really be present in our daily activities. Tea can help. Tea isn’t just a drink, it’s a way to nourish and connect.
Time
Create time for your ritual. You can take a few minutes, or as long as you want or need. Find the best time in your daily routine when you can be most present. Think about the best time for a pause of renewal or boost in productivity.
Tea
First, find your cup. Does a mug have special meaning to you? Do you like the way it feels in your hand? Is it rustic or elegant? Warm the cup with hot tap water. Let it sit while you select your tea. Do you have a go-to everyday favorite or do you like to experiment?
Tune in to the sound of the water in your kettle. Depending on the type of tea you are preparing, notice just before the water starts to boil, or comes to a rolling boil. Have you tried a few yoga positions or stretches while your water is heating?
Watch the leaves unfurl and the color of the infusion change as it steeps. Taking the time to observe this brings you into the moment and encourages you to slow down.
SPACE
Generate physical and mental space. Do you have a favorite poem or mantra to rehearse silently? Favorite music to play? Set your intentions for the day.
Pick a cozy spot to sit with a small table nearby. Life at home may be a little more crowded these days so find a place to sit and truly relax with your tea for a few moments.
Benefits of tea and a tea ritual:
– Increases antioxidants and nutrient intake
– Provides an energy boost and improved focus
– Includes less caffeine than coffee
– Offers an opportunity to slow down and be present
– Brings a moment to express gratitude
Try these daily rituals with our exceptional matcha and pu-erh.
Matcha is unlike any other tea. It’s packed with beneficial goodness as well as flavor. Try methodically preparing a cup of matcha.
To prepare matcha traditionally, you’ll want to use a Bamboo Whisk. Heat your water to 165 degrees, well below the boil, just as small bubbles are forming on the bottom of the kettle.
Add 1/2 teaspoon of matcha powder into a bowl, and drizzle in 1 tablespoon of hot water. Use your bamboo whisk to mix the powder into a smooth paste, then add 1/2 to 3/4 cup additional hot water and whisk until frothy.
Organic Ceremonial Matcha Green Tea Powder
This powdered green tea’s aroma is sweet and clear, with a bold green scent and a hint of almond. It whisks up with abundant foam (a good marker for quality) and a soft, sweet, cut-green aroma. The flavor is at once bold and balanced, bittersweet and pleasing. It has an umami savoriness that Japanese tea lovers will adore. Its lasting aftertaste kicks off with a burst of wheatgrass flavor. And, for us anyway, it brings a gentle sense of elation, which makes it a wonderful tea for morning rituals.
Vanilla Matcha Green Tea Powder
Thanks to the addition of natural vanilla flavor, this matcha has a sweet taste that’s even accessible for those who don’t usually like green tea. And yet, it has a balanced enough flavor that even the most serious of tea connoisseurs will enjoy it as a fun break from their routines. The finely milled powder has a powerful vanilla aroma. Foamed with water, milk or milk substitute, it gets frothy and its green notes start to come forward. The flavor is bold vanilla with a grassy kick and hints of coconut. It’s sweet, even without any sweetener at all.
Learn more about matcha on our blog.
Up your game with our Japanese Ceremonial Matcha Kit.
Prefer black tea? We have a tea ritual for you too!
Pu-erh tea is an aged, post-fermented black tea from southern China. Our pu-erh comes from Yunnan Province in China. Pu-erh is named after the town where it was first developed. Pu-erh tea leaves go through a microbial fermentation process (post-fermented) after they have been dried and rolled, causing the leaves to darken and change in flavor. Pu-erh is aged and released in vintages, similar to wine. Young pu-erhs may have an assertive body and bold strength. Both the body and mouthfeel become richer as the pu-erh continues to age from 4-8 years.
This traditional Chinese black tea is aged to achieve its dark brown liquor and an earthy, mellow taste. Like a fine wine, the aging process of pu-erh tea creates a complex and utterly smooth cup. The thick liquid emits an earthy aroma that highlights the phrase “cave-like” in the best way. One can detect a slight sweetness in the aroma as well, alluding to the complexity of the drink. This unique tea has a medium body, silky smooth mouthfeel and not a trace of bitterness. It’s a satisfying cup.
Would like to read more about tea rituals? Start your Day off Right with a Simple Morning Tea Ritual.
