High over tea!

What is more refreshing than starting the day with a cup of tea!!!  

When I graduated from my days of drinking only milk, I found coffee to be my kick-starter of the day. I liked it strong and bitter and would grab a cappuccino from Starbucks at every opportunity I get. It has been more than 6 years since I discovered the magical world of TEA. I used to spend more time at the neatly stacked tea shelves in the supermarket than any other section, totally immersed in the world of herbal infusions, different flavours of green tea, beautifully wrapped packs of black tea and many more.

I remember being addicted to green tea at one point of my life, which meant I could not think straight without sipping on one. Then I diving deep into the ocean of tea and found the intoxicating aroma and flavor of different herbal infusions – my favourite still remains Strawberry and Cranberry infusion. I love watching the colour of water changing into a deep red tone when I dip the tea bag and the aroma that wafting out takes me out into a another galaxy!!! I relish every sip I take and make sure my cup is help just beneath my nose for a constant whiff.  Also, there is nothing like a steaming cup of freshly brewed black tea with sugar topped with some sprigs of fresh mint leaves. The scent of mint leaves and the tea will relax your senses and bring a smile to your face. How can I forget the chamomile tea - my savior during my monthly cramps. The flavor of chamomile is not very easy to describe but it soothes you and I’d say its equivalent to the feel of cool ocean breeze.

When I learnt about the tea ceremony of Japan I was completely fascinated by the special importance given to the brewing and serving of tea. Japanese culture has never stopped to amuse me and I am totally captivated by their traditions, dresses, art, mannerisms, language and many more except for the cuisine (I cannot get myself to eat anything beyond miso soup). The Japanese tea ceremony where the whole concept of having people over tea and the elaborate way of serving it by beautifully dressed dainty women sounds like such an exotic experience.

I was totally elated when I came across Infinitea in Bangalore – a tea bar in Cunningham Road where you get to drink almost all types of tea under the sun. Besides the oolong tea, black tea, infusions etc., there is a new variety called the flower tea where the dry tea leaf flower or whatever you call it blooms into a flower when you pour hot water over it. It is so delightful to watch and then drink the concoction over a tea-filled conversation.

Hey coffee-lovers, beat that!!!