Top Tea Ceremonies in the UK to Attend This Winter
We have all heard “Englishman in New York” by Sting, where we talk about the English people and their love for tea. However, the opposite is true for people in New York, as they prefer coffee and other drinks in the morning.
On the other hand, London or the UK isn’t oblivious to other cultures and embraces different tea cultures to enjoy their uniqueness and cultural importance. Thus, in the next section, we will discuss some of the top tea ceremonies in the UK to attend this winter.
Top Tea Ceremonies in the UK to Attend
Here are a few of the top tea ceremonies found in the UK to attend this winter –
Japanese Tea Ceremonies
Tea is one of the popular drinks both in Japan and the UK. Thus, the presence of the japanese tea ceremonies in the UK makes it special for the English to be a part of Zen Buddhism culture. There are two types of tea ceremonies, one is Chanoyu, and the other being the Sencha.
Chanoyu is traditional, as it includes matcha. People here sit in the bamboo teahouse, where the master welcomes them and then the guests follow all the right etiquette to hold the tea bowl and consume the tea. It is a formal tea ceremony, with no more than 4 guests entertained.
Sencha is a bit unorthodox and much more relaxed than the other one. Even though the tea serving process is traditional, it’s more casual for tea drinkers.
Chinese Tea Ceremonies
The idea of tea originated in China. Hence, the art of drinking and serving is of high importance among the Chinese people. The tea ceremony is recognized with enjoyment and relaxation. In this ceremony, the taste and smell of the tea are held in high regard. The art of preparing tea is known as Cha Dao.
The only thing relevant to the tea ceremony is the water temperature. Once the tea maker pours the hot water in the cup, rest is the magic of friendship and affection. The first step of taking the tea is inhaling the smell and then tasting the tea. The politest way to finish the tea is in three swallows, which is the right way to attend Chinese ceremony.
Russian Tea Ceremonies
Tea is one of the favourite drinks in Russia other than vodka. Russians generally consume tea after the meal and make in teapots or samovars. Most of the time, they make tea keeping one kettle over the other and making two different at the same time. At the bottom there is a large kettle where hot water is kept, followed by strong black tea in the middle, and mint or herbal tea on the top.
You can mix the tea in any way you want with hot water. Moreover, when you are having tea, you need to refill the teapots after every two to three hours to keep your balance and enjoy all day long. The volume of samovars differs from home to home. Generally, they are found between the range of 3 to 30 litres.
Korean Tea Ceremonies
Another nation that loves tea is Korea, where tea is among the most popular drinks. The tea ceremonies in Korea thousands of years ago due to the Buddhist Monks. Now, it is carried forward by the monks and the ordinary people. It is quite similar to Japanese and Chinese tea ceremonies.
Buddhist monks in Korea spend hours thinking about life and religion. Thus, they use tea to meditate and concentrate on various events. Ordinary people view tea ceremonies as a way of connecting to religion and staying healthy. In Korea, there are many small towns where you will find tea rooms to enjoy warm tea and stay fit and healthy.
The Bottom Line
In the end, tea ceremonies are omnipresent in the UK, helping various diasporas to enjoy their culture and traditions. Simultaneously, it also encourages the English to join the tea ceremonies and experience something new. The aforesaid tea ceremonies are different from afternoon tea ceremonies and offers a new interpretation of Asian culture and heritage.
Thus, you can read the article from above and visit the tea ceremonies to stay fit and healthy. It will also help you to calm your mind and boost concentration powers.
