The Dalai Lama was once asked by a journalist, “What was the most astonishing sight he saw in Kerala?” The Lama’s reply to that was ‘the people of this country who drink hot tea at dawn and read newspapers and talk about politics’ is a story I have heard.
Whatever the truth of this story may be. Listen to Kochu Velupine on the radio, read the newspaper and have a hot cup of tea! It is a part of our life. Some of the fitness conscious people said to Palchaya that even though green tea has been fixed, Malayalis still follow the habit of drinking tea.
There are various kinds of teas in this Ittavatta itself like Palchaya, Kalichaya, Strong Chaya, Meter Chaya. Then what about the whole world!
How about getting to know seven types of tea drinkers in the world? It ranges from matcha in Japan to maté in Argentina.
English tea
Let’s get to know tea which is a part of English breakfast. The English method is to add milk only at the end of the tea. They serve tea with cakes and butter cookies. Even members of the British royal family are fans of tea!
Moroccan tea
When asked who makes the tea at home, the answer we usually give is ‘mother’. right? But these stereotypes are not seen in Moroccan kitchens.
In Morocco, tea drinking and tea making are the main areas. The male head of the family serves tea to the guests. Fathers pass this habit on to their sons. It extends from him to the next male generation.
Argentinian tea
In Argentina, tea is served with a straw. Tea and water are boiled in a pot called mate, which is like a small jar. Drink this tea with a special type of straw called bombisha. The bottom of this straw has many pores to filter through. That way only the tea goes up through the straw and the tea leaves go down. How about the idea? These small teacups called mate are found in all Argentinian households. They keep the mat by making paintings and decorating it.
Russian tea
How about the tea party in Russia, the land of revolution? In Russia, black tea is preferred over milk tea. Russians put tea in a large samovar. They serve meat, fish, cakes, sweets and anything else with tea. They also follow a special type of tea called drinking tea with a bet. Before drinking tea, they take a cube of sugar in their mouth. Then the sugary piece stays in your mouth until you sip the tea from the glass and put it down!
Japan tea
Coming to Japan, tea drinking is a little different. Their tea is called matcha.
During the Heian period, Japanese monks who went to China to study Buddhism returned with tea. The Japanese love to serve matcha to guests at home. This light green tea is a bit bitter!
Indian masala tea
Speaking of teas, how can we do without our own masala tea? Our own spiced tea with ginger and cardamom.
Taiwanese’s own bubble tea!
Bubble tea is a little different. It looks and works differently. Black boba is put into boiling water. Cut and boil for half an hour and when the mixture becomes thick, this boba can be mixed with milk and ice in a mixer. This is their bubble tea!
The ancients say that there are a hundred languages in six countries. Why language, how many varieties in one cup of tea!
Content Summary : Around the world 7 ways to drink tea