Tea Drinkers Unite!

Tea is good for you and comes in unlimited varieties. When you have tea, who needs coffee? My family has given me so much grief over my lack of desire for coffee. I never developed a taste for it and prefer a good cup of tea in its place.

When coffee is served, rarely is it served in a cute pot, but is usually served in a traditional coffee container. No pretty china or special touch is provided with your brew. Not so with tea! Quite often you are served hot water in a small metal teapot and a teabag on the side for dunking, in addition to a slice of lemon or lime for added flavor. Chinese restaurants are popular places for tea drinkers. They often provide a personal china teapot full of steeping hot tea.

My husband's grandmother blessed me with several teapots over the years. Some were purchased in foreign countries and others were from unknown origins. I cherish one special teapot more than any of the others. It is hand painted with pink flowers and has a most interesting shape. It was made in Corpus Christi, Texas, along the Gulf. In addition to this special teapot, I have several elegant teacups that match. Invite me to a tea party and I will bring this teapot with me.

A good teacup makes tea drinking very special. Whatever tea you prefer, it will taste better in a teacup. Teacups and Teapots make excellent gifts for Christmas or birthdays. Searching for a special cup or pot can make a special event memorable!

A great Aunt visited our home a couple of years ago. She was kind enough to bring an assortment of tea as a hostess gift. I loved tasting the new flavors. It was a fun gift to receive.

In general, I am a simple tea drinker. I am content with a cup of Lipton Tea. Give me a slice of lemon and I am in heaven. I do have a second favorite. Orange Spice Tea is hard to beat. I will drink it whenever I can.

Many of the larger malls today have a tea shop. They will often provide tea samples for their customers to taste several flavors of their teas. You can most likely order a hot cup of tea to go. In addition you will find a variety of teapots available for purchase. Their styles will range from metal pots to fine china pots. Much of the tea sold in these shops is sold as loose tea. With loose tea, you will need a strainer for the tea leaves. Fill the strainer with leaves, dip, let it sit and sip. These brewed teas can be rather strong. I personally prefer a weaker tea, not too intense.

Some major hotels may provide high tea for guests in the afternoons at a cost. These tea parties are usually decorated with fancy cakes and desserts to tickle your taste bud along with a pot of your favorite tea. If you have a chance to experience a high tea, it is a delightful experience. Take a friend and enjoy some tea.

After all of these years, I don't see change coming any time soon. I will remain a tea drinker. Speaking of drinking tea, the weather is perfect for a hot cup of your special flavor. Drink a cup and stay warm!