Experience the world of tea drinking

Stephen Murray, owner of British Delights in Westford, associates having a cup of tea as a way to sit down with somebody else and share your problems. “In England, if people have problems the traditional response is to sit down and have a cup of tea,” he said. Originally from Sheffield, England, Murray started his business ten years ago to provide people from his country who moved to the states with their favorite teas and everything that goes with them including biscuits, candies, cups, strainers and kettles.
He has observed the main difference between his tea-drinking culture and the American coffee-drinking culture is the amount of time people spend sitting and talking to any body. The ritual seems to be to grab a cup of coffee and run, he said.
For Murray, tea is a much more pleasant drink than coffee, not only because of his background, but also because of how it makes him feel.
“With coffee, the caffeine kicks in quickly and gives you a jolt. With tea, the caffeine is released much more slowly. It is not a harsh stimulant. It has a gentle effect on the body rather than giving you a sudden rush,” said Murray.
To learn more about British Delights, visit www.britishdelights.com.
Tea varieties
Unlike coffee, tea has many different varieties to choose from. Like tasters of fine wine, tea connoisseurs know the taste they are looking for. It may be from a specific region or a particular blend and for the best brewing results and optimal flavor, it needs to be made with fresh, loose leaves in a pre-heated bone china cup, explained Janice Zazinski, Manager of Peet’s Coffee and Tea in Lexington.
If you’re not a tea connoisseur, Zazinski and her well-trained, highly tea educated staff may turn you into one.
Another option for any one interested in learning more about tea is Teavana, located in the Burlington Mall. It is one of over 100 stores nationwide which sells 99 different types of tea blends made from white, green, oolong, black and rooibos teas imported from 11 different countries including Japan, China, Argentina, India, Korea and South Africa.
The ceremony of making tea
The process of preparing fine tea is like a ceremony which may also enhance one’s mood. Zazinski describes it as the “zen moment of the day” when you take your first sip after taking five minutes to prepare the perfect cup of tea.
Teavana sells an enamel-coated, cast iron tea pots to brew and serve tea which Manager Jillian Calixto said is the best method because the heat is distributed within the pot and it brews the tea evenly. Matching ceremonial 4 ounce tea cups are also available which provide “just enough to drink so you always have hot tea,” added Calixto.
For more unique tea tools and accessories, visit www.teavana.com.
Tea lovers’ favorites
Joan Macbeth, 74, of Lexington, has been drinking tea for the past 20 years and meets friends at Peet’s in her neighborhood every day for her afternoon tea ritual. “I make it part of a cocktail hour to sit down, and relax,” said MacBeth.
She switched to tea because coffee started bothering her and she had to give up alcohol when she got diabetes. Her favorite tea blend is Assam Extra Fancy and she prefers to brew it loose. “The tea bag doesn’t do it,” added MacBeth.
Marcia Gens, 50 of Lexington is fairly new to the world of tea. She used to drink it occasionally, but enjoys it more now and believes it makes her feel more alert. She drinks black tea in the morning and green tea in the afternoon. She read it is good for your brain. “Anything that says memory, I’m always all over that,” said Gens.
Norman Lux of Westford changed from 25 years of drinking coffee to tea and says it has changed his life. He thinks it helps stimulate his thoughts. His favorite is Teavana’s white with oolong with honey. He still drinks black coffee in the morning, but tea every afternoon and night.