when i was in architecture school, required reading was the book of tea.
this well crafted handbook lead the reader through the various rituals of the teahouse, subtly creating links between the service and preparation of this beverage and one's movement through the cosmic universe ... existentialism.
since that time, tea has peripherally moved in and out of my life. my childhood best friend ian used to insist that the very smell of tetley's made him vomit. my iraqi inlaws served it after meals, de rigeur, in their own middle eastern way. i've tried recipes for earl grey madeleines. and frequented the famous mariage freres tea salons of paris.
who could forgo the delicious indian chai, so ubiquitous in jaipur, delhi, and mumbai? a combination of milk, tea, spices (pepper, cardamon, etc.), sugar - a hot concoction in both temperature and taste ... and a most delicious way to pass the day!
i am a big fan of the organic tea range put out by heavenly tea. the leafy substances are perfumed in many cases with other organic ingredients which evoke not only middle eastern mystery, but also far eastern scents, sub-continental flavors, and the earthy tones of exotic locales. paired with the health benefits of these wonderful teas, this is a winning combination.
i was recently turned onto the act of drinking tea again. not for its medicinal or anti-oxidant qualities (impressive!). rather, tea as community sprang forth on a recent trip to morocco. mint tea at dar cherifa. or on the rooftop of our chic riad. or after dinner at fabulous and delicious le foundouk. or around a courtyard sharing sweets with perfect strangers (thanks maryam!).
since that journey in february, we drink moroccan mint tea almost nightly. in a large, white ceramic teapot, we heap in tablespoons of raw sugar; to that we add tea leaves, a giant bunch of fresh mint, and boiling water. we let it steep until the sweet liquid is the color of honey, and we drink (repeatedly - gallons!) the mint tea in lacy teaglasses (small, tall, gold and colored glass). the teacups themselves transport us back to our visit to north africa, being one of the few cheap purchases we made spontaneously one afternoon in the medina.
jane is still lamenting the painting she did not purchase at ministero del gusto - a silkscreened image of said cups by the london artist hassan hajjaj ... maybe next time!
h
this well crafted handbook lead the reader through the various rituals of the teahouse, subtly creating links between the service and preparation of this beverage and one's movement through the cosmic universe ... existentialism.
since that time, tea has peripherally moved in and out of my life. my childhood best friend ian used to insist that the very smell of tetley's made him vomit. my iraqi inlaws served it after meals, de rigeur, in their own middle eastern way. i've tried recipes for earl grey madeleines. and frequented the famous mariage freres tea salons of paris.
who could forgo the delicious indian chai, so ubiquitous in jaipur, delhi, and mumbai? a combination of milk, tea, spices (pepper, cardamon, etc.), sugar - a hot concoction in both temperature and taste ... and a most delicious way to pass the day!
i am a big fan of the organic tea range put out by heavenly tea. the leafy substances are perfumed in many cases with other organic ingredients which evoke not only middle eastern mystery, but also far eastern scents, sub-continental flavors, and the earthy tones of exotic locales. paired with the health benefits of these wonderful teas, this is a winning combination.
i was recently turned onto the act of drinking tea again. not for its medicinal or anti-oxidant qualities (impressive!). rather, tea as community sprang forth on a recent trip to morocco. mint tea at dar cherifa. or on the rooftop of our chic riad. or after dinner at fabulous and delicious le foundouk. or around a courtyard sharing sweets with perfect strangers (thanks maryam!).
since that journey in february, we drink moroccan mint tea almost nightly. in a large, white ceramic teapot, we heap in tablespoons of raw sugar; to that we add tea leaves, a giant bunch of fresh mint, and boiling water. we let it steep until the sweet liquid is the color of honey, and we drink (repeatedly - gallons!) the mint tea in lacy teaglasses (small, tall, gold and colored glass). the teacups themselves transport us back to our visit to north africa, being one of the few cheap purchases we made spontaneously one afternoon in the medina.
jane is still lamenting the painting she did not purchase at ministero del gusto - a silkscreened image of said cups by the london artist hassan hajjaj ... maybe next time!
h
1 comment:
Hassan Haji is fab!! Isn't Ministero del Gusto so cool....?
Speaking of food, this Saturday I am going to Le Yacout! Yay. Always fun for the sensory overload:-)
PS I am linking your blog. Love to the family.
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