Tea For The Fishes

My wife's family is obsessed with Disney World.  For the two years since my daughter's birth, I have dodged an almost constant barrage of less than subtle suggestions to take the trip to Disney.  Last summer, I finally caved to the increasing pressure and guilt that was building, that my daughter and three month old son were missing out on a trip that was made to seem as though it was necessary for their development.  As we embarked on this pilgrimage that seemed to almost have a religious significance to it, I looked forward to the intense and oppressive, late summer in Orlando, overpriced theme park food and battling dehydration for a week as I refused to pay $4 for a bottle of water with Mickey ears on it (bottled from a municipal source).

There are a few stand outs for me on this trip.  Obviously, my Daughter had a great time.  My son, on the other hand, could have been on the International Space Station for all he knew.  But beyond the obvious, something very special for me was finding a spice and tea shop on one of Disney's properties.  Thanks to my wife and in-laws occupying my children, I was able to look over every square inch of this store.  I left the store with a small bag of treasure and my head spinning with all the recipes I wanted to try as soon as we arrive back home.  The night we came home, I prepared some tea.  I had the Breakfast Blend and my wife had the Marrakesh Mint.  This was my first experience with loose tea and I have to say, there is little it shares in common with its younger sibling, the tea bag.

Tea is the most consumed, prepared beverage in the world, and for good reason. It has literally been the focal point of the revolution that created our country.  It's health benefits have been known for thousands of years, just don't tell that to the scientists doing that very research today.   I inherited my love for tea.  My mother takes her tea seriously.  She prides herself on "quitting" tea while she was pregnant like others talk about quitting smoking while they were pregnant.  I learned at a young age that it is not okay to microwave your water for tea, it has to be boiled.

Finding this tea in Disney World was bitter sweet.  I savored every cup I made from that bag of loose tea, but I knew it would soon run out.  Sure, there are a few tea stores around here but who wants to deal with some stuffy, phony, French implant to New Jersey who wants you to believe he knows all there is to know about spices and teas because he has that fake French accent (even though he's lived here for 30 years).  Who are these people kidding anyways?  All they are doing is reciting the description of some package that he hides under the table, and pours the tea into some fancy jars up on the counter.   These people are unapproachable and their stores aren't worth my patronage. 

Just around the time I returned from Florida, I shared the experience I had with my Mother, knowing she would appreciate my frustration.  Coincidentally, she had just attended a class in Philadelphia on loose teas and had some samples, which I most surreptitiously removed from her kitchen.  These were amazing samples.  This tea drank my "Disney tea" for breakfast.  This tea was so complex, it reminded me of drinking wine.  Just an amazing product.  This is how we all should be enjoying our tea.  My Mother received the samples from the host of the class, Alexis Siemons, who as I understand, was knowledgeable, enthusiastic and most of all; approachable.  I had to find out more, so I checked out her website.   www.teaspoonsandpetals.com was simple and straight forward.  It highlighted Alexis' vast knowledge of her trade in a manner that was inviting.  She can create a special tea blend customized for your company's brand or private event, design a unique blend for your everyday use and act as you personal tea consultant.  You can always tell those who do what they love and believe in, there is just an organic sense about their work. 

Tea is much more than an alternative to coffee.  It's social, it's intimate, it's sophisticated and deep.  In many cultures, value is placed on the process of preparing tea and I am starting to understand and value it as well. If you are like me, which you probably are if you are still reading this, you realize how important what we consume is to the quality of our lives.  You also want to feel good about the businesses, farms and producers with whom you give the honor of your patronage.   We are not a people like unto those that have come before.  The relationship that is built between a consumer and business is, in many ways, like the simple cup of tea, which as we see is much more complex. 

Tea is a part of our history and its ability to remain relevant in our "modern" lives is a testament to how special it really is.                    

In case you're wondering how the trip was for my kids, last week my daughter told me that we need to move.  When I asked her where she should move to, she responded by saying " um..I think Disney World would be great".  So, it looks like I'll be returning, but I won't be coming home with any tea next time.  I'll have my own custom blend by then.

"We were merry, in an undertone, at the idea of making so large a cup of tea for the fishes"

          -Joshua Wyeth 1826, Boston Tea Party Patriot.  

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