Tea, that fresh-tasting cosmopolitan drink, is loaded - not just with flavour, but with history.
After five millennia, it carries the richest cultural heritage of them all - a story of emperors and deckhands; of duchesses and swindlers; of quiet patience and reckless greed.
Often referred to as 'ceremonies' or 'rituals', the art of tea presentation is more an expression of personality and spirituality.
However modern science has developed significant improvements even is such long-tradition affair, as making tea. Nowadays people are offered large amount of teaware from teapots to tea towels to prepare their cup of tea in most suitable way for everyone.
Long stressful days at work, lack of exercise, too much convenience food that is high in fat and sugar but low in fiber, can all take its toll. A well-earned tea break is often the way to catch your breath. Preparing tea for one need not be a hurried affair. Just as easily, it may be a leisurely break. A moment to relax and unwind with a soothing cup. And what a cup it is. The sturdy metal infuser is the perfect way to prepare tea right in the cup. Of course using teware can make tea break more interesting.
An ideal "have tea anywhere" set that combines a glass cup with a removable glass infuser. In addition to being convenient, it is also loads of fun: Watch the leaves dance as they infuse a perfect cup of tea. When done, remove the infuser (the cover doubles as a coaster) and have a perfect cup of tea wherever, and whenever, the mood strikes.
Teapot is main thing of teaware. One of the most convenient teapot you will find anywhere in one when tea is ready, simply place it atop your cup. This will cause a valve at the bottom to release: crystal-clear tea flows down, while the mesh filter retains all the leaves with one of the best infusers on the market. It's easy to clean and dishwasher safe. And it's microwaveable - perfect for the office or the road. But it is a sort of exclusive teaware. Most of people usually use teapots just well enough to make a tea without any specialties.
Original tea glasses can add comfort to the tea ceremony. They should be made of tempered glass, which is very sturdy and able to withstand high temperature.
Tea strainers are another option when using loose teas. They fit the rim of a tea cup and catch the leaves as the tea is poured from the teapot. Tea strainer has a long tradition of use with fine teas.
The wide variety of world teas tends to disguise the fact that they all come from the same plant, Camellia sinensis. The tea plant flourishes with plentiful rain (at least a meter a year), acid soils, and quite specific seasonal variations in temperature. Despite the need for such conditions, along with regional and climatic differences it can still produce hundreds of subtle variations of flavour and aroma - enough to make the world of tea as varied as those who drink it.
So why not take full advantage of your tea-breaks at work, or make time for afternoon tea with all rules of tea ceremony and teaware whilst out shopping at the weekends. And remember that tea is not just a great drink; it helps to keep you looking and feeling healthy.