By: Hettie Basil Lighttower
Do you know the proper way to drink tea? We are talking hot tea that is. Do you make the most of your tea? Perhaps you don’t drink tea and don’t know what you are missing. This time of year is a great time to drink tea. The weather is colder and winter is settling in. A hot cup of tea warms you up just right.
But let’s explore all that tea has to offer. First of all depending on the time of day the tea you chose to curl up with may be different that the last cup you had. You may want one to boost your immune system. Or one to keep you awake, or one to help you sleep or one to soothe that sweet tooth!
So once you pick out the right tea for the right occasion, let’s get down to business. There are a few ways to heat your water up. The best way is to bring a tea kettle to its whistle. That usually provides the proper temperature without have to think anything more about it. And of course you can bring water just to a boil in a pot then let it simmer. And we also nowadays have the microwave to do all the work for us.
Once we have the water ready to go, and get it into your favorite cup, drop the selected tea aka elixir into the water. But why is your favorite cup your favorite cup? Is it more thin or taller or girthy? You see there are a lot of decisions that get made pertaining to a simple cup of tea. If your cup is tall and narrow, it will hold the heat in longer. If your cup is girthy then it will hold the heat longer. Or maybe your favorite tea cup is your favorite because of the design on it or the saying on it and has nothing to do with the shape of your cup. I am quite practical and prefer a thin tall tea cup and it doesn’t have to have anything particular on the outside.
The most ideal cup of tea stays hot. Almost too hot to drink. So we have our tea bag steeping. Cover the cup with a saucer or paper towel or other convenient item to keep the steam in. If you let is set for a few minutes and can be patient, your tea will release to its fullest aptitude. Don’t be in a hurry. This is a complete event!
If you have made it through all these intention steps and the tea is now ready to enjoy, pull the tea bag out, discard and here’s how we get the most of our tea experience……
If you cup your hands around the hot cup it may be too hot to handle, so just wait to do that part to feel the warmth in your hands. Notice all the steam rising out of it. Place your face just over the cup feel the steam. Test to see if it is too hot to drink. Let the steam embrace your face. Go a little closer and inhale the steam. Hold your breath, holding the steam in your lungs.
Holding the steam in your lungs will allow mucus in your lungs if you have any to break up and you can cough it up easier. And if you allow the steam to on your face intermittingly it will provide comfort to your sinuses. You can even hold the cup by the handle and place the cup onto your cheeks or forehead being cognizant of not to spill any hot tea on yourself but just taking advantage of the built in heat therapy a cup of tea can offer your sinuses and tired face. It feels like you are getting a facial and it will relax you all over.
Our faces have many points of access. Just as when we get a massage, this cup of tea can relax those points with the firmness of the cup and the heat it provides. Take a sip of tea. Is it a tolerable temperature now? Rest the cup on your bottom lip breathe into the tea. Feel your breath coming back onto your face after exhaling into it. Wow, what a rush of warmth. This rush has depth and consistency and may actually feel like a massage.
Smell your tea….enjoy the fragrance. Hold the fragrance inward. Let it clear fill your lungs. Hold then exhale. When we take time to experience and enjoy the flavor, the aroma, the warmth we are giving gratitude.
A cup of tea becomes more than just a cup of tea. It is a therapeutic event. It becomes a real special delight to more than just one of our senses. The next time you go for a cup of tea, try this. It is very relaxing and destressing. Maybe the tea you selected is a detoxing tea. This way of sipping your tea will enhance the detoxing qualities. Good day…..
What are your thoughts about all this? Send in your notions and comments to [email protected]. Kindness is contagious~*