It's All About Tea — tea ceremony
Cha Xi: the Evolution of Beauty in Tea Space
Posted by Boyka Mihaylova on
In this blog post, we're touching on an important part of the whole tea experience: Cha Xi, or Tea Space. Setting up a harmonized space is a vital element in experiencing tea. It also helps us reach a calm, meditative state, where we are able to appreciate the moment and enjoy living in the present.
We'll talk about the history of the Tea Space ("Tea Mat") and the ancient's pursuit of the beauty hidden in detail. We'll then review its essential elements and how to use them to arrange our tea space. So, grab a cup, and let's take our tea experience to the next level! (Read More)
Gong Fu Cha: Intuition or Structure?
Posted by Misha Gulko on
In a world where everything can be divided into two groups, Gong Fu Cha practitioners can be split between two distinct "schools of thought": those who believe that tea should be approached with a free and intuitive mindset and those who see it as a disciplined practice that requires adherence to rules and standards. Each school offers unique perspectives and benefits but also potential flaws.
In this article, we will explore these two approaches to Gong Fu Cha practice, discuss their benefits and potential shortcomings. So, grab a cup of tea and let's dive in! (Read more)
Tea Tradition In Iran
Posted by Boyka Mihaylova on
Tea is probably the most popular beverage in Iran. The tea tradition in Iran has a rich history. Today, tea is a definite winner against coffee in terms of both popularity and consumption. Numbers state that Iran is in the World's top 4 tea consuming countries, with a 1.5kg annual per capita consumption. As for coffee, it stays outside of the World's Top 30. However, it wasn't always this way.
Being at the crossroad between established tea-drinking nations such as Russia, India, and China, Iran took its time before forging its own tea culture and tea-drinking identity. Let's explore the journey of tea in Iran! (Read More)
Drinking Tea in Russia
Posted by Boyka Mihaylova on
In an earlier blog post, we witnessed the beauty of tea rituals outside of China. Today, we continue to explore the path of cha in near and distant lands. In today’s post, we’ll set on a journey to the vast Russian planes.
Russia’s connection to Chinese tea is ingrained into the local culture in a way so profound few other countries can compare to it. As its territory changed through the ages, so did the cultural landscape, influenced by the lands and people the empire included during its different periods. Chinese tea was ubiquitous to the point of being considered a national drink in pre-Soviet Russia. Its history started with the establishment of the Silk Road and has been ongoing ever since. (Read more)
The Tea Experience of Portugal, the Netherlands, and Morocco
Posted by Boyka Mihaylova on
Last time we traveled to the cradles of tea culture – China and Japan. We learned about the local tea experience and how it changed with time.
Today, our path takes us to more near and distant places to explore their relationship with tea. We’ll witness the vital role tea plays in the social culture and customs of the local people in Portugal, the Netherlands and Morocco. (Read more)