Rituals have a way of touching our bodies and souls; they help us to develop and strengthen bonds with ourselves and others. They even nourish in a way that can lead to self-awareness. Performing simple rituals every day help to "ground us" and keep us in the moment, yet allows us to piece our life together as if it were a masterpiece - and it is! The term "Tea Time" is much more than the simple act of brewing tea and consuming it.
Eastern societies created an exotic painstaking list of procedures for the entire process, from what types of teas to use, to the containers for each step, to how to arrange the table, which teapot to use for the occasion, how to act, and much more. The Brits have incorporated the use of Tea Time as a sort of fourth meal, and includes rituals varying from very formal to casual tea brewer and everything in between.
Teas come in many varieties, from common black tea, which can be somewhat bitter, to gourmet teas from around the world, made from exotic herbs. There are teas available for every pocketbook. Teas have many medicinal uses and are quite helpful to us. They can be used to help us wake up or be more alert, help us sleep when we can't, and aid us when we're sick.
The simple act of pouring fresh water into a glass teapot, heating the water, placing your favorite herbal teas into the pot, while allowing it all to steep covered for a few minutes, with the aroma of herbs whirling around you is so invigorating! If your hands are cold, snuggle up against this brew and it will not only warm your hands, but your spirit as well.
Glass teapots are a favorite choice for many lovers of Tea Time, and for many reasons. Glass is a great conductor of heat and will draw all the precious nutrients and flavor out of the tea of your choice. So you'll know that you're not throwing away any of the "good stuff" after brewing the recommended time. Secondly, watching your tea simmer and brew can be a very enjoyable experience. It will delight your senses!
There are some teas now that are assembled together to appear like a large flower, ready to bloom once you drop it into the teapot with hot water. It's almost magical to watch this clump of aromatic material literally transform right before your very eyes, suggesting a blooming flower. If your glass pot does not have a glass strainer at the lip of the pot, you'll need a metal strainer. The strainer is very important because after extracting an infusion, you'll pour tea into the cup and you will omit getting any unwanted bitter leaves.