Drinking tea is one of my daily rituals, I’m not quite sure when it began, but as a little girl I remember my mother bringing my sister and me a hot, sweet cup of tea every morning. I’ve brought my children up the same, although, thankfully, they like theirs less sweet.
It is definitely my comfort drink and it is the drink I miss the most when travelling, as, in my opinion, no body makes tea just the way I like to drink it (well, except my husband). Two years ago, we visited Abefoyle tea estate, pictured above, and even on one of the best tea estates in Zimbabwe, I did not get served a cup of tea that I felt was just right. (LOL)
Growing up in Zimbabwe, which was once a British colony makes our tea drinking habits unusual to most of the rest of the world. Southern African people understand, as well as Indian people, who also had the British influence their culture, why we like to drink our black teas with a spot of milk. I suppose if we learned to drink our teas without milk, then it would be easier to pour the perfect cup consistently.
On work days, I don’t leave the house before enjoying a cup of tea and my ritual on returning home at the end of the day, summer or winter is to sit down and enjoy a cup of tea with my husband, as we exchange anecdotes about our days.
Tea creates a space to pause and reflect and enjoy the simple pleasures of life. It creates a bond across class and culture and celebrates our shared humanity.
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