FoodBanter.com - View Single Post - come fill the cup-

4/2/05

> On Sat, 02 Apr 2005 21:54:15 GMT, pilo_ wrote:
>
>> i'd be interested to know if the cup you use
>> adds to your overall tea experience..........p*
>
> First of all, I want to acknowledge that drinking from different
> vessels, say a guywan or a tasting cup, does affect the experience of
> drinking tea. I have a set of Russian podstakani that we use for
> "special occasions." How one consumes the beverage does have an
> effect.
>
> But, for the most part, we (my wife and I) simply don't care. We use
> mugs. We use teacups with saucers. We use insulated travel mugs while
> commuting. We typically drink tea for the flavor and the caffeine, not
> for the "experience" of drinking it.
>
> Admittedly, this is a rather pedestrian approach - especially in the
> presence of those who admire and practice Asian ceremonies. But it's
> life. Neither my wife nor I like coffee. We drink tea because we're
> craving a hot beverage with caffeine. We love the flavors and we love
> trying new types - scented, flavored, blended, or otherwise
> unadulterated.
>
> Ceremony is nice, but I don't have time to dwell on ceremony when I'm
> working. I just want my tea (and I get a little cranky without it).
>
> Admittedly, that makes me a "tea gourmand" and not a gourmet. But so
> be it. I'll wear that label proudly.
>
> At least I don't use bags.

Sometimes it's ceremony. Sometimes it's a mug. Occasionally it's the mug
ceremony. At least you don't use bags. I can't say the same. Now, to look up
gourmand and gourmet.

Michael