As I embarked on my journey to a foreign country and immersed myself in every moment of this colourful world, coffee, a globally accepted beverage, seemed to be a bridge between different cultures. Whether it is under the first ray of sunshine in the morning or in the leisure time in the afternoon, cafes are always an indispensable part of the city, and the perfect fusion of the delicate and dense milk froth of the latte and the rich coffee is even more sacred to the hearts of countless people. However, in this wave of rich coffee, I accidentally found another drink that makes my heart sing - tea, which quietly occupies the first place of my beverage choice in a gentle way.
The first acquaintance with tea, is in a spring afternoon, a friend invited me to participate in a tea experience. Walking into the ancient hut, the air was filled with the faint aroma of tea, in stark contrast to the hustle and bustle of the world outside. At that moment, I felt as if I had travelled through time and space to an oriental land of tranquility. The tea master brewed the tea skilfully, and each process was full of ceremony, from selecting the tea, boiling the water, warming the cups, placing the tea, to brewing and serving the tea, every detail revealed the respect and love for tea.
The first tea I tried was a refreshing green tea, which was different from the strength of coffee, with a hint of sweetness and fresh herbal aroma, dancing gently on the tip of my tongue, then slowly sliding into my heart, bringing an ineffable calm and serenity. At that moment, it was as if I could hear my inner voice, and all my worries and anxieties drifted away with the aroma of the tea.
As time went by, I began to explore more kinds of tea: the mellow black tea, the rocky charm of oolong, the lightness of white tea, the aged aroma of pu-erh. ...... Each kind of tea has its own unique character and story, and they are not just drinks, but also a kind of cultural heritage and expression. In the process of tasting tea, I learnt to slow down, to savour the different feelings brought by each sip of tea, and also learnt to find a peaceful place for myself in the busy life.
Compared to coffee, tea seems to be more introspective and accommodating. It doesn't need sugar or milk to show its rich layers and flavours, just like a wise man, quietly telling the story of the years. The process of brewing tea is more like a spiritual practice, allowing people to find a spiritual habitat outside of the busyness and impatience.
Nowadays, tea has become an indispensable part of my life, whether I am sipping tea alone at home or sharing a pot of tea with friends. It not only satisfies my pursuit of deliciousness, but also nourishes my soul, allowing me to find a sense of belonging and cultural resonance in a foreign country. In this world full of coffee aroma, I am glad that I can meet tea, this gift from the East, let my life more colourful, but also let me deeply appreciate the true meaning of ‘tea is like life, light but tasty’.
Disclaimer: Some of the content in the article comes from AI and is for readers' reference only.
