Discovered millennia ago in China as a medicinal plant, tea has become a beloved beverage that has spread across the globe, becoming the second most consumed liquid in the world after water. And since discoveries never cease, here's our tea segment of the day!
The art of tea:
Tea lovers will tell you there's an art to preparing tea, and they're absolutely right! Putting a tea bag (or infuser) in hot water might seem simple, but several variables must be considered: water temperature and steeping time are at the top of the list. Unfortunately, there's no one-size-fits-all recipe, just a few considerations that become an "instinctive" expertise over time. For example, the water should be simmering, not boiling. The steeping time should be adapted to the type of tea you're drinking—you don't want a weak tea that hasn't had time to release its flavors, nor do you want a bitter tea because you forgot to remove the infuser—or because you had the bright idea of squeezing the tea bag before taking it out!
Enjoying tea is an art in itself. A splash of milk or a spoonful of sugar? Unlike coffee, sweetening tea isn't a crime! However, it's worth noting that sugar diminishes some of tea's health benefits (particularly its appetite-regulating properties).
Artists and tea
It's not just the preparation and enjoyment of tea that stimulates the senses and creativity. Several artists have chosen tea as their subject—or as their medium! In Versailles, an installation in the shape of a giant teapot was installed. The work of Joana Vasconcelos, this whimsical structure is said to be directly inspired by Alice in Wonderland. Tea is also used as an art medium: Malaysian artist Hong Yi has made it an art form in itself! Her portrait of a man preparing teh tarik (a local sweet tea), created using 20,000 tea bags, has generated considerable buzz. The video of the artwork's creation is pure delight for us tea drinkers!
However, if you don't have the time to brew 20,000 tea bags or the space to install a giant teapot in your backyard, you can also beautify your kitchen with a transparent teapot and tea flowers. The tea flower, gong yi cha (literally "artistic tea" in Chinese), gently infuses your water without losing its shape or extraordinary colors. A true aesthetic delight for the eyes—and sensational flavors for the taste buds!
