You’ve heard of tea houses, but if you’ve never been to one, do you know exactly what they are? Lots of people seem to enjoy them, but you haven’t gone out of your way to understand what the hype is about. What happens at tea houses, and is it an experience you would enjoy the way students like Eric Cody Andrew Moxam do?
While tea houses around the world have a few obvious elements in common, they can be diverse. The experiences they offer can vary, so if you haven’t paid one a visit yet, here are a few reasons to plan for one:
You can get a glimpse of another culture
Tea houses originated in China during the Song Dynasty (960-1279 CE) and later spread to other countries in Asia, including Japan, Nepal, and Korea. Tea houses are popular establishments in these countries to this day, so if you travel to somewhere in Asia, you can easily find a tea house and experience a piece of local culture. Many tea houses in Japan, for instance, practice an elaborate formal tea ceremony that is special to witness.
Tea houses have now spread all over the world. A tea house experience with a European twist will be different than what you experience at one in the United States. However, many tea houses harken back to their places of origin, so they become spaces of a different culture somewhere far away. You can easily find a Chinese style tea house in New York, for instance, without having to travel all the way to China to find out what it’s like. There will be differences, of course, but as people move around the world, they bring their cultures with them.
They are great social venues
Tea houses are also excellent social venues. As the drink itself became increasingly popular in centuries past, tea culture emerged, and people looked at tea as more than a compliment to a meal. Instead, they erected establishments dedicated to the purpose of enjoying tea and interacting with fellow tea enthusiasts. Tea houses became places to conduct business, rituals developed, and they turned into places where women could gather without the company of men.
Do you want to meet your friends at a quiet place where you can actually enjoy a conversation? A tea house is a great idea. Many of their atmospheres are calm and relaxing, so they are perfect places to decompress and feel at ease. Do you need a date idea that’s not a bar? Then you can get to know another person over a few cups of tea and some snacks.
Tea is excellent for your health
There is a significant amount of interest in tea’s health benefits. It was once used for medicinal purposes, so it makes sense that people are paying attention to its qualities beyond taste and inducing relaxation (or waking you up if it’s caffeinated).
Leslie Bonci, the owner of Active Eating Advice, says, “Herbal teas, in particular chamomile, can be good for people with irritable bowel syndrome because it is an antispasmodic. And ginger teas can calm nausea.” Various teas also contain antioxidants; they can prevent tooth loss by changing the pH in your mouth and can improve heart health. Plus, tea is a convenient way of staying hydrated with a bit of flavor, and it’s calorie-free in its unadulterated form.
You should stay away from weight loss teas that are hazardous to your health, but hopefully you will not find these in a tea house. Tea is meant to be a natural drink that you can enjoy almost any way you’d like.
You can enjoy teas unavailable elsewhere
Many tea houses also custom-make their own teas, so you can find varieties not available at other stores and tea shops. Do you want to try a tea made from rare ingredients? What about a tea made from ingredients you wouldn’t have thought to combine? You can bet that a tea house will offer a unique and customized experience that you cannot get elsewhere, and the staff will make sure it’s brewed and steeped to perfection.
Plus, many tea houses serve more than tea. The staff will know what snacks pair best with which beverages, so you can enjoy time alone or conversation with your friends over a unique and light dining experience.
Tea houses are wide-ranging, so you can find one suited to the experience you’re looking for: mental, physical, social, and spiritual. Tea can go with and inspire countless occasions. When will you pay a visit to your first tea house or tearoom?