Extraordinary tea – a beverage that created an entire culture

Although it originated in China, it was the Japanese who elevated tea to the status of an art form. Thanks to them, tea influenced architecture, gardening, crafts and aesthetics, becoming much more than just a drink. Tea pavilions were built and famous Japanese gardens were designed by masters of the tea ceremony. Even today, it is difficult to imagine Japanese ceramics, textiles, lacquerware and paintings without the subtle influence of this tradition.

Matcha, a powdered green tea prepared with extraordinary care, was drunk in such pavilions. Participants in the ceremony should feel welcomed and accepted. They should leave their everyday worries outside the door. Guests enter through a small door, only about 90 cm high. Everyone has to bend down to enter, regardless of their status or position, which symbolically teaches humility.

A tea pavilion, by design, is virtually empty. It contains only what is needed for the aesthetic experience at that moment. Typically, this is a single special item, such as a bowl, a scroll or a flower, and everything else is chosen to complement its beauty. As Kakuzō Okakura wrote in The Book of Tea:

‘One cannot listen to different pieces of music at the same time, a real comprehension of the beautiful being possible only through concentration upon some central motive.’

Interestingly, an original Japanese tea pavilion can also be found in Poland, in the University Library building in Warsaw. It is the only facility of its kind in Poland and one of the few in Europe.

Tea around the world – one drink, a hundreds of ways

Today, tea is present in almost every culture, but each culture drinks it differently.

The English start their day with morning tea, usually with milk and something sweet. In the afternoon, they enjoy afternoon tea, also known as five o’clock tea. In the evening, they have high tea.

The Scots and Irish often add cream to their tea.

The French drink tea during social gatherings usually with sandwiches or cake.

The method of brewing tea in Poland came mainly from Russia and makes use of kettles, teapots and samovars, in which the tea leaves are left in the water for a long time.

Thus, tea has become not only a drink, but also an integral part of the Polish lifestyle, representing hospitality, relaxation and daily rituals.

What happens when tea is brewed?

The brewing process is not random and reveals a great deal.

During the first few minutes, theine (i.e. caffeine) is released.

After 3 to 5 minutes, tannins (polyphenols) begin to be released.

After about 7 minutes, the infusion may have lost most of its stimulating properties, becoming bitter due to the increased tannin content.

This leads to a simple conclusion:

The shorter the brewing time, the more stimulating the tea. The longer the brewing time, the more bitter and calming the tea becomes.