Tea as a beverage has both calming and energizing qualities. It stands somewhere in between coffee and tisanes.

Subtle play

Because it lies in the middle, tea is not really suited to be consumed as a quick boosting or tranquilizing drink. It is much more subtle.

Tea’s middle ground allows you to play with it. The particular tea you choose, the teaware, the steeping time, etc will all impact the way you react to a given tea session.

Personal time and atmosphere

This is why making tea takes time and should not be rushed. Tea allows you to open a time window for yourself and create a unique atmosphere that will linger for a while.

Personally I enjoy tea that gently uplifts me and procures a long lasting feeling of comfort. In my opinion, good quality Anhua Dark Tea is incomparable at this.

Taste is often the most important criterion applied when evaluating the quality of a tea. Aroma usually follows as taste’s companion measuring standard.

Ease and comfort

For me, what really draws me to tea, are hard to describe yet very tangible sensations of ease and comfort. It is for these sensations that I turn to tea on a daily basis.

Relaxation and lucidity

One tentative way to illustrate the feeling I am looking for in a fine cup of tea is gut relaxation, combined with brain lucidity. When three steeps of a given tea procure these sensations to me, I consider it to be a good tea.

Taste and aroma are delicious added bonuses to the experience.