For nearly 5000 years, we have documented the use and enjoyment of herbal tea. If I add some vegetables, the tea becomes a soup, and soups have been documented for 22,000 years. We are not doing anything new, but tea has lasted past many kings and countries. Pour a cup and read on.

What is usually in your cup? While living in the U.K., I did not care for Earl Grey but enjoyed black breakfast tea all day. I see breakfast teas named after different cities, such as New York, Madrid, or Auckland breakfast tea. I guess I will have to order all of them to test which city I should visit. 

If I am going to travel by tea flavour, my first stop is to enjoy the characteristics of matcha refined by the Japanese. Originally recorded in China, matcha is my favourite tea for relaxation. A matcha latte is barely a tea but I like them as well. Matcha is not the only tea that offers health benefits. 

Initially, only important knowledge was recorded in China. Tea had to be of importance medicinally. Outside of traditional herbal medicine, modern teas offer a host of benefits to our mental, heart, fertility, sleep, skin, liver, and digestive health. 

I recall other tea “phases” in my travels. I am lucky enough to fall asleep quickly, rest deeply, and wake refreshed. I have a tin of chamomile for the rare occasion when my subconscious mind has more plans for the day than I do. This tea calms my mind and body. I needed it for dessert.

Jasmine is what I drink most often, I enjoy the light flavour. When living in colder climates, orange-peel tea was soothing. Some tea blends can be near potpourri to me. I'd rather smell them than drink them. Are there any teas that you don’t prefer? 

I am by no means a tea sommelier, but I know how much the water means. Obviously, dirty water is not recommended, but I’m not talking about water quality. I expect you to know better. The temperature of the water is what I want to address in a simple way to improve your cup. 

In your kettle, as the water begins to warm bubbles gather on the kettle's surface. This is called the first boil. The second boil is when those little bubbles release and float to the surface of the water. The third boil happens when the water is rolling. In Japan, the third boil is burnt, and your tea will be acrid. Catch the water as the bubbles are rising gently to enjoy whatever herb you are sipping.

One part of the tea culture I never had the time to enjoy was afternoon tea, until now. Coffee has its place in my life, but afternoon tea helps my digestion and controls the pace of the evening. It feels odd because it is a civilised act and therefore foreign to me, but I like it.