Tea Time

source: Oriental Tea-house

A recent purchase from T2 has got me thinking about tea.  Tea is the most popular drink on the planet after water, with the tea plant being native to East and South Asian regions. The documented use of tea as a beverage dates back to China 10th Century BC. In the 16th Century AD, tea was imported to Europe during the Portuguese expansion and was referred to as 'cha'. By the 19th Century, the western world had adopted tea as it's own, formalising the ritual of drinking tea by serving it in the drawing room (for the 'drawing' of the tea) and enjoying high afternoon teas both at home and at high society engagements.

A little girls tea party: Source unknown

Fresh tea of course is still the best and T2 which have stores throughout Australia, have made selling tea the art form it deserves. Choose loose tea leaves or tea bags (note: they have nothing to do with your supermarket versions) and any herbal or black tea varietal you desire.  A box of their loose leaf tea also makes a nice thank-you gift too.

Above: With their bright, graphic packaging and variety of teas, T2 are taking tea into the now.

Photo Credit: Miss Silk for Especially Beautiful