Drinking Tea Is Comforting By Tiffany F Williams

Drinking tea brings me different types of comfort. The comfort stems from my memories of when I fell in love with the tea. I fell in love with chai latte when I was in college. I fell in love with Japanese green teas when I lived in Japan after college. These teas play an important role in calming me down and keeping me focused.

When I lived in Japan, I visited Starbucks to cure my homesickness. I would order grande soy chai lattes. Made in Tokyo Japan, it tasted the same as made in Los Angeles. In college, I hung out with my new friends in Starbucks. I did not drink coffee, so I ordered a chai latte. The texture, aroma, and flavor comforted me. Spicy masala spices blended with Assam black tea and infused with soy milk. I spent hours building strong relationships, drinking chai. I missed that when I moved to Japan alone. I missed bonding with new people.

Living in Japan, each day I faced language and culture barriers. Learning new ways to behave and perform simple tasks sometimes became overwhelming. Making eye contact with strangers was considered rude and aggressive behavior. I spent my days looking at no one and speaking to no one. Commuting on the train, I read several books and read the English newspapers. When I felt especially lonely or homesick, I would buy a chai latte at Starbucks. Sipping the brew evoked memories of my friends and home.

I lived in Japan for a year. Over time I adopted a few Japanese customs, finding comfort in their rituals and customs. Japanese people lived regimented lives. They caught the same train to work, sitting in the same car and next to the same person. I tried to adopt this mindset. I wanted to fit in. Eventually, I chose which customs to practice. One custom I practiced every day--drinking tea. Everyone drank tea all day in Japan. My tea background was limited to herbal teas and soy chai lattes.

My tea journey began at work. I taught English in cram schools. The school secretary offered me a cup of Sencha, a steamed green tea, every day. I drank it because it would be rude to refuse. She was the only staff member who spoke to me. I appreciated her kindness. Intuitively, I knew not to ask for sugar. I learned to like the sweet grassy flavor.

I have fond memories of drinking my tea, with the leaves in my cup and preparing my lessons. It took me a while to realize the green tea gave me the boast of physical and mental energy I needed to teach my lessons. Making English fun and interesting to young Japanese children was challenging. After a few months, the aroma and taste of Sencha became familiar.

Recently, I researched Sencha's history. I learned Sencha means 'boiled tea'. For centuries, the royalty and rich Japanese primarily drank expensive powdered tea called Matcha. Because Sencha was a leaf tea, it was cheaper and widely available. In the late 17th century, Japanese tea scholars translated tea brewing etiquette publications from Chinese into Japanese. Common Japanese people had access to the wonderful art of brewing and serving tea. Japanese people felt the ability to brew tea gave you a sophistication.

Now I drink Sencha in Los Angeles while I work. I remember how drinking green tea helped ease my nervousness and helped me focus. I still like to drink chai lattes with friends.