Tea Blog

Thanksgiving is around the corner, meaning that the relatives will be descending upon your house like a horde of Goths.

Or perhaps you’ll be part of the horde descending on someone else. Either way, this annual gathering with family members you may barely know—but who still claim your time—often comes with its own set of loaded questions, such as:

“So… what have you been doing all year?”

This year, you could offer an answer that might leave a few relatives surprised—or at least momentarily speechless:

“I’ve been learning about tea.”

I’ve even been practicing the delivery—just the right tone, the proper emphasis on the word “tea.”

I tested it out recently on a store clerk enthusiastically recommending what he called “tea”—which, just a year ago, I might have accepted as such without question. His response? “Oh? What have you learned?”

Poor fellow. He had no idea what was coming.

“Well,” I began, “for starters, that particular tea is made from lower-grade leaves—ground so finely that much of the flavor is lost before it even reaches the bag. And the bag itself…”

You may not want to go quite that far with your relatives, however. It’s all too easy to earn the reputation of the eccentric family member who lectures on tea at every opportunity.

Instead, consider bringing along a few select teas for a bit of casual show-and-tell—but don’t overdo it. There will already be plenty of food, drinks, and distractions: football, parades, lively conversations, and the irresistible aroma of roasting turkey.

(Just thinking about it makes my stomach rumble.)

Still, introducing tea into the mix can serve a strategic purpose. It might distract Cousin Joey from recounting his latest romantic misadventures, or give you a graceful way to redirect your mother-in-law when she starts asking about future grandchildren.

Last year, I resorted to deploying a tray of questionable appetizers—crackers topped with canned cheese and other dubious delights—as a diversion.

This year, I’m aiming higher.

Perhaps one of my relatives will join me for a quiet moment to explore the delicate elegance of Silver Needle, or watch a blooming tea unfurl as we sip and observe its transformation.

Maybe we’ll share a pot of Tie Guan Yin or a
Second Flush Darjeeling,
enjoying how the aromas shift and evolve with each sip.

Of course, I’ll have a few appropriate accompaniments on hand—brie and crackers, sliced apples with cheddar, or perhaps some oatcakes.

And I’ll be sure to pace myself… leaving room for the main event:

a generous helping of that beautifully roasted turkey.

Be sure to visit A.C.’s blog, Tea Time with A.C. Cargill!