Tea Blog

Tea is the essence of coziness. Cozy isn’t difficult. Tea isn’t difficult. But there are still folks who need some assistance in achieving the state of existence where both are appropriately combined. To that end, I present you with five ways to get cozy with tea.

1 The Right Tea

Believe it or not, different teas have different feels in your mouth when you sip them. Some describe it as “buttery,” “creamy,” or “full.” It can also be described as “cozy.” A number of oolong teas have this (let them slightly cool before sipping to get the full effect). Teas from the Dancong area of China, especially those from the Phoenix Mountains, have this quality. Nilgiri black teas are said to have this type of feel to them, also, as long as you remember to steep them lightly to avoid any bitterness. If you like your tea with milk (aka “British style”), then you can’t go wrong with a nice Assam black tea. Just be sure that the tea you choose will warm you all the way through – the essence of coziness.

2 Glass Teawares

Part of the enjoyment of tea is the color of the liquid. It can vary from almost clear to almost as dark as a cup of coffee. Glass teawares like the sipping cup shown above that I saw posted on Facebook can give you a lovely view of that color. Glass teapots can show you those leaves in their “agony” (or as I like to call it, “their dance of joy”) as they spin and twirl and soak up the water around them. Some teas, especially oolongs, can enlarge to many times their dry size.

3 Candlelight’s Glow

I love candlelight, as I’ve mentioned in a number of previous articles on this blog. The softness, the flickering, the warm yellowish tint – they all create a cozy atmosphere. Colors seem softer, a bit muted, and less brash. Corners of the room in their darkness are mysterious yet enveloping like a warm wool blanket. A cozy atmosphere for tea! (Of course, fireplaces are good for this, too, but not everyone has one.)

4 Comfortable Seating

We can highly recommend a reclining loveseat for the ultimate in cozy and comfortable seating for two. Even if you are having tea all by yourself, the extra space will be great to fill with additional pillows, a warm throw or two, and maybe a stuffed bear. If you don’t have such a loveseat, no problem. Overstuffed armchairs are good, too. Even one of those huge sectional sofas that can seat a throng of relatives during the holidays (or your friends for watching that big football game) can be comfortable and cozy on a chilly evening when it’s just you, the cat, and a good book with that cup of tea.

5 A Peaceful Setting

You have the perfect cuppa tea. You selected the perfect book. The candles are lit and casting their magical light. You’re seated comfortably with plenty of pillows and that warm throw tucked around your legs. Time for the final ingredient: mood setting music playing softly and creating that peaceful setting so important to enjoying it all.

May you have many cozy tea times ahead!

See more of A.C. Cargill’s articles here.

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