TEA CEREMONY
For centuries tea ceremonies have become an essential ritual for everyday life and many countries. Almost any country has its tea ceremonies and traditions. It dates back to ancient times during the Chinese Dynasty. The most common tea tradition is Japan, which blends two principles, sabi (寂) and wabi (侘).
“Wabi” represents the inner or spiritual experiences of human lives. Its original meaning indicated quiet or sober refinement, or subdued taste “characterized by humility, restraint, simplicity, naturalism, profundity, imperfection, and asymmetry” and “emphasizes simple, unadorned objects and architectural space, and celebrates the mellow beauty that time and care to impart to materials.” “Sabi,” on the other hand, represents the outer or material imperfection of life, also the original nature of things.
There are almost eleven different countries, and their tea traditions express adoration of life, refinement, relaxation, entertainment, hospitality, and expression of inner spiritual content, humility, restraint, and simplicity.
- Philippines – Ginger Tea (Salabat)
- China: Cha-Dao (the way of the tea)
- Japan: chanoyu tea ceremony (Matcha ceremony)
- India: Chai
- Morocco: (Moroccan mint tea)
- Russia: Zavarka
- Iran: teahouses
- Tibet: Po cha (butter tea)
- Taiwan: bubble tea
- Thailand: cha-yen (iced tea)
- Argentina: Yerba mate
- England: afternoon tea