Member-only story
The art of making tea
One of my favourite things to do is hospitality for other people, the small things like making a drink or brewing someone a cup of tea. There is something about taking the time to put the kettle on, set up the tea pot, put the tea leaves in, pour the water, letting it steep, and then pouring the perfect cuppa all while taking to the person you are doing it for. It’s one of those gestures that becomes routine, yet makes the other person feel appreciated. No, its not a tea making arms race, rather, its about letting the other person know you care about their needs and welcome their company. Its this art of hospitality that inspired this post, and as I am on the cusp of handing my thesis in, I thought I would reflect on why I think hospitality matters more than ever in the society we are all brewing up.
I drink tea without milk, an absolute British heathen, but I prefer the taste of whatever I am brewing sans cow. If there was a position of tea sommelier I would be there, first in line to hand my application in. Not like I haven’t counted the 50 odd types of tea sitting in my cupboard or have explicitly taken time away from a holiday to hunt down a tea shop. This isn’t obsession, its more like I appreciate good flavour, and like to try new things. That, and I like to share those flavours with others.
Hospitality is one of those small things that when you ask others what hospitality…
