Finding Tranquility in a Cup of Tea

This has been a rough week: the election, the general November-buisness at school, and the eleventh anniversary of my mother’s death. I’m at an age where I’m always trying to put things in perspective. My last post tried to put the 2024 election in a historical perspective. Our amazing country has survived and, indeed, thrived through many political upheavals. We will do so again. As for teaching and learning in November, this too is an essential part of schooling: student assessments, parent conferences, learning plans, and adjusting learning plans. Work is never done, just always evolving. Some can feel overwhelmed by this. I try to feel energized. I am still relevant and needed. My mother was an elementary school teacher for about 25 years, and loved every moment she spent with children. I have surpassed that mark by two decades or more. I am proud of the work I do with children. They sustain my hope for the future.

When life gets more hectic than I wish, I turn for moments of solace. Those moments often include a steaming cup of tea. As soon as I put the kettle on, I start to relax. I know something warm and fragrant is awaiting me. I love searching for tea brands and flavors. When I lived in Princeton, twenty years ago, there was a little basement teashop that had tins and tins of teas lining their walls. The tea purveyor would make you a blend of tea based on the ingredients you chose: black tea, currant, and orange or green tea, lemongrass, and apricot. There were hundred of teas that could be made to order. I loved that cozy little place, and they had amazing gooey grilled cheese sandwiches too. What could be better comfort? Suffice it to say, that the teashop is no longer there, but I hold fast to its memory.

There was also a lovely book I read years ago when I was a budding foodie and was intrigued by Alice Waters, the chef and restauranteur who began the farm-to-table movement using only fresh, locally grown organic ingredients. While plowing through many of Alice’s books, I came across a memoir written by Helen Gustafson, who was the tea sommelier for Chez Panisse, Alice’s restaurant in Berkeley, California. I loved the memoir’s title, Agony of the Leaves, which refers to process of loose tea leaves unfurling in steaming water. Helen’s books was chock-full of information, recipes, and humorous vignettes about her life with tea. Before reading this book, I would have never thought that a woman could make a living and interesting life as a tea connoisseur. And of course, as I travel down the tea rabbit hole, I came across another book, Life by the Cup by Zhena Muzyka, who founded Gypsy Tea company despite great adversities. It is no new revelation that tea brings comfort and healing. But sometimes, we need to be reminded to turn back to what we know is true and take some time, sit back, and reflect on what is truly important to become grounded once again. A hot, steaming cup of tea does this for me: puts everything in perspective. When I take the time for this kind of self-care, I know that I can handle anything life throws me.

Our best selves unfold just as tea leaves unfurl in hot water. – Zhena Muzyka

My tea search continued this week when I visited Sally Lunn’s Tea Room in Chester, New Jersey. It is a cozy space filled with teacup, teapots, British memorabilia, lace curtains, and chintz tablecloths – all that my mind could take comfort in. They have the most extensive list of teas I have ever seen – from Earl Grey to Cherry Banana to Oolong Orange Blossom. Indeed, their list of teas inspired me to write a poem. As I float on this river of tea, my mind relaxed and my spirits rose. Everything worldly drifted away, and I was in a fragrant space where all good things are possible.

Online Tea Purveyors

• Art of Tea
• Empire Tea
• Magic Hour
• Simpson & Vail
• Teasetea
• The Tea Spot
• Tranquiltea