Life beyond the teabag

Diane Eddy

The rituals of tea are a celebratory journey with friends and family, or as Okakura Kakuzo so eloquently states in The Book of Tea, “Meanwhile, let us have a sip of tea….let us dream of evanescence and linger in the beautiful foolishness of things.” More than just an ancient beverage, tea enchants us with ritual and a sophisticated way to entertain family and friends. What better way to rejoice in the holidays than to serve fine tea with your lovingly prepared, delicious holiday fare?

The month of December is extra special for tea lovers as we gather with our family and friends to celebrate not only the holidays, but also those quiet moments between putting on the kettle and sipping the first delicious taste of a premium tea. Inexplicably and without a word, tea lifts our spirits and restores health to our bodies. Within the teacup, simple things become great and on December 15, Diane Eddy, Certified Tea Professional will facilitate a tea tasting class in Sun Lakes to guide you in choosing teas that complement the food you so devotedly prepare and serve.

This class is the perfect way to enjoy and learn about exceptional loose-leaf teas – the great single-estate teas from China, Japan, Taiwan and Ceylon. When paired with scrumptious holiday foods, each tea takes just minutes to steep, but a lifetime to forget. Whether you are a tea enthusiast or a tea novice, you will be awed by how tea elevates food from the mundane to an almost spiritual refreshment – so appropriate for holiday meals. Whether it’s breakfast on a chilly winter morning, a light snack of cakes and cookies, an afternoon tea complete with scones and clotted cream or a full holiday dinner, certain teas just naturally lend themselves to specific foods.

Pure tea’s popularity is enjoying a booming renaissance today. With better quality teas and a wider range of choices available, learning tea basics is really quite simple, delightful and fun. When you find a tea that makes you smile, then you have found the perfect gift. It’s the holidays — why not give yourself a lifetime present – the gift of learning about exceptional teas? Come join your friends in exploring the intriguing world of fine tea. December is also the month in which we remember the Boston Tea Party and the little known tea history behind that historic event.

You are invited to join us on December 15 as Diane Eddy, Certified Tea Professional from our local tea store, Global Tea Mart, facilitates this unique and fun tea tasting in exploring pairing tea with food.

Class is from 10:00 a.m.-noon in the Sun Lakes Country Club Navajo Room. The cost is $5 and each student should bring a cup and saucer.

Reservations are a must and can be made by calling Diane at 480-266-5562 or sending her an e-mail at [email protected].