“Coffee or tea?” she asks and then laughs as she interprets my pause.  Accurately. “It’s okay — we have an espresso machine, I’m not offering you instant.”

And with that, I accept the coffee. My caffeine-addled brain anticipating the jolt.  Addicted to all the fast, fast, fast — the more, more, more.  Coffee suits my lifestyle. Cramming just a little bit more into each moment than is altogether healthy. Using that shot of espresso to push myself just that tiny bit further.

Tea isn’t like that. Tea is cosy and slow. Tea takes its time. It steeps and deepens and takes its sweet while to achieve full flavour.  You don’t rush tea. It’s not the kind of drink you slam down so that you can get to the next thing.  It’s the kind of drink that you take your time with. It goes well with books, chats, craft and late night television.  Read more…