Over
the last few years of my Undergraduate degree, I have turned to tea both for
its calming effect (slowing me down via slow sipping) as well as its caffeine
content – Alyson pointed out that it is the combination
of caffeine and L-theanine in tea that creates a state of ‘restful awakeness’
often associated with tea, therefore keeping you awake and calm.
More
recently, when schoolwork seems to have taken on the pace of a bullet train (midterms
are imminent) I find myself reaching for my gaiwan and mid-oxidized oolongs. My go-to
tea right now is a Quangzhou oolong or “milk oolong” that I got at a
local teashop. I don’t think it’s very high quality, but it serves its purpose
quite well.
The
other day I was feeling overwhelmed with schoolwork and was more than ready to
throw in the towel. I vented my frustrations to my mom and she suggested I take
a couple minutes to set up a personal teasesh and relax. Like most motherly
advice, I took it and was not disappointed by the outcome. The first infusion
was clumsy and not properly brewed because my mind was still in lab reports and
essays. But, by the third infusion I found my movements becoming more fluid and
deliberate. I began enjoying the flavours, scent and liquor colour. I settled
into the tea and began to enjoy myself. Through this tea experience, I regained
clarity of thought and was able to continue on with my work.
Thank
goodness for tea (and moms)!
Happy Sipping!
Brendan
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