photo by bittermelon

If you’re a lover of teas you already have an impressive choice of leaves from which to brew your next cup. From black, green, and red leaves to flavored teas and herbal tisanes, the variety is endless. Yet there’s another way to explore the world’s most popular beverage. Throw yourself an international tea party and sample the teas and preparations used by other cultures.

Many countries use a specific type of tea or ceremony to welcome guests into their homes. Tea preparation can also be quite specific to a region. Morocco is famous for its green tea flavored heavily with sprigs of mint. A visit to India can’t be complete without sharing masala tea – black tea brewed with milk, sugar, and spices. Around nearly every corner in Turkey you’ll find the ubiquitous sweetened apple tea. In the mountains of Tibet you’ll be served black tea with milk, salt, and yak butter. Russia’s tea is served strong (the stronger the tea, the more you are welcomed by your host). In Japan you may be fortunate enough to observe a tea ceremony made with matcha, a finely powdered green tea. Then switch it up with iced Thai tea, made with red tea, spices, and evaporated milk, or Taiwanese bubble tea, a milky sweet tea beverage with added tapioca balls.

As if these teas weren’t enough motivation, with a foreign tea comes the opportunity to try regional sweets and pastries. What more reason do you need to brew yourself a cup?