Tea is the True Nectar of the gods. Review on Tea Vs. Coffee

Coffee tastes nice, and the initial jolt of caffeine relaxes the individual.  Too much coffee, however, makes causes one to be jittery, and nervous, like a rat suddenly exposed to open spaces.

Tea, on the other hand, is always calming, never without the caffeine to get one all nervous.  Who needs the added stress that turns one into a beast, always shouting at others, and always angry before lunch, and angrier by days end when s/he must go home to face his/her spouse and family?

Some of the best coffee comes from Columbia, Sumatra, and Jamaica.  But don’t be surprised when you travel to these countries and find the coffee not to your liking.  Most of the best beans are exported out of the country. In Jamaica, especially, it is an economic precondition imposed by the World Bank. Besides, Jamaica, like many former British colonies, is a tea-drinking nation.

How the world drinks tea:

Afghanistan - In this mountainous and isolated part of the world, many Afghanis will welcome you with dark chocolates and a glass of green tea.  Often the tea will be spiced with cardamom and cinnamon.

Middle East - Leaving Turkey aside where the famous Turkish coffee originates, the drink of choice in many Arabian states is mint tea.  It is made with red tea, a Ceylon variety with leaves of mint added in, and served in glasses.

India - In this lovely nation of colorful and delicious spices, it is no secret that the tea is also perfumed and spiced.  There is vanilla, cinnamon, and other spices that make up chai.  This drink is also popular amongst young urban professionals, (derogatively called yuppies) for its taste similarity to coffee. At least tea it does not stain your teeth ugly.

Britain - Captivated by the “Orient”, as China and the Far East was called centuries ago by colonial powers, they cherished tea as one of many cultural tidbits they wanted all for their own.  In India, the British started many tea farms and began cultivating the leaf for export back to the UK.  In England, there is low tea, and high tea, distinguished by the time of day they are served.  High tea is served early in the afternoon, and is distinguished by light sandwiches, enough to tide you through until supper.  Low tea, on the other hand, has more food, much of it substantial.  It is like a light dinner, or late lunch, but with tea, instead of beer, the UK’s other national drink.

Although America sometimes mistake high tea for upper class and nobility, Americans have their own traditions.  Tea in America is ensconced in the political vocabulary.  Many people still reference the Boston Tea Party whenever there is to be a protest against establishment, or something that is blatantly unfair.  In the many southern states, where there is a culture of politeness and gentility, tea is always served sweet, with a lot of sugar added to each glass.

France - Wine is preferred in this country, coffee in the mornings, and tea in the afternoons.  There are two types, a tisane composed of flowers, and a regular tea.  Tea is served lukewarm.

Japan - In this Zen nation, tea is a high art form with dedicated tea masters undergoing years of study to learn the intricacies and protocols of the Tea Ceremony.  Green tea is ground into a paste, with hot water added and served in cups designed to reflect the surroundings.

Taiwan - Tea has always been popular in China, but in recent times, a new tea drink has started here on this tiny island, and has captivated the entire population.  It is the bubble tea.  It is sweetened, flavored tea with black tapioca pearls that are sucked up with a fat straw.  It is not just the taste, but the presentation that is important for this style of drink.

Mongolia - Nights are often cold in this island nation of deserts and mountains, and whatever is eaten is designed for survival, so fat is welcome in the diet. It is no wonder that one of the most familiar drinks in Mongolia is yak tea.  It is tea containing yak butter, and it tastes salty.