Tea Party

 Hello again, dear friends! Gayathri Ramachandran is back with an invitation to a tea party, so off we go! Cheers to all of you, and thank you, Gayathri! - Gowri 

by Gayathri Ramachandran

“Hey, Let’s discuss this over a cup of Chai”. The Americans say, "Over a cup of coffee". The British say, "Over a cuppa!" What do the Chinese, and especially, the Japanese, say? They are the original inventors of the elaborate Tea Ceremony.

In the time-honoured Tea ceremony, Japanese chadō or sadō (“way of tea”) or cha-no-yu (“hot-water tea”) is rooted in the Zen principles of Harmony, Respect, Purity and Tranquillity. Tea has its unique identity and recognition in various parts of India - Theneer, chaya, chaha, Cha, Cheeya and Chai in Indian languages.

Tea served in style

After we moved to Coimbatore from Delhi, Ooty - the Queen of Hills - beckoned us to the cool climate, lush tea gardens, and mainly the mountain air. What a change from the heat and dust; the shivers and biting cold of Delhi! The tree plantations in Coonoor are very lush in growth and grown at elevations of almost 2500 metres above sea level. The special Nilgiri tea is unique in its taste and aroma.

credit: Coonoor Tea Factory

Tea tasting is akin to wine tasting. I have been to the wine tasting rooms in Coonoor, and in the vineyards in Australia and the USA.

The sommeliers swirl the wine around their mouths with their eyes closed in exhilaration “AAh’. Something like ‘Wah Taj’.

Tea tasters are highly disciplined. They preserve their taste buds and olfactory senses by abstaining from smoking of any kind and staying away from drinks. I am not punning. They become Teetotallers!

Do we have tea tasting tours in India? Yes, we do!

There are well conducted tea tasting Tours in Assam, Dooars, Munnar and Darjeeling. The tea factory in Coonoor, TANTEA, is a Tamil Nadu government run factory outlet where one can be educated about tea gardens and learn about the history of tea growing in India. TANTEA is one of the biggest black tea producers in India.

I am in awe of Tea Tasters, Tea Sommeliers, Tea Masters and the Tea Connoisseurs. They ensure the quality of tea and standards for identifying different tea samples. One could call me a tea connoisseur. I am a tea enthusiast!

Tea has etched its mark in History

The Tea Party is very much an Indianized concept that the influence of the British is hugely a colonial effect. The setting for ‘High Tea' is in an urbane and relaxed atmosphere. The invigorating golden brew of tea is either steaming hot or chilled, and definitely will take its centre stage served with an assortment of accompaniments such as samosa, murukku, pakoras, vada-pav, gol gappa, alu-chaat, cheese-toast and the very enticing thin-cucumber sandwich. The various chutneys and fillers that find an honorary position on the high-tea table are the excruciating ‘tests’ for the culinary expertise of the hostess. Many would definitely go through countless, sleepless nights!

The invitations for chaat parties, birthday parties, get-together parties, tea parties, keg party, socials, hen-party, soiree, masquerade and just house party, kept us busy in the social circuits during the 50 years of life in New Delhi.

It is said that there is a wide difference between high tea afternoon tea. Afternoon tea was a ritual in Britain in the early 18th century consisting of finger- sandwiches, scones, tea cakes and sweet pastries, cream and jam.

 Another version is 'Open House’. The all-time favourites in the form of steaming or cold tea, coffee and cocktails and mocktails are served with élan and flair. Life in Delhi introduced us to many stories from tea plantations and those who cherish their tea gardens and their life style.

In 2014 my husband and I moved from New Delhi to Coimbatore, at the foothills of the Western Ghats. I am fortunate to have been introduced to tea gardens in Coonoor, Ooty, Munnar and Valparai and also to those wonderful people who work there and manage the plantations. Our much-awaited getaway from city life is always in one of these awe-inspiring places. Anaimalai and Valparai, the Sinna Dorai Bungalow and the Peria Dorai Bungalow that are known for providing extraordinary comfort, squeaky-clean ambience and the delicious cuisine. The surrounding tea gardens, misty mountains and birds that come to the trees are a visual treat, and a walk through the tea-garden slopes is tremendously refreshing.

Why is it, that the air in the tea garden is not bursting with the aroma of tea? Apple orchards, rose gardens, jasmine gardens and vineyards-- all have their own fragrance.

Pictures of Origin of Tea from Tea Museum and Tea Factory-Coonoor The Highest Tea Factory. In COONOOR

On a lighter note, The Tea House of the August Moon- a comedy film made in 1956 - was my favourite movie. The misfit Captain Fisby is sent to Americanise the village of Tobias in Okinawa to help build a school but the villagers would rather have a tea house!

Meet the writer

Gayathri Ramachandran 

Is this your first visit here? Welcome to Indian Chai Stories! Do you have a chai story of your own to share? Send it to me here, please : indianchaistories@gmail.com. My name is Gowri Mohanakrishnan and I'm a tea planter's wife. I started this blog in 2018 because one of the things that I wouldn't want us to lose in a fast changing world is the tea story - a story always told with great seriousness, no matter how funny - always true (always) - maybe a tall tale, maybe long, short, impossible, scary, funny or exciting but never dull. You will find yourself transported to another world! This is the link to all the stories on this blog: https://teastorytellers.blogspot.com/ Be sure to add it to your list of favourites! Happy reading!! Cheers to the spirit of Indian tea!