The new tea lifestyle

Tea is steeped in English tradition, but is becoming a very hot US beverage (could it be that after 200+ years, we’re finally starting to get over that bit of unpleasantness in Boston Harbor?). Tea is becoming the ultimate, affordable, healthy beverage of choice for millions of Americans and, more significantly, a ‘tea lifestyle’ is emerging.

Tea-tastings are all the rage, where attendees learn about tea’s history, it’s manufacture, the differences between blends and get tips on how to brew the perfect pot – as well as tasting a variety of teas. Canyon Ranch, one of the world’s leading healthy lifestyle companies, offers tea tasting on their menus, but if you’re more interested in the foodie accompaniments to tea, Claridges, one of London’s most luxurious venues, offers an Afternoon Tea Masterclass. The hotel’s pastry chef, Nick Patterson, demonstrates how to make delicious pastries and reveals the secrets of perfect scone-making – the perfect accompaniment to tea.

Courtesy of Jonathan Vatner of Meetings & Conventions magazine: “It’s hard to believe, but tea dissolves better in alcohol than it does in water. Tea Forte makes special tea blends that work well in cocktails. The drinks could be the centerpiece of a mixer at a wellness event (watching the infusion happen is a form of theater), or the tea could be given as a gift.”

If you’re still skeptical, check out your local Whole Foods, which devotes 6 feet of shelf space to teas and its staff works hard to keep it stocked. With double-digit growth taking place within the specialty tea category, and industry sales expected to top $10 billion by 2010, according to Sage Group International’s fifth edition of the “Tea is ‘Hot’ Report,” it’s little wonder that retailers and manufacturers are increasingly shining the spotlight on the tea category. A recession-proof product if you ask me.