Tea-such a tiny word for so big an idea. If there were ever conceived a universal thought or ideal, or at least one on a more personal "earthy-world-wide-level," tea would certainly have to be in the top ten-right up there with water, sun and air! Tea, merely a hot drink, but certainly known for its myriad of other uses, definitely sets the standard in world-renowned noteworthiness. Hot or cold, it is by far the oldest and most culturally understood beverage around the world.

From just about the beginning, tea has befriended mankind as the warmest and gentlest of comforters. Throughout history tea has been poured out as a "cure-all" for ailments due to its medicinally healing, calming and relaxing properties. It maintains an honorable position in many cultures as a ritualistic element that dates back to ancient ceremonies. Given wings to travel by the power of trade, tea has sailed on to become a delightful lifestyle tradition of post-modern and present-day European afternoons.

Though coffee houses are the latest craze, tea has stood the test of time and is now persistently gaining renewed popularity among Americans. So much so that coffee houses even concede by offering more and more of a refined selection of imported teas. Also, if you haven't noticed already, the isles of the grocery stores are steadily multiplying their tea inventory. Socially speaking, tea is "speaking-up."

Today, "tea-totaling" goes far beyond the mere thought of fine porcelain china, extended pinky fingers and petits fours. Tea has stepped out to reveal its more playful, less stuffy, yet ever-so-cool side by associating itself with words like refreshing, revitalizing, and aromatically appealing. Make no doubt about it, "tea-totaling" today is just plain hip! Tea comes on strong and trendy with today's North American. And with so many to choose from, it may not be a stretch to say that there is at least one tea for every type of person imaginable.

With so many choices, and our North American understanding of tea so limited, experiencing the savory language of tea may initially seem foreign or overwhelming -but don't let that deter you. There is so much to enjoy and explore beyond the orange pekoe and Lipton©. Understanding basic tea composition can help shed some light on the flavors, aromas and even varying costs of different types of tea when making a selection.

Tea 101-Making the Grade
As with coffee, meat and gasoline, tea (depending on its quality/purity) is categorized by grade. The grade is determined by tea experts, of course, who not only consider the look, smell and taste of the tea, but also five additional basic points in their assessment of purity and grade. The color, the shape, the humidity content within the leaf, the content of foreign substance and the content of young tea leaves are all key factors when making a winning tea choice. Grades are also what determine the tea's price.

Variety of Tea
Teas are divided into categories based on color properties. The most common today are green, oolong, black, white, floral, chai, rooibos, herbal, fruit-flavored and of course, specialty teas. Though we have our own American variety, higher-grade teas hail from other parts of the world: China, India, and Japan being the most noted suppliers. Some have caffeine naturally, while others, also naturally, do not. All are uniquely flavorful and many have distinctly known medicinal benefits. As with a wine connoisseur, it takes a great deal of practice and mediation to grade a tea. By recognizing the ever-so-subtle differences between type and grade, experts are able to identify around 1,800 or so different kinds.

Tea is quite appealing to both the artist and the scientist. In coffee houses and among friends at dinner, it is quite the fashion these days to say, "Tea please!" Tea seems to simmer with a deep confidence that makes any "sipper" feel sophisticated and cultured. Worlds' away and civilizations apart, tea remains mysteriously apt at uniting hearts.