'It forces you to pause': Why one Dubai blogger is making a case for bringing back tea time

Every day, at 5.30pm, Dubai food blogger Haiya Tariq shares pictures and videos of her rustic tea set-up on her behalf Instagram page. Some scrumptious cuppas she has savoured and shared digitally are hojicha, milk oolong and, her personal favourite, matcha.

Unlike a lot of content on the social media app, Tariq’s posts are not merely visually ­pleasing, but also informative. They explore the preparation of the tea - from the temperature of the water to steeping time to trivia - and have others to talk about their own tea arrangements. Tariq is indulging in On-nomi, japan concept of drinking online while chatting to friends, which is picking right up steam globally.

When Tariq heard of it, she realised it had been the perfect way to bond with fellow tea lovers from everywhere. “By putting up my teatime ritual, I had persons tagging me, sharing their evening cuppas and asking me questions about how precisely I brewed my cup. It offers me time to answer queries, and feels intimate and personal,” she says.

Tariq started the ritual on March 28, as more persons in the UAE took to self-isolation, and says there are many advantages of practising On-nomi during these times of loneliness, uncertainty and indoor living. “Tea time gives people something to anticipate. Even though we all have been holed up, we are able to get so swept up in the mundane. Having this ritual forces persons to pause and take a break,” she says.

It’s why she is making a case for doing a lot more than just downing a cup of tea. Tariq wants others to make a ritual out of it - discover a spot in the house you love being in, perhaps on the balcony or seated next to an open window, carefully brew the tea leaves to perfection and savour the flavour - just as she actually is doing.

“For me, tea time is not about pressing a button on a kettle; teas should be brewed at a specific temperature. I weigh the leaves, put them in the pot, set a timer, put the tea right into a little decanter. I take advantage of really small cups, the type that overcome in two sips, which ensures you are always drinking at the perfect temperature. But because they are so small, you have to keep filling them up - it is an experience alone.”

A few of her other top tips include: “Decanting tea before pouring it into cups means that each cup gets the same strength of an evenly mixed batch of tea. The temperature for brewing tea ranges from 70°C to 95°C, and boiling water should rarely be utilized [except for tisanes or herbal teas].

“When buying tea, check the harvest date, cultivator, etc. The additional information, the better. Teas that are fresher are better, as are teas grown in higher altitudes. Finally, try to opt for organic whenever you can.”

This ritual of what she calls “mindful drinking” may have bona fide psychological benefits, too. As nutritionist Victoria Tipper says: “There is an interesting theory how tea influences our mental health due to the ritual of preparing and eating it, rather than what is in the tea itself. Many will need a tea break or periods to have that cup, time to themselves or with others, but that is primarily associated with having an escape from whatever else we've going on inside our lives.

“Addititionally there is research out there to aid that tea includes a positive effect on mood and cognitive performance,” Tipper adds. “Within a healthy population, drinking green tea extract has been shown to lessen the chance of depression and the strain hormone cortisol, which is wonderful for many in times of self-isolation.”

This is all as well as the normal health benefits an excellent old cup can offer. Tipper explains that the high degrees of flavonoids within teas may reduce inflammation, an integral part of chronic disease development such as type 2 diabetes and heart disease. They also protect the brain from oxidative stress, which helps defend against conditions such as for example Alzheimer’s and memory loss, while the drink’s high antioxidant content fights ageing, cell damage and the risk of cancer.

“Of course, to get the best out of your tea, it really is wise to own it without added sugar or sweeteners. In the event that you must then add sweetness, opt for natural, raw honey,” says Tipper.

With more time readily available, persons are seemingly coming around to the thought of an idyllic tea ritual. Tariq’s Instagram is inundated with posts from the neighborhood community on all things tea. “Ironically, I believe this [situation] has brought people together - they are more sensitive to how others are feeling and more supportive.”

Chai (black tea)

Most traditional chai mixtures have ingredients such as black tea leaves, cardamom, cinnamon, fennel, black pepper, cloves and star anise. Take one teaspoon of tea leaves, place in a steeper or strainer, fill with water and steep for four to six minutes (depending how strong you prefer your tea). Drink as is or add honey and milk. Black tea can prevent mouth infections and cavities, improve metabolism and boost energy levels, because of its caffeine content. The spices have great anti-inflammatory properties that aid gut health insurance and digestion. Cardamom, for example, is saturated in vitamin C, and helps reduce muscle pain.

Take one teaspoon of tea leaves, place in a steeper or strainer, fill with water and steep for four to six minutes (again depending on how strong you like your tea). Once steeped, either drink as is or add honey. This tea is very comforting and ideal for easing tension, anxiety and stress, as well as for reducing bloating, nausea, fatigue, insomnia, menstrual cramps, and inflammation. Camomile can even be put to cosmetic use; the herbal tea helps eliminate eye bags and dark circles. Simply press a cold camomile-filled tea bag against your eyes for some minutes, and you'll be bright, wide-eyed and ready to face the day.

Take one teaspoon of matcha powder, whisk with 25 % cup of warm water. Once blended, top with any nut milk of your choice - almond, hazelnut or coconut - and add honey if preferred. This latte is filled with antioxidants, it boosts metabolism, is super-detoxifying, enhances mood and provides you “zenergy”. Matcha tea also works wonders as an area corrector; mix matcha powder with handful of water and apply on problem areas - the antibacterial properties help reduce redness and remove impurities.