Stories waft out of the steaming kettle as it gently purrs over the stovetop. Fog clouds the outside of the window, making frosted patterns on the pane’s outer edges. Heat warms the inside of the glass in comforting haze. I await eagerly for the boiling to finish as the faint scent of cinnamon and cloves drifts out of the kitchen. I peek outside to see neighbors’ places softly glimmering through shuttered casements before sliding the curtains closed. I light the lamps until the interior glows amber.
I decant tea leaves, cardamon, ginger, anise, and pepper into the pot before pouring in the bubbling water. I linger over the steeping liquid, my nose twitching in anticipation. My home now completely clouded in condensation, I catch the luminescence reflecting snugly off the darkened casements. The outer world dissipates, making room for inner make-believe, retrospection, reading, and puzzling.
In the colder months I always gravitate towards coffee and tea to get warm. Something about wrapping chilled fingers around a hot mug, sniffing the balmy aroma, sipping the almost too piping beverage slowly, brings me comfort. The distant rumble of an airplane or incoming thunder gently growls for attention. But, my focus is riveted towards watching the candle throw odd silhouettes against the wall as its flame sputters. I observe the dancing shadows play out their brief plot before squishing cozily into my seat, cup in hand, to while the hours in sweet reverie.
Coffee and tea are an important component in connecting me back to myself. When I’m preparing to weave stories or reflect on my day, a spicy chai or toasty java is the perfect complement. Plans for the future, organizing schedules, scheming new projects are all accompanied by coffee or tea. But, it’s equally important for me to forge connections outside myself. Coffee or tea feels like the ideal accompaniment to good conversation too. There’s no pressure in inviting someone to meet at a cafe. In fact coffee houses first appeared in Damascus in the fifteenth century as a venue where various peoples could enjoy playing chess, discussing music, and sharing anecdotes. They were known as schools of wisdom.
Teahouses have existed even longer than this throughout China as spaces for young people to safely date, chat, and socialize. These establishments were lively intersections of theory, where news and histories were exchanged, traveling across neighborhoods and borders. Caffeinated beverages were essential to rituals of gathering and dissemination. Tea is even served on roadsides and train stops in India by chai wallahs as a quick, cheap means of refreshment.
I often think about how my elders would toddle over to the closest bistro for an afternoon tea. They’d sit there and gossip for hours with their best friends, half-an-eye on the street as it performed its daily business. They’d discuss who in their circle had passed, whose grandchildren were getting married or had gotten a promotion. Eventually scandals would stack up as surely as the sugar pot emptied. Tall tales of past glories would be mulled over. The world around them would be judged according to the soaked leaves at the bottoms of their cups.
My neighbor has a morning ritual now that they’re retired. Sharp at seven o’clock they wend their way to the donut shop and claim the table next to the window. They order one large black coffee and unfold the papers they’ve tucked under the crook of their arm. A grueling bout of puzzle solving occupies such concentration that they’ll pay no heed to greetings from anyone. Friends have long learned to take a seat and bide patiently until the end of the session before striking up a discourse. Every now and again they’ll raise their head and gaze vaguely around at the other patrons to ask about a specific clue that’s baffled them. If anyone provides the right answer, they get treated to a free cup of coffee.
It’s fascinating to consider how long both coffee and tea have been an integral part of so many cultures, allowing people to pause from the rush of their busy agendas, revitalizing them, being the reason they congregate, spreading knowledge, forwarding advice into the future. I think about this marvel as I partake in a centuries old ritual, bringing cup to mouth as I taste the sweet consolation of my delicious beverage.
Bespoke Traveler Note:
Do you prefer coffee, tea, or some other libation?
Thank you for listening. “Retreat and Gather” was written and narrated by Atreyee Gupta. For more details, head to the website at www.bespoketraveler.com.
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