www.teance.com

Tea: A Gift of Intention
by Winnie Yu, tea buyer and co-founder

As a gift, tea immediately embraces the giver and the recipient in a warm custom that has been refined by hundreds of Asian ethnicities over thousands of years. The joy of giving and receiving tea draws upon and is enlivened by uncountable instances of the benevolent gifting and gratitude.

 Beyond being an expression of unconditional appreciation by honoring those we care for, the recipient of a gift of tea is often the focus of some specific intention too. To this day, tea heightens and commemorates milestone events in billions of people's lives as the gift of choice in rites of passage, as a valued honorific, and as the symbolic center of beautiful ceremonies.

The proposal of marriage is one such momentous occasion. After singling out a woman for marriage, for example, a prospective bridegroom belonging to any one of the many ethnic tribes in China will present a gift of tea to her family. If the family accepts, their daughter is irrevocably promised to him in marriage.

The daughter may, however, find the arrangement unacceptable and she can opt out by including tea in a cheeky act of rebellion. To announce her refusal, she will arrive at the house of her prospective in-laws, tell them she is opposed, then drop her package of tea on their table with a thud and walk away. 

If the couple goes forward with marriage, their vows are celebrated and sealed with tea. During the ceremony the pair kneels before both sets of parents and grandparents with a gaiwan of tea to thank them for having raised them to the point of maturity that will help them meet the demands of marriage. Not only does this confer honor and respect on their elders, but it also brings solemnity to the situation. Tea in this instance becomes a symbolic gesture of the permanency of the occasion and of their newly formed family ties.

Along with the daughter comes a dowry comprised of many things. Called "cha-li" or tea gift, tea is considered an absolute requirement as part of this dowry. In some farming communities the dowry might also include tea seedlings that the bride must plant in her husband's fields. If the marriage ends in divorce, the wife will proceed to take the tea bushes out of the soil and carry them back to her original home. These and many other customs centered on tea color the fascinating world of Chinese social order.

Serving tea to an individual in ceremonial fashion can signify a profound purpose as well. In a school setting, a potential student kneels in front of an elder or master with a gaiwan of tea in order to be admitted as a disciple. Acceptance by a master is considered one of the worthiest and most sought after experiences for an Asian, since education or the learning of a specific craft or set of skills is considered priceless.

Tea is at the very heart of hospitality. After a long journey, for example, an unexpected guest is immediately welcomed with a gaiwan of tea to clear away any dust in the traveler's throat. When the second gaiwan is served, the guest must state his intention for the visit. Finally, when the third gaiwan arrives, the guest should know that it is time for him to depart lest he overstay his welcome.

Tea has become the currency of choice in the economy of hospitality and gratitude. Nowadays, not only do guests expect to be served tea when they arrive, but the host anticipates the arrival of tea with the guests. Instead of expressing gratitude with a note later, it is expected and customary to say "thank-you" in advance by giving tea at arrival. There is no better hostess gift than tea, and no better beverage to greet the guests with! 

Although no item in Asia, especially China, has such a profoundly recognized social value as tea, it is always a gift. No matter where you are, the richness of culture can be shared and understood through tea - yet another reason why Teance was created.

How to choose a tea gift

As a gift, any given tea can be highly symbolic, and selecting a tea based on the story behind it shows thoughtful intent in its giving. Although some teas are considered more fitting for certain occasions, it is always suitable to gift a high quality tea. This way you acknowledge the recipient as a person of good taste and connoisseurship.

Here are a few guidelines to help you send the perfect message with your gift of tea:

- If you don't want to guess the tea tastes of your intended recipient, you can always focus on the rarity or uniqueness of the gift. Teas like the High Mountain Oolongs, the Phoenix Single Groves, or the Tikuanyins are top connoisseur picks.