Does America Have a Tea Culture?

Welcome back! My first two posts were on the tea culture in Senegal and Morocco, but what about right here in the United States? While not traditionally a huge tea-drinking country, tea consumption has been rising in the United States as the health benefits of hot tea are becoming more wide-known. Currently, 85% of the tea consumed in the United States (2015) is iced, which is a bit unusual compared to many other countries around the world, but hot tea sales have increased 15% over the last five years (2015). Even though Americans drink tea, it is not as much a part of social life compared to places like Senegal and Morocco. Practices such as offering tea to guests and drinking tea with potential business partners are not a cultural norm here.

Even though I am a big tea drinker, most of my experiences are not social experiences. I might make myself some herbal tea while I am doing homework or to help me relax, but I usually do not make it for other people too. The one exception is a tradition around Christmas-time that I have with my mom, grandma, and sisters. Every year, we get all dressed up and go to holiday tea at the Townsend Hotel. I am sure other hotels and restaurants in the area offer something similar, but we always go to the Townsend Hotel because it is our habit (Babin, 2016, p. 254). It is just five minutes from our house, and one of the nicest hotels southeast Michigan. It can be exciting because you might have a minor celebrity spotting while enjoying your tea. Whenever a sports team is in Detroit for a game, they usually stay at the Townsend. This past year, my sisters and I actually met a few Golden State Warriors players!

One of my favorite holiday traditions with my sisters, mom and grandma!

In addition to people-watching, the service is impeccable. It is a bit pricey, but it is justified by the quality of service and food served (Babin, 2016, p. 296). In addition to tea, scones, finger sandwiches, and dessert are also served. We have strong normative expectations because we have always had a positive experience and it is relatively similar year to year (Babin, 2016,p. 295). This past year, the hotel hired a new chef so the menu changed a bit. It was not quite what we were expecting because the menu had been the same for the past five years, but it was delicious nonetheless. We have never had anything other than a positive experience there. The staff knows my mom and grandma since they have been coming there for years, even before us kids were officially invited, so they always treat us very nicely and are sure to give us the best table. The afternoon is always full of good company and delicious food and tea, so we always leave with smiles on our faces. In terms of customer satisfaction, I am not sure the Holiday Tea at the Townsend Hotel can do much better. I am a very satisfied customer to say the least!

Those little sandwiches are actually pretty filling if you eat enough of them!

Even though the United States does not quite have the tea culture of other countries, my family has found a way to work it into a part of our holiday traditions. So before picking up that next cup of coffee, think about getting some tea with your family or friends instead!

Works Cited

Babin, B., & Harris, E. (2016). CB 7 (7th ed.). Boston, MA: Cengage Learning.

Tea Fact Sheet. (2015). Retrieved March 29, 2017, from http://www.teausa.com/14655/tea-fact-sheet

Moroccan Whiskey (aka Mint Tea)

Welcome back! Practically a neighbor to Senegal, Morocco has their own daily tea ritual, but the taste is very distinct from Senegal’s ataaya tea. Moroccan whiskey is a common nickname for Morocco’s mint tea, which is somewhat ironic since most Moroccans are Muslim and are not officially allowed to drink alcohol. In Moroccan culture, drinking tea is a daily occurrence and a symbol of hospitality. Whenever a guest comes to visit, they are sure to be offered tea, as that is proper etiquette (Babin,  2016, 196).

Tea has been a huge part of Moroccan culture since the 19^th century. Like much of Northern Africa, colonialization and imperialism has had a huge impact on the country. It was surprisingly not Morocco’s colonizer France that brought over tea, but rather British traders. When the Baltic Ports closed during the Crimean War of 1853-1856, British merchants decided to find a new market for their leftover Chinese gunpowder tea (Koehler, 2014). Moroccans combined the strong bitter tea with a good helping of sugar. Even though Senegal’s ataaya is also made with Chinese green tea, this type of tea is distinctly Moroccan because of the addition of mint leaves.

Morocco is far from British colonial territory, but they still picked up the British tea habit (with their own spin of course)

Regardless of the ingredients used, it is the custom of making tea and sharing it that makes Moroccan tea special. Like in Senegal, hosts will usually do a dramatic high pour to create foam and cool it down for drinking. However, in Morocco, this gesture has a deeper meaning. It is often said that “the higher the pour, the more someone likes you. And in Morocco, among friends, hosts, and guests, the pour is always high” (2013). This high pour is an example of a cultural norm (Babin, 2016, 180). If you were to pour the tea discreetly, you would not be showing your guest the appropriate level of respect.

An example of a high, dramatic pour

Sharing tea together is a necessary step in getting to know someone in Morocco. Chef Lahlou, a native Morrocan, has said “For people in Morocco, if you want to close a deal, they won't even want to talk to you until they have tea with you” and “I don't know them, I haven't had any tea with them” (Krishna, 2016). Drinking tea together is a critical part of building both personal and professional relationships.

As a foreigner traveling in Morocco, I definitely noticed the prominent role it played in culture. With my host family, I drank tea at least 3-4 times a day. I quickly learned that you do not dare refuse an offer for tea. I was only there for a little over a week, but I still started the process of acculturation (Babin, 2016, 190). I have a very strong sweet tooth so loved the taste, but loved the time for socialization and relaxation even more. I hope to make it back to Morocco one day, and the first thing I want to do is to find myself a cup of mint tea!

I also wouldn't mind having some of my host mom's pie again!

Here is what you need to do to try it for yourself:

-1 tablespoon gunpowder green tea leaves

-1 large handful fresh spearmint leaves, washed

-1/2 liter (about 2 cups) boiling water

-3 to 4 tablespoons sugar

Click here for instructions on how to make it. Enjoy!

Works Cited

Babin, B., & Harris, E. (2016) CB 7 (7th ed.) Boston, MA: Cengage Learning.

Krishna, P. (2016, August 29). Moroccan Mint Tea: The Sweet Tea You've Been Missing. Retrieved March 07, 2017, from http://www.foodandwine.com/tea/herbal-tea/moroccan-mint-tea-sweet-tea-youve-been-missing

Koehler, J. (2014, October 21). Tea in Morocco: 'It's in the blood' Retrieved March 07, 2017, from https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/food/tea-in-morocco-its-in-the-blood/2014/10/20/8f7730c0-54b9-11e4-892e-602188e70e9c_story.html?utm_term=.0c04c836488d

The Moroccan Kitchen: Tea. (2013, February 07). Retrieved March 07, 2017, from http://blog.williams-sonoma.com/the-moroccan-kitchen-tea/

Value Added (Images and Links)

Serving Mint Tea. (n.d.). Retrieved March 7, 2017, from https://uk.pinterest.com/pin/492370171740409263/

The Scramble for Africa. (n.d.). Retrieved March 7, 2017, from www.studenthandouts.com