I had lunch recently with a friend and she brought along her own tea for us to share, along with beautiful handmade cups and a thermos of hot water. She graciously explained to the hostess that we intended to make our own tea, and offered to pay the restaurant for a tea service (they kindly declined charging us). It's a smart approach for the restaurant to allow us to brew our own tea. I will go back. ;-)
Sharing lunch and this special tea (direct from Wuyi, China - a Wuyi yan cha) was wonderful!
Have you ever taken your own tea into a restaurant? I think I'll make a habit of it.
10 comments:
No I would not dream of doing this, but my TEA-cher amazed me on a few occasions requesting that the waiters and waitresses to take the teas to the kitchen and bring them back in a teapot that was part of the restaurant's inventory. They probably have known each other for a long time ;)
Not sure I would have the nerve to bring in thermos, cups, and tea. I have taken my own tea in, but requested a cup and hot water. Now I am curious what restaurant?
Blossoming Lotus was the restaurant. I'm quite content with the idea, since we offered to pay!
I have a little emergency kit that I carry in my handbag. It has a couple of self filling tea bags with some loose leaf tea, and a tea bag rest. I can order hot water in the restaurant or on the airplane and make my own tea.
When I travel, I have my matcha kit and make tea in the hotel room in the morning.
But I have taken my own tea, tea cup and brewing vessel with me (I make a couple of different cute bags to carry them) and requested hot water for tea at restaurants, too.
When I lived in the States I, too, always traveled with a pocket tea kit - sans the water. I think it's a great idea, mainly because it will expose those around us to tea, but more importantly they will see how serious tea is taken and may, perhaps, pique their own interest.
By the way, I *loved* your friend's kit, especially the tea bowls.
Now this is something I've never tried--interesting! And I love your friend's approach with the restaurant. That was perfect!
BYOT... why not!? Perhaps it's a little more cumbersome then simply a bottle of wine, but if you are providing everything else, the restaurant shouldn't charge.. and perhaps, if enough people start doing that, they might see the need to improve their tea service, provide quality loose tea, and then start charging!
I expect that about half of the time, at least, you will be considered a queer fish if you do this, and some restaurateurs will probably think you're rude.
Still, if that doesn't deter you, I suppose there's no reason not to brew your little heart out. Maybe the positive experiences will outweigh the negative ones.
It's obviously about finding a good fit. I wish you luck with this, and, naturally, report back.
Excellent idea! I love tea but I usually only drink it at home, since most times we drink it at a restaurant of a café they brew it the wrong way!
Especially if it is white or green! The water can't be boiled as they are very delicate and it will ruin the tea's flavour.
Well now I have to be braver and bring my own tea kit whenever eating out! This way I'm sure it will taste good!
Thanks for the tip!
Excellent idea! I love tea but I usually only drink it at home, since most times we drink it at a restaurant of a café they brew it the wrong way!
Especially if it is white or green! The water can't be boiled as they are very delicate and it will ruin the tea's flavour.
Well now I have to be braver and bring my own tea kit whenever eating out! This way I'm sure it will taste good!
Thanks for the tip!
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