“When you arise in the morning, think of what a precious privilege it is to be alive – to breathe, to think, to enjoy, to love”. – Marcus Aurelius
I love the morning, especially this time of the year. The complete silence is a comfort to me, as it allows for free thought. After giving thanks for waking up to a brand new day, I look out of my bedroom window to gage the weather. When I see the trees blowing in the wind I get excited. There’s nothing like waking up to a brisk morning - the best backdrop for a perfect brew!
My morning ritual represents the best of both worlds – modern and vintage. First, I turn on my modern day Breville Variable Temperature Kettle, and set it to 212 degrees for black tea. I usually start the day with a cup of Assam or Wild Black Yunnan (for a jolt of caffeine). Using the proper amount of heat helps to extract all of the flavor especially for black tea. Second, I fill my kettle with cold water from my Mavea Water Filter Pitcher. The fresher the water the better to taste the complex notes of your tea. While the water boils, I prepare my simple breakfast of oatmeal or gluten-free waffles. After 5-minutes, I hit the hold button on the kettle to keep the water hot (a great added feature) to give myself time to finish my breakfast.
Lastly, I prepare my vintage porcelain teapot and teacup. Its just not morning to me unless my first sip is from this gorgeous cup I purchased in an antique shop. I preheat my 2-cup teapot by swirling the hot water from my kettle around in the teapot, this ensures the proper steeping of the tea. I add two spoons of loose tea to the teapot’s infuser along with the additional hot water to steep. When ready I remove the infuser and then pour the tea into my teacup and savor every sip - I thrive for two cups if there's time!
The act of drinking tea is a true ritual, from afternoon tea traditions to our conventional morning brews. My ritual sets the tone for the day, it’s a must for me – do YOU have a morning ritual?