JACKSONVILLE, Fla.-- One small self-proclaimed zen room, located inside a locally owned vegan restaurant called House of Leaf and Bean, holds a traditional Chinese tea ceremony almost every Sunday. The tea ceremony held here is more than just sampling hot beverages, it's about the history behind the ceremonies and the tradition that continues to open minds. 

Traditional tea ceremonies can date back to as far as 1200 years ago in China.(Rotaru) Drinking tea started as accommodating medicinal benefits. Without modern medicine, herbal remedies were the cure. Monks also used tea ceremonies for their peaceful effects and as a sign of respect for nature.(Rotaru) 

As time and science progressed, tea ceremonies became less about the healing value and more about the societal aspect. "Chinese tea ceremony was born as a result of the respect for nature and need for peace which the religious ceremonies involved. The philosophies of Confucianism, Taoism and Buddhism have blended together giving birth to the magical Chinese tea ceremony." (Rotaru) Ceremonies are now held to mark a special occasion, such as a wedding or birth, or for one to become more in tune with nature and find peace.

Each step of the traditional ceremony holds meaning. The way the tea is poured, the quality of water, the location, and the attitude all have a purpose and deep-rooted tradition. 

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Wen Raiti is the owner and operator of House of Leaf and Bean.

The ceremonies at Raiti's restaurant are what she calls an Americanized tea

ceremony since she talks throughout the process rather than the traditional way

of being held in silence. 

Raiti starts by preparing the secluded room in the restaurant for a relaxed setting.

She closes the door from the outside world and boils the water for the tea.

While the water is being prepped, she asks participants to close their eyes

and breathe; to breathe out the worries of the day and focus on the good.

Once everyone is relaxed, she takes the hot water and pours it over the tea

table to "awaken" the set for the ceremony. The tea leaves, held in ceramic jars,

are shown to everyone to observe and inhale its earthy aromas. The water is

poured to steep the tea and let is flavors truly be revealed. 

Raiti tells how using both hands to pour and to drink the tea is standard. It is

shown as a sign of respect the same way that clasping both hands together

and bowing shows honor. The tea is poured and the host serving drinks first.

This is a tradition that goes back to ensuring emperors or high powers were not being poisoned from the drink.The tea is to be sipped using both hands and the host replenishes the cup until the kettle is empty. 

The ceremony is more than just holding traditions from thousands of years ago, it's about bettering oneself. Different types of tea have different types of benefits when drinking them consistently. Green tea has been proven to help "diminish effects of aging, cancerous cells, and inflammation"(Krisada) White tea is known to "reduce fatigue, lung, and digestive disorders." (Krisada) Black tea can help "regulate cholesterol and reduce the likelihood of cardiovascular diseases" (Krisada) Oolong tea can improve metabolism.(Krisada) Dark tea can help with "controlling cholesterol, high blood pressure, hypoglycemia, and weight issues." (Krisada)
Tea can teach patience. There are health benefits to drinking it, but it takes time.

 

Raiti says, "It's not really a magic pill. It's a lifestyle, you can do something different. Food is medicine. Tea is medicine." 

                                                          Beyond realizing the benefits of tea takes time, the ceremony opens                                                                  eyes to the way other companies are making their products. Raiti                                                                    sources her tea from an organic farmer on the Huangliyang mountain                                                              in China. She took two flights and drove hours to get to the remote                                                                  location for her tea leaves, ensuring it's quality for her customers. Raiti                                                              holds a high standard for the food and drinks she serves but believes a                                                            vast majority doesn't hold the same value.

 

                                                         "I say, you know, 98% of people [are] selling bad food or drink. Only                                                              2% of people [are] trying to do good", said Raiti. 

 
                                                         The tea ceremonies held at House of Leaf and Bean is a time of                                                                        learning. The ceremony, along with Raiti's wise words, teaches                                                                       patience, culture, and to observe the world.

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                                                         The ceremony lets participants learn of other traditions, something Raiti

                                                         finds important:"Every culture has their own strength. Our culture, we                                                               have strength. We also have a lot of weakness. We all have to improve. 

                                                         We are a unique situation in this country. We have so many people                                                                 from all over, pretty much every nation. We can learn from each other                                                             rather than fighting." 

                                                         Most of all, the one hour of time provided in this zen room gives                                                                     someone the opportunity to reflect and relax.