“The first time you share tea with a Balti (Baltistan people), you are a stranger. The second time you take tea, you are an honored guest. The third time you share a cup of tea, you become family, and for our family, we are prepared to do anything, even die.”
-Haji Ali in Three Cups of Tea by Greg Mortenson.
Tea, also known as Chai in the Urdu language, is the most consumed beverage in the Pakistan. Although tea is not ritualized here, as in the case of China or Japan, it is seen as an integral part of Pakistani culture and everyday life at home, work and other social circles. It is usually the first thing Pakistanis drink in the morning, and the first thing offered when you visit a relative in Pakistan.
Street vendors and little Dhabas, selling tea in disposal clay cups with savoury snacks like samosas or biscuits, can be found in every bazaar or roadside picnic spots. In Pakistan, drinking tea has evolved from an addictive practice to a way of socialising and starting off discussions. Whether it is to gossip about your neighbour’s bahu’s cooking, debates over the colour of new curtains in your drawing room or the detailed analysis regarding pertinent socio-political issues, everything begins with a cup of tea. Nowadays, modern tea cafes have added to this tea culture. They have sprung all over Pakistan, inviting prominent academics, intellectuals and literary personalities from different walks of life to become part of this nationwide tea culture.
There are several varieties of tea, but Green tea is one of the most popular ones. Green tea, made of Camellia sinensis leaves, originated in China, but its production has spread to many countries in Asia, including Pakistan. The green tea constitutes of a rich history and even complete books such as Kissa Yojoki by Myoan Eisai are devoted to the explanation of the parts of the green tea plant, its appropriate dosages and most importantly its benefits on the five vital organs.
Furthermore, we can even find numerous legends dedicated to the energising merits of tea. A popular one exists in India about Prince Dharma, who chewed leaves from a tea shrub to gain strength to continue his nine-year mission of preaching Buddhism in China.
Apart from legends, green tea is also responsible for sparking a great deal of excitement in the world of health sciences. Laboratories around the world have contributed to the massive scientific literature on green teas, supporting its positive role in greater longevity and prevention of chronic diseases. It is claimed that green tea constitutes epigallocatechin gallate, a unique flavonoid, which acts against cancer, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, obesity, Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases. Furthermore, the presence of high amounts of polyphenols in green tea also helps in lowering blood pressure and reducing the risk of stroke and coronary heart disease.
Studies show that life-enhancing benefits of green tea extended to the improvement of the brain and urinary functions and prevention of bacterial and viral infections, allergies, arthritis and decreased bone mineral density, among other health concerns. It also improves immunity against cold and flu; plus also cures indigestion, quenches thirst and ends fatigue.
Many studies on Green tea refer to the ‘Asian Paradox’. It has been observed that although Asians exhibit behaviour, such as smoking, that make them more prone to heart diseases and cancer, their rates of such diseases are much lower than others. Sean Eddy, Ph.D., a research associate in biochemistry at Boston University School of Medicine explains that this might be because, in Asia, there is a higher level of consumption of green tea, which helps in protection and prevention from such lethal diseases.
Adding on to this two Japanese studies have also proven that those who drink several cups of green tea daily avoid premature cardiovascular death and live longer than those who consume less green tea.
Now, a simple cup of green tea has also been revolutionised with new interesting ingredients such as ginger, citrus and honey, making it an even more delicious health booster. Whether it is the most exhausting day of our life or you just need to fit in with your dress for the upcoming wedding, a small little teabag of this super drink can do the wonders for you.
Just remember what the famous Zen priest, Myōan Eisai said in his book, Kissa Yojoki: “Tea is the elixir of life.”
