I love tea.
I don’t mind whether it’s green tea, white tea or black tea little else beats a hot, strong cup of tea.
I’ve never really got the heart-pounding, anxiety fueling full-speed-ahead appeal of coffee. The enjoyment is momentary before it simply sends me crazy.
I think my love of tea began at the age of 13, when I began working in The Tea House at College Farm in Finchley North London. It was a remarkable place, run by a truly remarkable woman - former Chanel model and fashion photographer, Su Russell. (There are so many amazing stories I could share but I’ll stick to the point…).
It was housed in a lovingly restored 1930s tea house and had a period (or ‘retro’) style long before it was fashionable; complete with linen table clothes, china tea cups, bent wood furniture and tail-coated waiters. (Yes, that means me!).
I worked there every Sunday afternoon serving freshly made scones, home made strawberry jam and fresh clotted cream delivered from Devon by train every Friday. Accompanied, of course, by a variety of the best loose leaf teas from around the world. (We also kept a stash of PG Tips for those who only loved a cup of ‘builders brew’.)
As you know, in later years I have come to love meditation as much as I love my cups of tea. So, imagine my excitement at being asked to partner with the wonderful Brew+Bear, Sheffield's new eco friendly tea service.
Their beautiful and original idea is that when you subscribe to their tea home delivery service you can enjoy your cuppa with a side helping of mental health wellbeing.
So, they provide the highest quality loose leaf tea and I provide the weekly meditations to listen to whilst you wait for the kettle boil and your tea to brew.
I like to think of it as ‘thirst aid for the soul.’
The service will be launching soon, you can sign up and find out more at www.brewandbear.co.uk