Michelle Wiklund
‘Twas days before Christmas and all through the house, Timewalkers were stirring but, thank goodness, no mouse!
The tables were set, the cups placed with care, the tea brewing softly, beckoning friends to be there! We laughed and we ate, and we sipped tea, too, until finally we parted, hailing “Merry Christmas to You!”
Members and guests of the Catalina Timewalkers enjoyed the annual tradition of Christmas Tea in December at the home of Monique Salviejo. The scattering of pine cones, Christmas vignettes in red and gold, and trees decorated in green and white evoked the atmosphere of a magical forest, setting the scene for a lesson on the history of tea.
Facts:
• In 2737 BC Emperor Shen Nung of China discovered green tea. While resting outdoors, a few leaves from a wild tree wafted into his pot of boiling water. Noticing the change in color, he was enchanted by its delicate flavor and calming effect.
• During the Tang Dynasty, 618-907, Japanese Buddhist scholars visiting China fell in love with the drink and instantly welcomed it into their culture, eventually creating the now-famous Japanese tea ceremonies.
• In Europe, it was the Portuguese in the 1500s who first discovered tea after missionaries and merchants who lived in Asia brought tea home as a gift. It was the Dutch who saw the commercial potential, igniting the trade market for tea.
• The British, famed for their tea consumption, didn’t take to drinking tea until Charles II married the Portuguese Catherine of Braganza in 1662. Tea parties developed in the late 1830s when Queen Victoria’s friend Anna Russel, Duchess of Bedford, began requesting a tray of tea and sandwiches in the late afternoon. The duchess often invited others to join her for afternoon tea; thus, the custom became a tradition!
• Today, tea is still the most widely used ancient beverage in the world. Drinking tea is valued for its many varieties and its pleasant taste. It refreshes both the body and mind and soothes the soul, especially during the Christmas season!
The history of tea, description of worldwide varieties, interesting tea facts, and even a Tea Trivia game were presented by Monique. Post presentation and business meeting, co-hostesses Alice Dahl, Debbie Muise, and Harriet Shemer served a delicious buffet of soup, holiday pastries, Christmas cookies, and delicious candies. Of course, various selections of teas were provided, served in beautiful China teacups! Guests enjoyed dining tables bedecked with gorgeous linens, candles, Christmas China, and sparkling glassware.
Interested in joining the Catalina Timewalkers chapter of Questers? Meetings are held on the third Friday of the month, October through May, 2024-2025. For membership information, email Kathryn Martin at [email protected].
Arizona Questers’ purpose, mission, and vision can be found at www.azquesters.org.
Upcoming events can be viewed at www.azquesters.org/news-and-events:
Arizona Merci Train Boxcar 75th Anniversary Lecture Series, February 2025