Since I can remember, entering
December meant visiting the lovely tea shop in my hometown. I guess it has
something to do with the cold and the snow, and the comfort of a good cup of
tea on long, dark evenings.
My
favorite tea shop is locate right next to the market square, where the Christmas
fair is held. This is one of the reasons why buying tea in December became my
private tradition, without which Christmas simply could not happen. Since I
always make a point of not shopping at the fair until 6th December,
passing through the square to get to the tea shop, was always a great excuse to
glimpse the lights and decorations.
Christmas
fair aside, visiting the shop is a treat on its own. As soon as you enter the
tiny space, you are surrounded by the unmistakable aroma of thousand exotic
flavors. Different teas are stored in large metal tins stacked from floor to
ceiling and beautiful china fills glass counters. It is one of those places
that transport you to a different era…
And
then there is the Advent tea – the whole point of the visit. I christened it
Christmas tea, and, even more often, I call it Christmas tree by mistake, but
the actual name is more than appropriate.
It
smells of spices, wrapping paper, baubles and snow. It’s the elixir that makes
you believe in Santa; the essence of December, the preparations and longing for
Christmas.
Needless
to say, I was over the moon, when I found this little brown bag of magic in care
package from home. It saved the Christmas!
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