Thursday 12 November 2015

6 Must Visit Tea festivals around the world


Tea looks Calm
https://www.pinterest.com/pin/299137600222025554/


It was a perfect morning today unlike other days when I am preoccupied by too many things. Maybe the video of 'School of Life' on Rikyu who explored the role of a cup of tea for calm life changed my mindset. The idea that the Japanese tea ceremony and 'wabi sabi' brings forth; appreciation of simplicity and acceptance of imperfection in life is the inevitable beautiful truth! I seemed to enjoy my tea differently today; dive into the unique flavours and fragrance that filled the room with tranquillity. All I thought was nothing but only this moment; my being at this very moment. I suddenly realised how much I wanted to make a list of the best tea festivals around the world that I can visit to experience tea culture and history that is so underrated! We are the tea lovers who are proud of its rich colourful history and unique cultural tradition around the world which has allured admirers throughout centuries. 

Tea has been enjoyed as a popular beverage since 2000 years and there are several festivals around the world that encourage the experience of exclusive culture of tea. The word has derived several connotations and served as a romantic getaway in history to exotic places. People are looking for unique travel experiences and if you are looking for unusual ideas and experiences to try then tea festivals are worth it! It is a classic experience that can be cherished and remembered as an exotic outing. Here goes my list that I have pinned down on my board! 


Found on scribblescrabblescrawl.wordpress.com

6. Tea World Festival
Where: Seoul, Korea
When: June
This festival has become popular as the largest tea exhibition in Korea. The festival consists of events, performances and tea brewing ceremony. The festival began in 2003 and has been a tourist attraction for all these years. There are several themes explored in the Tea festival that lets tea enthusiasts grasp the essence of oriental tea culture. People can taste exotic tea from all around the world and learn the art of brewing tea which is considered an essential part in the oriental culture! Tea lovers can also shop for tea equipments, tea products and attractive tea crafts at the festival. It is a must visit festival for every tea lover who is planning to visit Seoul.
World Tea FestivalFound on budgettravelerssandbox.com 


5. World O-CHA (Tea) Festival
Where: Shizuoka, Japan
When: May
Shizuoka is considered as the Tea capital and it will be 6th World O-CHA Tea festival in 2016. The festival aims to create a unique tea culture and experience. The festival encourages people to be moved by 5 senses while experiencing tea. The Japanese Tea art has been appreciated all around the world and there is an increasing curiosity around it. The festival has several events like music to help people discover the harmony in tea experience. It aims to bring a healing space for people to experience tea ceremony with all their senses. There were around 28 countries that participated in the 4th World O-CHA festival. Your family can enjoy the charm of tea in a harmonious way in the tea capital Shizuoka. There are several events like tea tasting, blending and a unique tea ceremony. There are baking demos organized along with workshops that can be enjoyed by the kids too. They will totally love the exquisite desserts served to them.

World O-CHA FestivalFound on imperialfamilyjapan.wordpress.com


4 Tea & Tourism Festival
Where: Ooty, India
When: January every year
The three day tea festival in the tea hills is very popular in India. The festival has dance and music along with other cultural activities. It is a popular tourist destination for families because of the serene Blue Mountains that cultivate ‘Nilgiri’ tea. It is a scenic tiny hill station that becomes a popular tourist destination every winter for the tea festival. The festival is popular for its tour to the tea gardens, safaris, cultural activities, music and delicious food. The place is festival is organized amidst the scenic rivers. The festival serves special tea from different parts of the world. You will be treated to exotic tea and get an opportunity to interact with the locals in the hills. There are several cultural activities associated with the tea festival which includes interesting carnival, music and dance festivals. The festival is organized amidst the dense forest and natural scenic location that brings the charm of tea ceremony alive!
Lost in absolute bliss
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Scenic Hills of OotyFound on travelpackage-india.blogspot.in



3. Teesta Tea festival
Where: Darjeeling, India
When: November every year
The tea festival is celebrated on a grand scale in the hilly areas of Darjeeling that has splendid stretch of tea gardens. There are many tourists and locals who gather at the tea festival from distant places. Darjeeling has scenic beauty and cold climate that serves as a perfect getaway for Tea culture experience. The festival has unique experiences like food carnival, film festival and toy train ride that are important tourist attractions apart from the tea ceremony. Tea is rightly called the “Champagne of the east” in Darjeeling as the tea flavours are unique and exotic. It is a treat for every tea lover to witness the grandiose tea festival. You will get the opportunity to take a tour of the tea gardens and taste exotic variety of special Darjeeling tea.
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Mystic beauty
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2. Sydney Tea Festival
Where: Sydney, Australia
When: August every year
If you are looking for a contemporary tea experience in Australia then it is time to discover the best artisanal teas. The tea festival celebrates specialty loose leaf tea in specially organized tea ceremonies, food pairing and workshops on tea basics. It is an interesting festival if you are looking to discover the history and benefits of different tea variants around the world. There are unique activities like tea meditation and tea dessert pairing if you are looking for unique workshops. There are tea art contests, appraisals, tea auctions, fairs and tea art talks organized for the tea lovers.

Sydney Tea FestivalFound on makerssociety.com.au


1. Tea Festival Jorhat
Where: Jorhat, India
When: November every year
The tea festival of Jorhat is organized in the northeastern state of Assam in India which is situated amidst extensive tea gardens and forms the backbone of tea industry in India. The tea festival is an exciting festivity for warm and traditional experience for the family. Several music festivals, sports and cultural activities are organized for the tourists. People can also taste traditional food items and several new variants of tea. River rafting and other adventure sports can also be enjoyed by the family. The festival serves special tea from different parts of the world. It is a must visit if you like an unusual tea festival experience amidst the natural environment.
https://www.pinterest.com/pin/80290805827758158/




Friday 6 November 2015

Chicken Sweet Potato Soup Please!



Chiang Mai beauty


Mornings that rob my heart

Lost in Wilderness



There is something so comforting about food and I have never been particularly fond of 'taste of my country food', I have always been open to appreciate cuisines and traditional recipes from different parts of the world. There are certain flavours that stay with you and make you feel like you have found home. I experienced this when I was visiting one of my best friends in Thailand and she decided to take me to Chiang Mai where we stayed with a wonderful family. I was in love with Chiang Mai the minute I stepped my foot there; there are few places that get etched in our memory and always stay with us! Chiang Mai was my place; it was the place that I fell in love with the minute I opened my eyes after the flight journey. I am usually a very hopelessly talkative person but the journey from the airport to the friend's place was the quietest one in my life! I was so engrossed staring outside the car that my friend who was with her boyfriend thought I am trying to give them space. Well all I was doing was embracing this beautiful place like a long lost lover. The beautiful mountains and scenic beauty had enamoured my senses and I promised myself to buy a house here after few years. It was like being in a trance and Chiang Mai had all my attention!

Chiang Mai Sunset


There was something magical about not only this place but also the people who were so humble and welcoming. The family of my friend's boyfriend were extremely down to earth and kind people. A place is known by its people and no wonder Chiang Mai had a sense of pure innocent beauty that made me fall in love with it every single day! I fell sick the following day with fever and I had terrible menstrual cramps. The family made chicken sweet potato soup for me and I did not know how to tell the mother that I was trying to be vegetarian for few months now. Well I could not even dare to say no to the kind mother who had made the perfect soup on this planet. The minute the hot soup was placed in front of me, I was drawn to the authentic aroma that was an eclectic mix of herbs and spices. The lingering aroma of sweet potato had filled the room and the coriander leaves had already made me feel at peace. Thai chicken sweet potato soup has been the best soup ever that managed to make me feel so happy and relaxed that I forgot all about my cramps. When I heard food lovers talk about food orgasm I had no idea what a relaxing effect it has on the mind! This soup actually made me realise there is something so beautiful and relaxing about good food that you forget about all the pain in your body. It did not have any overpowering flavours but pure earthly flavours that are really difficult to find. I managed to get the special recipe of Thai chicken sweet potato soup from my thai friend. I am sure every person would love to try it. I was told that there are some secret ingredients added in the authentic Chiang Mai recipe; feel free to mention them in the comments section. 

Recipe of Thai Chicken Sweet Potato Soup

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/380061656027995049/

1 tsp rapeseed oil
2 garlic cloves
1 red chilli
2 cm root ginger
1 stalk lemon grass
25 gm coriander leaves
2 tsp red thai curry paste
1 cup coconut milk
750 ml chicken stock
2 chicken breasts
500 gm sweet potatoes
1 lime
1 tsp sugar
Half tsp fish sauce

Method

Heat the oil in a large saucepan and add chopped garlic, ginger, chilli, lemon grass and coriander. Add curry paste and cook for 2 to 3 minutes. Add coconut milk, chopped sweet potatoes and chicken stock. Cook until the potatoes turn soft and cook well. Remove the stalk of lemon grass then blend the mixture until smooth otherwise mash it; depending on the way you like the consistency of the soup. Add chicken pieces to the soup and let it cook for 10 to 12 minutes. Add lime juice, sugar and fish sauce to the soup. Garnish it with coriander and the authentic soup is ready! 

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