How to enjoy Tea without appropriating it
Let’s not do to tea what we did to yoga
I’ll be honest — I’ve really struggled with how to approach this topic.
As someone who loves tea and wants to engage with it deeply and respectfully, I often feel lost. I ask myself:
Am I saying the right things? Am I doing this wrong? Am I allowed to learn this?
There’s a fear of unintentionally crossing lines. Of loving something that isn’t “mine.” Of getting it wrong even when I mean well.
But I’ve come to believe that this discomfort is part of the practice. And it’s worth sitting with — because tea has so much to give.
Just like yoga, I believe tea has the power to bring joy, peace, and real value into our lives here in the West. Whether it’s your daily cup of chai, a quiet moment with matcha, or learning a new tea practice — almost every form of tea enjoyment holds something good.
But that doesn’t mean we should make it too easy for ourselves.
What happened to yoga?
Yoga is one of the most visible examples of how a sacred, culturally-rooted practice can be commercialized and flattened into a trend.
It went from spiritual discipline to gym class. From lineage to lifestyle brand. Many South Asian voices were sidelined, while their culture was sold back to them — rebranded in pastel packaging.
And now, we’re seeing a similar trajectory with tea.
The risk of flattening tea culture
Tea isn’t just a wellness ritual or minimalist aesthetic. It’s a living part of cultures around the world — from Chinese gongfu cha, to Japanese chanoyu, to Indian chai, to Moroccan mint tea ceremonies.
These are practices shaped by history, spirituality, colonialism, and resilience.
When we remove that context, we risk turning tea into “just a vibe.”
We risk:
Using sacred or traditional practices without honoring their roots
Profiting from something without supporting those who preserved it
Reducing culture to consumption
But we don’t have to go down that path.
Tea can be both joyful and respectful
This isn’t about shame or gatekeeping. It’s not about avoiding tea rituals unless you’ve mastered their history.
It’s about meeting tea with intention.
It's about letting the joy and beauty deepen when we understand where it comes from.
How to enjoy tea more consciously
Learn about the tea you love
Where does it come from? What are its traditional forms? What histories shaped its journey?
Learning adds richness to your practice.
Use thoughtful language
Avoid terms that exoticize or oversimplify (“oriental blend,” “zen moment,” etc.). Instead, use the correct names and honor the context.
Support the right people
Buy from BIPOC-owned businesses, directly sourced tea brands, and makers from the cultures the tea comes from. Representation matters — and so does who profits.
It’s not about being perfect. It’s about being present.
Yes, it can feel uncomfortable. Yes, there’s nuance. But that's the point.
Let’s not avoid the complexity — let’s sit with it. Just like we sit with our tea.
The more we listen, the more we learn. And the more we learn, the more connected — and grounded — our relationship with tea can become.
If this resonates...
I wrote this because I care deeply about how we hold space for cultural practices in a world that often rushes to turn everything into content or commerce.
If you’re curious to learn more about tea culture, the history of tea’s global journey, or how to respectfully integrate ritual into your life — I’d love to share more soon.
Feel free to share your thoughts on this with me via e-mail or instagram.
Let’s keep sipping — slowly, respectfully, and with love.