You may have heard the saying: we eat first with our eyes. I recently had an experience that underscored that I drink tea with my eyes. But, it’s more complicated than “only” noting the appearance. Let me explain…
I grew up drinking malty black tea with milk. I still really enjoy it from time to time—even more so when the weather gets colder.
Recently, I tried a tea that I *love* and have never had with milk. It was delicious. BUT—did you notice the color in the photo above?
My Disappointed Eyes
The tea looks much lighter than the color of my favorite ratio of milk to tea in the teas that I grew up drinking. (No judgment for how light or dark anyone likes their tea with milk. Absolutely not trying to judge anyone for whom this looks like their perfect cup of tea!)
I could acknowledge the tea tasted very good—much stronger, in fact, than the appearance led me to believe. (I had the regular quantity of tea for me, brewed a long time.) I’m not naming the tea because it isn’t an issue with the tea.
But the tea looked like a disappointing cup of tea the way I grew up drinking tea with milk. I was surprised how much this impacted my experience. I even felt a bit guilty—like I was being superficial because I drink tea with my eyes first.
Remembering Tea Is More Than Taste
This experience reminded me: how I relate to tea is based on my experience, my expectations, and many senses beyond taste. And, I really can’t ignore how the appearance of my tea relates to my experience. I drink tea with my eyes, too, after all.
I don’t know if I’ll try this tea with milk again; however, I’m grateful that tea, once again, has provided me with new insight.
Other Lessons from Tea
Interested in other lessons that tea has taught me? If so, check out these posts that I’ve shared on this topic: