Tea
Tea is a loose, catch-all term for any aromatic beverage that is prepared by adding an herbaceous ingredient to hot water. The specific ingredient varies from planet to planet, depending on the natural climate and ecology, and there is no universal recipe for what can be classed as ‘tea’. There are hundreds, if not thousands, of variations of tea, though few can be said to have gained prominence on the interstellar level, mostly due to the flow of consumerism and capitalism. Tea is consumed by individuals across all cultures, some philosophers pointing out how the different flavors often mirror the people that created it.
Contents
Overview
Tea ingredients are typically harvested at plantations, be it leaves, herbs, spices or fruits. The cultivation process varies on the type of ingredient being cultivated, as well as the local climate. The ingredients are then boiled in hot water and stirred, adding sweeteners and/or milk, where appropriate. The exact taste of tea also varies, ranging from bitter to sweet, and everything in between. Iced tea is a common variant of the typical recipe, with the Quafe corporation offering a vast selection of many different flavors alongside their wider drinks range.
Although tea does not have the same level of cultural stock universally (with the Caldari taking a divine approach to the beverage), it is very common for the drink to be offered to guests visiting households, or provided in staff rooms and at public functions. In some cultures, it is highly insulting to be welcomed into a home and not be offered a cup (or glass) of tea. Otherwise, tea is drunk for a variety of different reasons, from ceremonial to recreational purposes.
By culture
Amarr
Typical Amarr tea has its origins from the Udorians, who cultivated tea leaves from the tropical and subtropical regions on Athra. When the Udorian states were conquered, the Amarr adopted tea cultivation and consumption into their culture, using Udorian slaves in tea plantations. Drinking tea thus became a symbol of power and wealth amongst Imperial Holders, which has permeated Amarr culture since.
Athra tea is bitter, but can be sweetened to taste, making it accessible to many drinkers. Due to the qualms other empires have against slavery, tea from Amarr Prime itself is generally not sold outside of the Empire. Instead, independent Amarr companies often cultivate the tea leaves themselves, without using slaves, before it is exported.
Ni-Kunni tea uses spices from their homeworld in its preparation. It is only really consumed on Mishi IV, and in Ni-Kunni communities in the Gallente Federation.
Caldari
Traditional Caldari tea is prepared from the leaves of the kresh trees that can be found in the Kaalakiota Peaks on Caldari Prime, the home of the precursors of the modern Caldari known as the Raata. It has a strong and very bitter taste, and is an integral part of traditional Caldari culture. Practices like the Tea Maker Ceremony, for example, are carried out by citizens and corporate heads alike, used as a form of divine judgement with potentially lethal consequences. Kresh tea is thus regarded as divine amongst the Caldari, with other styles of tea from abroad being given alternative names within State borders.
As the Caldari have not had easy access to the Kaalakiotas in recent times, they instead cultivate the kresh leaves on New Caldari Prime and in specially-designed greenhouse modules in space. These leaves are regarded as not any less divine than the ones found on the original homeworld, justified by the significance that the exodus had on Caldari culture. That said, tea made from original kresh leaves from Caldari Prime is treasured highly, and is not to be drunk lightly. Imitations of kresh tea exist outside of the State, often sitting alongside other commercialized recipes.
Achura
Inhabiting their own cultural bubble within the wider State, Achura tea is prepared from the leaves of evergreen trees on Saisio III, as was done on Caldari Prime. It is typically consumed by the monks, stargazers and inventors of the various monastic orders found across the homeworld, for primarily meditative and stimulative reasons. The religious stock the Achura put in tea played a notable part in forging relations with the Caldari as another point of cultural similarity. Tea of the Achura is not as bitter or strong as kresh tea, and it is also not sweetened by additional ingredients.
Gallente
The modern Gallente, not culturally bound to any particular planet, enjoy a wide range of teas from across the cluster. That said, as far as original Luminaire culture is concerned, tea from Gallente Prime is prepared with the many herbs and berries that can be found in the marshlands, creating a wide range of recipes. Lilies, an important part of Gallente folk medicine, are valued highly and cultivated from these marshlands, and were enjoyed by upper class Rouvenor-era citizens and nobles in afternoon tea parties. The concept of a “tea party” in the modern Federation was derived from this practice, although attendees no longer indulge in teas from just Gallente Prime.
Overall, Gallente marsh, berry and lily tea is generally sweet, with honey mixed in instead of sugar. As the Gallente often prefer experimenting with the products of other cultures, Luminaire teas are not as popular as Intaki or Jin-Mei variants, despite the relative similarities with the latter.
Intaki
Intaki tea uses spices from their tropical homeworld, and is milky, with a very high amount of sugar. It is served in small cups, and its extremely sweet taste has made it somewhat distinct, giving it a unique status amongst other forms of tea. It is sold from stalls located in rural villages, or cities and stations with a sizable Intaki population. Vending machines in the Federation that serve hot beverages such as tea and coffee often include Intaki sweet tea in their selection.
A unique type of Intaki tea is drunk most notably by the Idamas, the religious leaders of the Intaki. It is cultivated from a plant known as the ‘dadaayaa’, which is toxic when uncured and can only be grown on the Intaki homeworld. Dadaayaa can be blended into a tea or a thick potent coffee, and is consumed by the Ida for the effects of providing an elevated state of awareness and perception.
Jin-Mei
The agricultural homeworld of the Jin-Mei in Lirsautton is noteworthy for its exotic level of biodiversity. As a result, there are several recipes of Jin-Mei tea, which they have gladly commercialized at the interstellar level. The flavors are broadly categorized according to color, which include but are not limited to red, yellow, white, green, black and blue teas. The flavors of these teas vary from bitter to sweet. Generally, when teas are named by color, it is Jin-Mei teas that are being referred to, which is sold at most stations in the cluster.
Minmatar
The Minmatar are not regarded as tea drinkers enough to the point of pushing their recipes to the fore. However, the exception comes with Vherokior medicinal herbs, which has notable hallucinogenic qualities. Infused with boiling water to become an aromatic beverage, Vherokior herbal teas are very popular amongst the Minmatar and Gallente youth. Medical authorities have tried and failed to class the herbs as narcotic, due to its medicinal benefits, although it is generally not sold by any commercial entities. Instead, the herbs can be purchased from Vherokior apothecaries in both the Republic and Federation.