The art of tea: Lessons from a Nepali princess
In a reflective column on the fine art of tea, local writer Kiru Naidoo reminisces about his student days in England and the lessons learned from a Nepali princess. From the luxury of London's Fortnum & Mason to the humble Joko tea boiled by his late grandmother in Durban, Naidoo explores nostalgia, family heritage, and the rituals that make life sweet.
Tea holds a special place in the heart of a Nepali princess who once shared her wisdom about the beverage with a writer. Black, strong, and sweet tea was the princess's favorite, and she insisted that milk and tea should never mix. She had a melodic English name, Rosie, given to her by their mutual friends, and she taught the writer to sip tea slowly and savor its finer nuances.
The writer and the princess visited Fortnum & Mason in London every second Saturday to purchase a quarter pound of Earl Grey tea, which cost £5.20 during their student days. The writer's grandmother, Kanniamma Govindarajulu, was a matriarch who had passed away but inspired the writer to build a temple in her honor. The princess's teaching about tea remains relevant even today, as the writer reflects on her lessons while sipping tea at a local café.
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