Tea Diaries: An Unexpected Traveling Companion

Text and Photography by Amanda Spino

I’ve noticed something rather interesting about my travels. When the adventure is over and I’m packing my bags, I have many of the things you would typically expect: newly cherished photos, a few carefully selected souvenirs, and a mild sunburn from forgetting to bring the sunscreen. But there is another, more unusual acquisition that also accompanies me home: a new favorite tea.

It’s never intentional, but it happens without fail. I always seem to find a tea that perfectly matches the unique atmosphere and mood of whatever place I’m visiting—or perhaps, it’s the tea that finds me? Either way, when exploring a new locale, I am bound to discover a variety of tea that stays with me and becomes a vivid part of my vacation experience.

I first noticed this while visiting Lambertville, New Jersey, a quaint, historic town nestled along the Delaware River. My stay at a local inn was everything you would expect of a picturesque landscape surrounded by acres of farmland and forest. The resident sheep ambled lazily by my bedroom window, their soft bleating a welcome start to each new day. I spent afternoons exploring the town of Lambertville, with its plethora of antique stores housing teapots, ornamental picture frames, and vintage wood furniture.

It’s no wonder that there, in the place where time stood still, I would fall in love with the strong, earthy flavor of Earl Grey tea. Like generations before me, I savored its richness and subtle elegance. Its fragrant leaves invigorated my senses and prepared me for the day’s activities, whispering promises of contentment and relaxation in this river town.

During my next excursion to Lancaster, Pennsylvania, I found a tea that provided comfort, in more ways than one. Traveling through mile upon mile of Amish farmland, admiring the juxtaposition of modern-day cars sharing the road with horse-drawn buggies, I knew I had found a special place. And the food was more than I could have imagined. I ate homemade pretzels, still warm from the oven, and macaroni and cheese, creamier than any I have tasted since. There were decadent desserts— whoopie pies, buttery cakes, and muffins smothered with apple butter—to name just a few. I was in heaven.

But while my tastebuds desired more, my stomach objected. I returned to my inn each evening seeking relief from the discomfort, my penance for overeating. That’s when I found a friend in peppermint tisane. The sweet aromatic scent and soothing effect of the peppermint oil were just what I needed after a long day of culinary indulgence. The simplicity of the infusion, with its natural healing properties, also served as a reminder of those who are so closely tied to the earth and who quietly and peacefully live along the Lancaster countryside.

My most recent tea encounter occurred during my visit to Half Moon Bay, California. It was my first journey to the West Coast, and I was in awe. The very sky was transformed by a golden haze that touched down around me like a warm veil covering the earth. I stood on cliffs overlooking the mighty Pacific, admiring its wildness and untamed beauty. The salty air mixed with the sweet scent of eucalyptus from a grove of nearby trees. I closed my eyes and breathed in its wonder.

Is it any surprise that I should find a tea so closely matching the magic of my surroundings? It was while wandering the streets of downtown Half Moon Bay that I stumbled upon a delightful coffee shop and the tantalizing flavor of chai. The spicy aromatics of fresh cloves and cinnamon provided a warmth almost mirroring the golden haze of the California shoreline. In a town where gold seekers had once flooded the streets in search of material wealth, I had found my treasure in a simple cup.

Sipping these teas today still brings me back to those special moments of my past. Like a living photograph, the scents and smells are imprinted on my mind and forever linked with the memories I made in those places. I look forward to new destinations, where I hope to discover more breathtaking scenery, kindhearted people, and the perfect cup of tea.

Amanda Spino is a freelance writer and librarian residing near the beautiful Chesapeake Bay. She always feels most relaxed when holding a cup of tea.