he iconic image of the geriatric teetotaler has greatly changed over the years. It has aggressively transformed from its bourgeois, high tea society image into more hip zones with the popularity of beverages like chai. Tea in yet another form has been part of the hard-to-penetrate tween-dom for some time now - with the still-hot bubble tea.

Tea has become, to a certain degree, the new black - or green or oolong or bubble or even macha, for that matter. Even the big chains have jumped on the chai and macha bandwagon in the most hostile way. This summer, Starbucks has been selling the virtues of Macha green tea; but really, when you add a melon flavoured syrup and make it a Frappé, are there any health benefits left? Or was that ever the point?

How is it, then, that tea has been accepted into the main stream?

Treat tea like everything else in your heavily-accessorized hipster life

Is it simply about the sheer variety of styles, shapes, and colours available? Tea’s roots in China and India have transplanted it to the new world along with the immigration of those cultures, and the reintegration of the early colonialists.

The health benefits alone have turned many a soda or latte drinker into a teetotaler. The popularity of yoga and spa treatments pairs perfectly with teas as part of a healthy lifestyle. Tea contains antioxidants called flavonoids (which are also found in red wine, dark chocolate and blueberries to name just few fun flavonoid indulgences that aid in lowering bad cholesterol, and reduce the risks of heart problems and cancer.

Toronto exploded with the Bubble tea craze, but has sadly few authentic teahouses, like The Red Tea Box on Queen St. My prediction is that it won’t be long before Hogtown embraces tea in a sexy and stylish format, like Vancouver’s Infuze, or the Moby-owned Teany in Manhattan’s LES.

Still hesitant or have preconceived notions? It’s like wine, once you’ve acquired a taste for it and for certain varieties, there’s no going back. You need to find a beverage that suits you and is to your liking, and never let others dictate what is good or what you should like.

Treat tea like everything else in your heavily accessorized hipster life; variety is the spice of life. Hot, cold, weak, strong, sweet or creamy, just give something new a chance.

How cool is tea? It’s up to you, at this point. - B.S.


Trend Watch

Do's

Check out wines from southern Italy in particular Sicily, Apulia, Calabria and Campania. Some of the grape varieties you will encounter are Primativo (di Manduria), Nero D’Avola, Salice Salentino, Negra Amaro. These are generally great value, interesting wines and usually under $10.

Dont's

French Rabbit “Boxed wines.” After trying the Cabernet and Chardonnay and I wouldn’t recommend wasting another penny to try the Merlot. Just because they offer the “Box” in one litre format for the same price as the 750ml glass bottle doesn’t make it go down any easier.