Once we understand that the conductor of the tea orchestra is merely an eternal learner who, through constant questioning and a desire to embark on new interactive experiences with everything around him, can create unique compositions, we can formally introduce the members of his orchestra. These elements enable him to create true symphonies.
It's important to note that each of these elements holds equal significance. Therefore, it's crucial to pay the same attention to detail to all of them. However, often due to a lack of understanding about how they can influence the final result, we take them for granted, failing to give them the value they deserve. Today, we will delve deeply into the role of water, the first and most fundamental element in this orchestra.
THE CONNECTION
We introduce this element similarly to how it was addressed in the article "The Chemistry of Flavor: Between Evolution and Misinformation." Klosse (2013) points out that water possesses a crucial property for humans: its polarity. Each water molecule has a positive and negative end; hydrogen carries a positive charge, while oxygen molecules have a negative charge, allowing for the formation of hydrogen bonds.
Klosse (2013) argues that this polarity enables water to form bonds with other polar substances, such as carbohydrates, acids, proteins, and alcohols, making them hydrophilic or, in other words, attracted to water.
Simply put, water acts as our solvent. To enhance our vocabulary and understanding, the Real Academia Española (2023) defines a solvent as "a substance that can dissolve another, forming a homogeneous mixture." In simpler terms, for our context, it allows us to connect all the elements.
Water is more than just facilitating connections between elements; it is constantly present throughout the tea orchestra. It could be said that this is the foundation of the tea symphony; after all, 99.7% of our tea is water.
Erkens (2022) emphasizes that having "the right water" is crucial to enjoying a good cup of tea. Failing to do so can lead to adverse outcomes, such as an unpleasant odor, cloudiness, or even bitter and soapy flavors. The factors influencing these consequences are water hardness and pH.
Water Hardness and pH
Water hardness refers to the amount of minerals it contains, such as calcium and magnesium. These minerals originate from the rocks the water passes through before reaching us. Hardness is measured using a formula that combines the levels of calcium and magnesium present in the water (BRITA, n.d.).
In simple terms, "hard" water has a higher concentration of these minerals, which can affect its taste and quality. Conversely, "soft" water contains fewer minerals, making it better for consumption and household use (BRITA, n.d.).
pH is another measure that indicates how acidic or basic the water is, evaluated by the amount of hydrogen ions present. The pH scale ranges from 0 to 14 and is logarithmic, meaning that each unit change represents a tenfold increase or decrease in acidity or alkalinity. When pH decreases, water becomes more acidic; when it increases, it becomes more basic.
Why does this matter? Changes in pH can affect other substances in the water, influencing its toxicity and making it either more dangerous or safer (Eburres, n.d.).
It's clear that factors like water hardness and pH are often beyond our control. However, whenever possible, we should seek water with a pH around 7, which is neutral, and aim for soft water. This is because calcium and magnesium can complicate and even ruin the creation of our symphony.
Consider homes where faucets often clog without apparent reason, caused by the buildup of calcium and magnesium residues, which block water pathways. In some countries, like Costa Rica, drinking water directly from the tap is safe due to treatment processes. However, there's a high chance that this water is quite hard. So, is bottled water the solution? Yes and no. Depending on the brand, some bottled waters can be heavy or have a high alkaline pH.
If you use bottled water at home, check the labels or search online for the pH and hardness levels by brand. A reliable option is using a special filter to treat the water through salt, hydrogen, or reverse osmosis. Each method has its guidelines and parameters.
Why do we learn about this?
If there's a chance we encounter situations where we can't control the hardness and pH of the water, why do we study this? Or rather, why we consider this topic necessary. Remember, it's essential to understand yourself and your environment. You might have a favorite tea with a flavor you know in detail and wish to share with someone. So, you bring it with you and prepare it; when you serve it, it tastes different, like soap. What happened? Everything seemed fine; you prepared it just as you always do.
Did it spoil along the way? No, it was probably the water you used in the new place you chose to share it.
Though it may seem like a far-fetched scenario from a book, it happens more often than you think. It's quite disappointing when a cup isn't enjoyed as it should be due to improper water. Understanding the role of water allows us to look beyond its mere presence; if a cup doesn't please you, there could be various reasons. But if you know and understand each factor, you can eliminate variables more quickly and efficiently, getting to the root of the problem.
To illustrate the significance of this topic, having covered the role of water, discussing the remaining aspects like water quantity, temperature, infusion time, container type, tea type, amount, and quality, as well as the conductor's preparation style, environment, and guests becomes much more straightforward. All of this is facilitated within the basic framework, as we have grasped the connector of all these elements: water.
What better way to conclude this piece than with a quote from the Tao Te Ching, emphasizing the importance of water? "Nothing in the world is as soft and yielding as water. Yet, to dissolve what is hard and rigid, nothing can surpass it. The soft overcomes the hard; the gentle overcomes the rigid. Everyone knows this is true, but few can put it into practice" (Laozi, 2019). Or, in the words of Bruce Lee: "Be like water making its way through cracks. Empty your mind. Be formless. Shapeless, like water. You put water into a cup, and it becomes the cup. You put water into a bottle, and it becomes the bottle. You put it in a teapot, and it becomes the teapot. Now water can flow, or it can crash. Be water, my friend."
So let us be water in this life. Each element in the tea orchestra has its own role, but water ties everything together and allows the symphony to unfold in all its beauty.
Until next time.
Satoricha ~
References
Klosse, P. (2013). The Essence of Gastronomy: Understanding the Flavor of Foods and Beverages. CRC Press.
BRITA. (n.d.). Qué es la dureza en el agua y cómo te afecta. BRITA. Retrieved 9 29, 2024, from https://www.brita.es/blog/bienestar/dureza-agua?srsltid=AfmBOopzGPqhFVzIAzIkrysvE44Oy9JckdRbm-aVTwCPD4l7XM813dPL
Eburres. (n.d.). Folleto Informativo pH. California Water Boards. Retrieved September 29, 2024, from https://www.waterboards.ca.gov/water_issues/programs/swamp/docs/cwt/guidance/3140sp.pdf
ERKENS. (2022). Tea: Wine's Sober Sibling Hb: Tea. Lannoo N. V., Uitgeverij.
Laozi. (2019). Dao De Jing: The Book of the Way. University of California Press.
Real Acadmemia Española. (2023). solvente | Definición | Diccionario de la lengua española | RAE - ASALE. Diccionario de la lengua española. Retrieved September 29, 2024, from https://dle.rae.es/solvente
Bernadine, & BRITA. (2023, 03 20). Water, a key factor to the perfect tea experience. ESTA. Retrieved 03 29, 2024, from https://specialityteaeurope.com/shop/water-quality-white-paper-water-a-key-factor-to-the-perfect-tea-experience
Comments