Put A Kettle On:
Etiquette & Traditions of Tea Time
in China, India & Japan

One of the best ways to immerse in the culture wherever your travels take you is by taking a seat at a local table. And while coffee might dominate the global hot beverage spotlight, tea time holds a treasured place all its own in many countries around the world.

The ritual of preparing, offering and drinking tea is particularly integral to social etiquette and life in such countries as China, India and Japan, where tea time comes with its own rites and rules worth getting to know — even if you’re just passing through during ports of call in cities like Shanghai, Hong Kong, Mumbai, Tokyo and Osaka. Ready to raise a cup and drink it all in? Read on for how to deepen your next tea experience with new friends on your travels.