There is a belief in tea that we rarely question.
If something costs more, it must be better.
It is an understandable assumption. A rare tea from a respected region, carefully harvested and beautifully packaged, naturally creates expectations. We associate price with effort, craftsmanship, and quality.
And often, that connection is justified.
But not always.
Over the years, I have tasted teas that carried impressive stories. Teas with limited production. Teas from celebrated origins. Teas that arrived with descriptions so detailed that the experience seemed decided before the first sip.
Some were exceptional.
Some were simply not for me.
This is something I have come to appreciate about tea. Price can tell us about the journey of a tea, but it cannot tell us how we will experience it.
A tea’s value is not measured only by rarity or cost.
It is also measured by connection.
A modest tea that accompanies your mornings for years can hold more meaning than an expensive tea that impresses you once and is forgotten.
Perhaps this is where modern tea culture becomes complicated.
We have become very good at identifying what makes a tea valuable on paper. We discuss elevation, harvest seasons, production methods, and scarcity. These details matter, and they help us understand the work behind each cup.
But tea does not exist on paper.
It exists in the moment it is brewed.
The most expensive tea in the world can still be the wrong tea for a quiet afternoon. A simple everyday tea can still become the one you reach for when you need familiarity.
I think this is why tea remains such a personal experience.
Two people can drink the same tea and walk away with completely different impressions. One may notice complexity. Another may simply notice comfort.
Neither is wrong.
Perhaps the mistake is believing that tea appreciation is about finding the most valuable cup.
Maybe it is about finding the cup that feels valuable to you.
There is nothing wrong with exploring rare teas or appreciating exceptional craftsmanship. These are part of what makes tea such a fascinating world.
But we should also remember that tea was never meant to be a measurement of status.
It was meant to be shared, enjoyed, and experienced.
The best tea is not always the one with the highest price.
Sometimes, it is simply the one you are happy to brew again tomorrow.
With quiet regard,
N. P. Lim
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There is a jar on the top shelf of my refrigerator that I did not need this morning. I filled it last night, before the kitchen went dark. Loose tea leaves, cool water, a lid resting loosely on top. Then I closed the door and left it alone, the way you leave bread to rise…
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Milk Tea Isn’t “Ruining” Tea—But Some Milk Tea Is Ruining Milk Tea
I have noticed that few things can start an argument among tea drinkers quite as quickly as milk. Mention adding milk to a good tea and suddenly everyone has an opinion. Some insist that milk covers the flavour of the leaves. Others will tell you that certain teas were practically made for it. I have…
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There Are Always Good Things to Eat at The Marmalade Pantry
The afternoon rain had just eased when I climbed up to Level 4 of ION Orchard, home to the Marmalade Pantry Ion. Outside, Orchard Road was doing its usual thing: too many people, too much noise, everyone somewhere to be in the bustle of the city. Inside, at a corner table, someone was pouring tea…
