“Would you like an adventure now, or shall we have our tea first?” – J.M. Barrie

Beneath this simple question from the classic fictional tale of Peter Pan, lies the eternal dilemma of every tea-loving traveller — the answer is tea, of course, but what kind of adventure allows a good cup of tea?

Since teas served on the plane and hotel baskets may not always live up to our expectation, the comfort from a cup of tea is as far as the home itself.

We believe that four simple steps can help you achieve that moment of quiet and relaxation, be it an overnight business trip or a month-long tour.

Carry Your Collection of Teabag Packs

Why depend on the unknown when you can take along your favourite curation of teas from home?

You can replace loose leaf teas with muslin teabags — they are lightweight, eco-friendly teabags perfect for a tea lover, traveller.

If you are unsure about which teas to pick, there is an assortment of gourmet teabags that are just what you need. A cup of your favourite black tea, from Assam to English Breakfast, with or without milk and sugar is ideal for those early morning pick-me-ups.

For an afternoon leisurely sip, a lovely mélange of Green teas will perk you up like no other. And if you crave for something delicious and flavourful to accompany your meal, opt for caffeine-free Dessert teas on the likes of lemon cake, tiramisu and apple strudel. For a true-blue Indian who can never part with the Masala Chai, there is a delightfully deep and dense spiced tea blend.

Make the Best with What You Get

We know it’s not easy when you are not able to prepare your tea the way you want in a hotel room, but let’s make the best of it. Most hotels have an electric kettle which nicely takes care of your morning cup. Boil water, submerge a teabag of your choice and soak it till your preferred strength of tea, and add milk and sugar.

In case there is no kettle available in the hotel room, but a coffee maker, we suggest, avoid the coffee maker for brewing your tea as it will make your tea taste like old coffee. Ask the hotel to bring you some hot water, preferably in a flask. This way you not only get truly warm water but as flask hold more quantity of water than a cup, you can also get to enjoy more of your favourite tea.

Get Infuser Flasks and Steeping Mugs

Ball infusers are very handy for steeping loose-leaf tea. However, if you are a regular traveller or constantly on the road, it makes sense to buy a flask or mug that comes with a removable metallic infuser basket inside it. They are durable and come with a lid to keep the tea warm ideal for those roadtrips. You can also go for compact borosilicate glass carafes which, though need a bit of care, look very chic.

Pour in a Decent Cup

A tea person not only needs a perfect brew but is also particular about the cup or mug it is served in. Sipping tea in a plastic travel mug or a metal one doesn’t give the same tea-drinking pleasure as porcelain one does. A good solution is to carry a sturdy mug or cup from home. Better still, purchase one during the trip; it can serve as a good souvenir too. We would recommend something without handles as it packs easily.

…and you’re all set!

The next time you are on an adventurous road trip or find yourself in a coffee-drinking European nation, you can avoid asking the classic to tea or not to tea and enjoy your cup of Assam, Darjeeling or your favourite Tisanes, brewed up from your collection of tea.