Recently as I was looking at Chanteas website, I noticed something in their description of the Tie Guan Yin they are selling:
“In doing our tea ceremonies, we’ve found that women are especially drawn to Tie guan yin. This could be because of the floral notes and the tea’s delicate nature.”
I read it once and then again. It’s not often I come across tea descriptions suggesting one type appeals more to one gender than another. I’m not disputing that more women than men liked their tea, I’m just fascinated by this being mentioned in the sales blurb. More precisely; in the “aroma” section. I guess it’s meant to gently guide my wavering mind. This tea has earned a seal of female approval; they are women, I’m a woman so chances are I’ll like this too? Righty ho. That’s easy then. Well, assuming there is such a thing as a tea inherently attractive to women.
For clarification Chanteas offers that it’s those “floral” notes and the “delicate” nature that predisposes us girls to liking this tea. Oh, it could be boys, it could be. That makes perfect sense – in a convoluted sort of way. If you think all women favor things that smell of bouquets like; bars of soap. Well, I do like flowers, so maybe there’s more to this theory than I care to admit. Trouble is, I also like things that don’t smell of roses at all, let’s say the smell of the wet earth in the woods after rain.
As to the “delicate” issue, why would women like a tea more because it’s rather fragile? Is this because we too are dainty little damsels? Or because we like to nurture those fine little leaves?
I am left to ponder, am I more attracted to a tea with a delightful bloomy fragrance, or one with a heavy, earthy sort of smell? What gives when it comes to tea? Do we genderize our tea leaves? As a woman, do you prefer your leaves light and delicate, or heavy and strong? And what about you men? Smokey Lapsang over this “girly” Tie Guan Yin? Does your sexuality matter when it comes to tea?
For the record, I don’t think of Tie Guan Yin as a “girly” tea. The Iron Goddess of Maiden would cry out loud. I’ve never thought it mightn’t appeal to men as much as women. I’m not surprised more women liked this tea but only because I didn’t have any expectations to begin with. I don’t have a hypothesis that women favor certain teas, let alone those that are delicate. I’m not sure I even understand why women would relate to dainty teas more. If anything, wouldn’t I want a strong cup of tea to keep me warm?
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