This column will soon celebrate its third anniversary. What a wonderful three years it has been!

I have shared with you some of the fascinating history of tea which goes back more than 5,000 years. This beverage, second only to water in consumption worldwide, has had significant impact on the political, economic, and social history of the western world. After a slow decline, it has returned as one of the fastest growing industries in the US.

In my travels I have visited tea rooms whenever possible. I have shared with you teas I have enjoyed in New York City; Finlay, Ohio; Bangkok, Thailand; Union, Aiken, and Charleston, South Carolina; Boulder and Denver, Colorado; Siberia, Russia; London, Bath, and the Cotswolds, England; and Perryville, Kentucky.

Part of my mission with this column has been to correct two common misconceptions about tea. First, you never extend the pinkie when holding your teacup. It is considered a sign of elitism.

Second, high tea is neither an elegant nor a dainty affair. That is afternoon tea. High tea is often referred to as the working man’s supper and consists of meat and hearty side dishes. This is true regardless of what large, well–known hotels may call it.

One of the things I have enjoyed most about writing this column is the people with whom I have come in contact. I have had email conversations with Joni Miller, author of the annual Tea Time calendar and with Laura Childs, author of the popular tea mysteries set in Charleston. I have corresponded via email and snail mail with readers around the world. Here in Columbia, strangers have approached me to say how much they enjoy the column. My life has truly been enriched by all of these contacts.

As with all good things, it is time for this column to come to an end – at least temporarily. I will be taking some time away to pursue other interests, mainly my study of piano. I will also continue to be a student of tea and will focus on learning more about the history of tea in SC. There have been tea plantations here since the 18th century and I want to know all about them.

Remember that the essence of tea is peace, and the spirit of tea is hospitality. Continue to calm your life down a bit by having at least a cup of tea each day. Use this special time to put aside the worries of the day and focus on that which is pleasant.

Till we meet for tea,

Linda