The Glocal Book:"The Book of Tea" by Okakura Kakuzou(Tenshin)-No.9

The Taste of Tea

「There is a subtle charm in the taste of tea which makes it irresistible and capable of idealisation. Western humourists were not slow to mingle the fragrance of their thought with its aroma. It has not the arrogance of wine, the self-consciousness of coffee, nor the simpering innocence of cocoa. Already in 1711, says the Spectator:"I would therefore in a particular manner recommend these my specurations to all well-regulated families that set apart an hour every morning for tea, bread and butter; and would earnestly advise them for their good to order this paper to be punctually served up and to be looked upon as a part of the tea-equipage."
Samuel Johnson draws his own portrait as "a hardened and shameless tea-drinker, who for twenty years diluted his meals with only the infusion of the fascinating plant; who with tea amused the evening, with tea solaced the midnight, and with tea welcomed the morning."」
I think Okakura's expression and explanation about the taste of tea are quite excellent.
Yet, I would like to say "Tea has no taste, but has taste." However, no taste doesn't mean just like water. We could drink tea any time with no hesitation. Therfore, as the proverb of Zen, the Zen sect says "Feel free to come and sit down to drink tea." It means to get together to drink tea and to talk freely just like Unsui(a wandering monk in Zen).