His guests found it fun to watch him make tea -- mixing careful spoonfuls from different caddies.

I am so fond of tea that I could write a whole dissertation on its virtues. It comforts and enlivens without the risks attendant on spirituous liquors. Gentle herb! Let the florid grape yield to thee. Thy soft influence is a more safe inspirer of social joy.

On this one, it is hard to read the tea leaves,

And listen--tell your friend to try English Breakfast net time. It's a little more robust. Earl Grey is really more of a 'Sense and Sensibility' kind of tea.
Cab driver to J.D. Jameson

She ordered a cup of tea, which proved excessively bad, and this gave her a sense that she was suffering in a romantic cause.

There are few hours in life more agreeable than the hour dedicated to the ceremony known as afternoon tea