What Does It Mean When We Say That Tea Is Not A Drink?

Still, modern humans regard Tea as a beverage, passive and inanimate, something to be consumed and reduced to a nutritional summary of polyphenols, that limits our ability to relate with her (and other plants), and the natural elements with consequences. These consequences of reducing Tea is a form of objectification, a fetishizing, a symptom of domination where we claim we “know” Tea, based on her list of beneficial compounds. Substituting "Tea" with "friend" challenges our anthropocentric view, highlighting our tendency to prioritize self-interest as humans, where we believe we are the main character of the narrative. It prompts reflection on genuine friendship and our role as participants.