More Than a Drink With Jam and Bread

Tea at Christmastime tends to be a Victorian affair, complete with jam cakes and velveteen trimmings. But Farmers Branch Historical Park is this month reminding visitors that Brits don't have the monopoly on hot tea service.

A traveling exhibit on global tea traditions, curated by Tea in Texas Magazine, is spending a few weeks at the museum. According to magazine editor Lee Garcia, a critical aspect of tea appreciation is "being able to humble yourself" in learning about different ways to serve tea.

The small exhibit includes examples of the five main types of tea -- green, black, oolong, white and puerh -- and nine teapots from around the world. There are also strainers, infusers, cups, spoons and whisks from tea cultures including Russia, India and Japan.

Garcia says the tea industry's rapidly expanding in Texas, but the vast majority of tea statewide is still drunk iced and sugared. She hopes her exhibit will help stimulate interest in hot tea.

"Tea is the second-most consumed beverage in the world, after water," Garcia says. "But in this country, it's sixth. So that's another reason to showcase hot tea."

The exhibit runs through December 15.