I rarely drink tea in a hurry. If I put the kettle on, it means the day or night will be warmer. For me, tea is not just a drink. It is the key to conversations that cannot be had in a taxi or on the run.

When guests come over, I always invite them for tea, not coffee. Coffee invigorates, tea calms. With tea, you don’t talk quickly, but honestly. I’ve known this since childhood — my mother always gave me tea when we needed to talk about something important.

I have a favorite evening recipe. Black tea, fresh ginger, lemon and a spoonful of honey. When you swallow, your throat stings at first, then it gets warm. If you want something sweet, have cookies or dark chocolate.

Sometimes I make tea with cinnamon and orange - it smells like winter, even if it's August outside. It's nice to sit by the window and listen to your neighbors slam their doors.

Tea parties are not about the weather. They're about the warmth inside. About the fact that even if the day was hard, a cup of tea can end it beautifully. About the fact that a conversation over tea is always longer and more sincere.

I believe that tea unites. If there's no one to share the evening with, I still put the kettle on. Because the most important thing is to be honest with yourself. You can add the rest - sugar, milk, mint. And conversations - they will always find their way to you.