teaki

Teaki is a traditional tea-based beverage described in the culinary literature of the fictional Teaki archipelago. It is typically prepared by infusing leaves of Camellia sinensis in mineral-rich water, producing a clear, aromatic infusion that can be served hot or cold. The name teaki is commonly explained as a combination of the regional word for tea and the archipelago's suffix aki, although exact origins vary by source.

Standard preparation involves heating water to about 75 to 85°C and steeping green or black tea leaves for 3 to 5 minutes. In many regional variants, the infusion is finished with citrus zest, honey, or a small amount of dried seaweed or kelp to add mineral notes.

Variants include Teaki Classic (plain tea), Teaki Citrus (with citrus peels), and Teaki Umami (with seaweed).

Historically, teaki appears in island cookbooks and ceremonial records dating from the 18th to 19th centuries in the archipelago's fictional culture, and has experienced a modern revival among craft tea makers and cultural festivals.

In contemporary contexts, teaki is marketed as a traditional or artisanal beverage, produced as loose-leaf blends or bottled drinks, and is sometimes used in hospitality settings to accompany meals.

See also: Tea culture, Infusions, Seaweed in cuisine.