I 19F, received a beautiful box authentic box of Chinese black tea from my dad for my 19th birthday around a month back. he is one of those fathers that travels the world and goes on too many business trips so when he told me that he received it in china from one of his colleagues I was like excited because I am a tea enthusiast and because I knew that it was authentic. the box has beautiful Chinese calligraphy and artwork and comes in a luxurious box with luxurious packaging and design on the inside, even weaving the tea leaves into a flower as part of the artistic packaging.

My mom, 46F, one day, out of the blue, started putting lemon and sugar into a brewed jug of my special and rare tea, and when I found out what she was doing I told her that I did not want her to prusue this due to the fact that this was real authentic tea that my dad had brought me once for my birthday, and not a random unflavoured box of tea that she had bought at the supermarket. she asked me if I really actually liked black tea, and if I was actually going to drink it. I told her that I knew that I liked this type of Asian black tea and that i was going to actually drink it and that I just hadn’t gotten around to it yet. she basically ignored me, laughed and continued making it. I decided that I was being too harsh and told her that she could make iced tea out of it but only if she asked me beforehand.

(It’s Easter Friday tomorrow so everyone including me, my mom and my brother Amy dad are at home) However, this morning, to greet and welcome my dad that had just gotten home from a business trip last night, (in the middle of the night) I caught her making the tea again, without my permission, so I declared that she was no longer allowed to make the tea at all, since she broke my rules. my dad was tiredly walking around the kitchen, making brekfast, (so I am not even 100% sure that he heard me.) but she just brushed it off and told me that it wasn’t a big deal, when it is a big deal to me.

Now, let me explain why it bothers me so much, besides the rarity of the tea and the things that I have already mentioned above. Firstly, I don’t like iced tea, and probably never will. second, I’m one of those people that never sweeten or sour thier tea, and I like it that way. I know that it may sound strange to some people, but it’s the equivalent of drinking pure expresso without adding anything to it. third, to me, sweeting the tea you are drinking it, no matter what kind, = de valuing the tea not only from it’s properties and herbs, but it’s taste (the authentic experience) and it’s quality. What should I do to convince her that I do not want her to do this to my tea? AITAH?