The practice of tea ceremony has been around for thusands of years. All tea comes from the same plant: Camelia Sinensis. White, Green, Oolang & Black. 

The difference is in how the tea is dried, "roasted" or fermented and prepared. The art of tea lead readings originated in China but quickly spread in popularity throughout the Middle-East region. It survived throughout the spread of fear from withcraft due to it plain, common everyday household acceptance in homes. 

One places a pinch of fresh leaves in the cup pouring water to create an infusion. After a few minutes the reader can begin to sip the tea thinking of a concern or question on their minds. Once close to finishing, you flip the cup onto the saucer to drain any excess water and then flip it back upright with the handle facing you.  Some "swoosh" the tea around three times before tuning it over to spread it even. 

You will start to see patterns, images reveal themselves to your query slowly. Numbers, letters, shapes, animals, objects and other symbols may appear. The placement and connection of the symbols matter as well. Left side is past, middle is present, Right side is future. Towards the rim can be interpreted as obvious while images towards the bottom are deeper, subconcious, hidden, more intense.