| > | | | | One the teapot is hot, you should add the tealeaves. |
| | | | The general rule is to add a teaspoon of loose tea or |
| Since the rise of the humble teabag which was | | | | a teabag for every person who will be taking tea, |
| introduced to the UK by Tetley Tea in 1953, the art | | | | plus One for the Pot’. Therefore, if five |
| of making a real cup of English tea has been on the | | | | people are taking tea, you should add six teaspoons |
| decline, with many tea drinkers’ choosing | | | | of tealeaves or six teabags to the teapot. |
| to mash their tea in a mug. This article tells you how | | | | Now pour on the boiling water. You should add |
| to brew a real cup of English tea, and urges people | | | | enough water to fill everyone’s teacup. Put |
| to dig out their teapot and engage in the social | | | | the lid on the teapot to retain the heat. Leave the |
| function of tea drinking. We also address the | | | | teapot to stand for two minutes. |
| controversial issue of when to add the milk. | | | | Then remove the teapot lid and stir the tea with a |
| Since the rise of the humble teabag which was | | | | spoon. Replace the lid and again leave it to stand two |
| introduced to the UK by Tetley Tea in 1953, the art | | | | more minutes. The tea is now ready for pouring. |
| of making a real cup of English tea has been on the | | | | China cups are best for drinking tea from, which is |
| decline, with many tea drinkers’ choosing | | | | why the Victorians chose to drink from beautiful |
| to mash their tea in a mug. Of course back in the | | | | china tea sets. It just makes the tea taste better. |
| Victorian times, taking tea was more of an event; | | | | Controversy has arisen as to when the milk should |
| with the tea maker’ even mixing a blend | | | | be added to tea. Some people saying that the milk |
| of tea leaves them selves. Interestingly, the first tea | | | | should be poured in first and others saying that the |
| bag recorded was in around 1908. Introduced by a | | | | tea is poured first. Obviously as a nation we have |
| gentleman called Thomas Sullivan, from the USA. The | | | | got used to brewing tea in a mug. This way the tea |
| Victorian connoisseurs of tea must have rejected the | | | | is always added first. However, to make a real cup |
| idea. After all, the Victorians enjoyed the whole | | | | of English tea the milk is always added to the cup |
| event of tea drinking and chattering — why | | | | first, followed by the tea. |
| would they want to speed up the process? | | | | Sugar is than added last to taste. A sugar bowl is |
| To make a real cup of tea you will need
| | | | necessary because it largely depends on the size of |
| A quality blend of tea leaves. Loose tea is best, | | | | the cup as to how much sugar you will take in your |
| however a good brand of tea bags will suffice. | | | | tea. The larger the cup or mug the more sugar you |
| (Remember if the tealeaves were cheap — | | | | may need. Of course with just a small china cup you |
| the tea will taste accordingly) If you choose to use | | | | need far less sugar. |
| leaves you will also need a tea strainer. | | | | When the tea has been poured, the teapot should be |
| You will also need a kettle full of boiling water, a | | | | again filled with boiling water in readiness for a |
| teapot, a teaspoon, a china mug or cup and saucer, | | | | second serving. Stir the tea and replace the lid and |
| milk and sugar to taste. | | | | cover the teapot with a tea cosy to keep the tea |
| First pour around a quarter of a pint of the boiling | | | | piping hot. By the time you have drunk your first cup |
| water into the teapot. Put the lid on the teapot and | | | | of tea, the second batch of tea will be ready for |
| swill the hot water around inside the teapot before | | | | pouring. |
| pouring the water out of the spout and down the | | | | We should bring back the art of tea making. |
| sink. This is called Warming the Pot’. | | | | It’s a relaxing social event that everyone |
| Warming the teapot ensures that when the teapot is | | | | young and old can enjoy. Funny isn’t it how |
| filled with water for making tea, that the water will | | | | we buy little girls pretty little tea sets to make |
| remain hot and wont loose any heat tot he teapot. | | | | imaginary tea for their dollies, and yet as adults we |
| Keeping the tea water hot not only keeps the | | | | have removed the fun and we just sling a teabag in |
| finished tea at an optimum temperature for drinking, | | | | a mug. Join the campaign and dig out your teapot |
| but also helps with the tea brewing itself. Piping hot | | | | and treat yourself and your friends and family to a |
| water aids the tealeaves to effuse. | | | | real English cup of tea and a chat, today. |