Tea—Best Drink of the Day!
By J. Salazar
Teacher at AIT Language School
«Where there’s tea, there’s hope.»
Arthur Wing Pinero (British Writer and Dramatist)
To say that Britons are fond of tea is something of an understatement. From the Royal Family down to the humblest street beggar, tea is more than just a simple pleasure; it’s an essential part of British life!
The average Briton over the age of 10 drinks three and a half cups of tea per day. That’s 1,355 cups per year, putting Britain way ahead of any other country in the international league of tea-drinking nations!
But what makes tea such an important part of British life? One reason is that drinking tea is such a good displacement activity. In other words, whenever the English feel uncomfortable in a social setting, they make tea. For example, when visitors come and problems arise with the formal greeting protocols, the English host will almost always ask: “Would you like a cup of tea?” A business meeting might involve speaking about money. But before discussing this tricky subject, the British will make sure everyone has tea. A bad accident occurs and people are injured or in shock: tea is needed. World War III breaks out or a nuclear attack is imminent, and somebody will start preparing . . . yes, you’ve guessed it: tea.
So, given Britain’s fondness for this remarkable drink, what can you do to impress your British friends with the perfect cup of tea? Well, here are a few tips to help you.
Making the Perfect Cup of Tea
- Choose the right tea. British people generally drink black tea. Brands such as PG Tips, Tetley, Typhoo and Twinings are all available at Carrefour, El Corte Inglés and Mercadona. The most popular tea is English Breakfast. But Earl Grey is also a favourite with many.
- Treat your water kindly. Use bottled water if possible. However, if you’re using tap water, run the tap a little so that the water is nicely aerated. Only boil it once to keep the oxygen level up. Oxygen in water enhances the flavour in tea.
- Add tea and water. Put a tea bag into your mug, pour over the boiling water and stir briefly. And then wait patiently. Tea needs time to release all its flavour, so give it 4-5 minutes to brew. But don’t leave it any longer, otherwise your tea will stew, producing a bitter aftertaste. Remember this simple rule: brew, not stew.
- Remove the tea bag without squeezing. When the tea has brewed, gently remove the tea bag from the mug. But don’t squeeze the tea bag inside the mug. If you do, the tea will taste bitter.
- With or without milk? That really depends on you. There are no rules here. Some people like a splash of semi-skimmed or whole milk. But remember—your brew is unique to you, so add milk, sugar, honey, lemon or nothing at all. Most importantly, enjoy!
