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TEA
IN BRITAIN
My
cooper kettle whistles merrily
and
signals that it is time for tea.
The
fire China cups are filled with the brew.
There's lemon and sugar and sweet cream too.
But,
best of all, there's friendship
As
we lovingly share our afternoon tea.
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History
Tea, an
unique plant from China
became the nation’s favourite drink in England.
It's now
a part of everyday life in Britain.
The custom of afternoon tea was thought to be introduced in England by
Anna, the seventh Duchess of
Bedford.
It soon became fashionable to take tea in the middle of the afternoon with bread
and butter, small cakes and tea being served.
There are 3 types of afternoon teas:
Cream Tea - you serve tea,
scones, jam and cream
Light Tea - you
serve tea, scones and sweets
Full Tea - you serve
tea, savories, scones,
sweets and dessert
Most tea rooms today serve tea
from three to five
o'clock.
The menu has also changed from tea, bread, butter and
cakes, to include three particular courses served specifically in this order:
Savories - Tiny
sandwiches or appetizers
Scones - Served with
jam and clotted cream
Pastries - Cakes,
cookies and sweets
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Types of teas
Tea characteristics can vary from harvest to harvest, region to region, and even
between tea estates within a region.
The following chart, which lists general descriptions of common appearance,
taste, and aroma characteristics.
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- Name
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Origin
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BLACK TEA
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Assam |
India |
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A strong, hearty, robust, full-bodied tea
with a malty flavor.
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Perfect for breakfast and takes milk well.
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Ceylon |
Sri Lanka |
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A
crisp light- to medium-bodied tea and a medium- to heavy-bodied tea,
characterized by a pronounced sweet, ripe-fruit flavor.
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Served for breakfast or afternoon tea.
Takes milk well.
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Lapsang souchong |
China |
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A strong tea with a smoky, tarry aroma
and flavor.
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Can be served with or without milk.
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-
Winston Churchill took his with Scotch.
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OOLONG TEA
-
(
between black and green tea
)
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Formosa |
Taiwan |
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Smooth, medium-bodied with a hint of ripe fruit taste, golden amber
liquid.
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Wuyi |
China |
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Lighter in color than Formosa oolong, with a hint of green peeking
through the amber.
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Floral flavor.
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GREEN TEA
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Gyokuro |
Japan |
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Also
called "precious dew," this is the finest tea made in Japan.
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A sweet taste with
hints of the sea.
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Sencha |
Japan |
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Fresh
taste, pale green, relaxing afternoon tea, with a hint-of-the-sea taste.
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WHITE TEA
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(The
purest of all teas)
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Yin Zhen |
China |
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Also called "silver needles." The most
exotic and expensive tea, harvested by the imperial plucking method.
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Recipes
Blueberry Tea
1 oz amaretto almond liqueur
1/2 oz Grand Marnier orange liqueur
1/2 cup blueberry tea
Pour amaretto and grand Marnier into a glass.
Add hot tea, and serve immediately.
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Almond Tea
4 tea bags, green tea
1/2 teaspoon lemon zest, finely grated
4 cups boiling water
1/2 cup sugar
2 tablespoons lemon juice
1 teaspoon almond extract
1/4 teaspoon vanilla
Steep tea and lemon zest in boiling water for about 5 minutes.
Stir in remaining ingredients, then strain into cups or
mugs and serve hot.
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Cherry Cream Tea
1 cup Irish Breakfast Tea
1 cup cherry juice
1 shot cherry syrup
1/4 cup half & half
Ice cubes
Place one tea bag of Stash Irish Breakfast Tea into an 8 oz. cup.
Pour approximately 2 oz. (1/4 cup) boiling water into cup
and steep for 4 to 6 minutes.
Remove tea bag and fill cup to top with cold water.
Mix with cherry juice, cherry syrup, cream and ice. Makes
one 20 oz. serving.
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