“Let’s put the kettle on”

It’s stereotypical that the British response to any bad news, up to and including major disasters, can be “let’s put the kettle on”!  A good “cuppa” will make whatever is wrong, right!

Although one associates tea primarily with England, tea dates back 5000 years to China!  It was not until the mid 1600’s that tea became popular in England.  It was imported from China at an enormous cost and was enjoyed only by the aristocracy because a pound of tea cost an average British laborer the equivalent of nine months in wages. The British began to import tea in larger quantities to satisfy the rapidly expanding market and tea became Britain’s most important item of trade from China. All classes were able to drink tea as the tea trade increased and became less of a luxury. By the mid 1800’s, tea was being enjoyed as a mid afternoon meal and tea had replaced the former national drink of ale.

Although afternoon tea is synonymous with England, it may have first been introduced to Europe in France.  According to the monthly newsletter called TeaMuse, in the writings of Madame de Sévigné (1626 to 1696), one of history’s greatest letter writers on life in 17th Century France:

It’s a little known fact, but after its introduction to Europe in the 17th century tea was tremendously popular in France. It first arrived in Paris in 1636 (22 years before it appeared in England!) and quickly became popular among the aristocracy. Madame de Sévigné also reported that it was a Frenchwoman, the Marquise de la Sablière, who initiated the fashion of adding milk to tea as it was “to her taste”.  This is what the French have to say, but…..!  By the way, the English delighted in this “French touch” of milk and immediately adopted it.  As we all know, sparring between the English and the French has been commonplace through the years and spar they do, even over tea!

A cup of tea made properly in the British way is a surprisingly refreshing drink even on a hot day.  “It will warm you on a cold day and cool you on a hot one.”  Firstly the kettle is put on and the water, once boiling, is poured into the teapot, about half way up.  This is swished around the teapot in order to “warm” the teapot and then poured out.  Loose tea or tea bags, whichever you prefer, is then put into the teapot.  The rule with loose tea is to put one teaspoon in for each cup and then one extra “for the pot”.  If you are using teabags, use one tea bag per cup and you may want to add an extra teabag “for the pot” if you prefer a stronger tea.  The boiling water is then poured into the pot and should still be bubbling when it hits the tea.  The bubbling is necessary to aerate the tea which releases the full flavor.  This is why you will not get the same flavor using water from an instant hot tap.  You then put the top on the teapot and let the tea “steep” (stand still) for about 4 or 5 minutes.  It is best to do this with a “tea cosy” to keep the tea nice and warm.  You are then ready to pour your tea.  Most English people will drink milk with their tea and add sugar.  Milk is always poured into the cup before the tea is poured in. If you have used loose tea, you will need to use a tea strainer to pour the tea into the cup.

Now, here in the States tea rooms have popped up all over and a lot of us enjoy an afternoon out with our Chums at a tea spot.  Your Two Chums often host parties that are tea parties and will be sharing tea sandwich ideas and scone recipes with you later on this week.

Got a problem?  Put the kettle on!  That is sure to solve whatever is challenging you.