“One should drink out of a good breakfast cup – that is, the cylindrical type of cup, not the flat, shallow type. The breakfast cup holds more, and with the other kind one’s tea is always half cold before one has well started on it.”
Here are our rules for making that perfect brew!
1. Do not leave the kettle when boiling water
Whilst making a proper British cup of tea you must be with the kettle at all times. After the kettle has boiled wait six seconds until it starts “ticking”, then the water is ready – so you must be ready.
2. Do not brew tea for less than three minutes
Leave the tea bag alone during the brewing period – no dipping, squeezing, stirring or wringing – these actions offend a British tea drinker.
3. Do not leave the tea bag in the cup
This is more of a health and safety tip than anything else, no one wants a scalding hot tea bag on their face whilst tipping tea into their mouth.
4. Avoid UHT milk
Whilst this type of milk saw us through our student days when we could pilfer it from the pubs by the bucket load as we were poor, it should not be allowed near tea now.
5. Never put the sugar spoon in tea
This contaminates the sugar! Tip the sugar using aforementioned sugar spoon, using an alternative spoon stir thoroughly until sugar has dissolved – you must stir. Keep stirring!
6. Never use a second-choice milk
No semi skimmed milk in the fridge? This is not a reason to use skimmed milk, using 1% milk is insulting to the cup of tea.
7. Never, ever pour the milk in first
Tea will never reach a tea colour if you pour milk into the cup first, it will still stay milk colour no matter how much you squeeze. Anyone you’re making tea for will not appreciate a cup of milk coloured water. Refer to rule 2 for correct method (no premature milk involvement).
8. Never use the microwave to heat your tea
Have you tried cooking a complete roast dinner in the microwave? It’s unheard of…
Only if you follow these rules will you enjoy a proper cup of tea!
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