Here in the UK we are known the world over for our quaint little traditions, and none more than our obsession with a cup of tea. We love the stuff, in fact 26% of people drink more than 6 cups a day and it contributes to a massive amount of our daily fluid intake. You might say that as a nation, our love affair with the good old brew will never end.
Tea was originally brought to the UK by a Portuguese Queen and was exclusive to the rich and famous but over the years has become a staple to our day. There are lots of ways you can drink tea and the eternal milk first or water first argument reigns through the office when we meet around the kettle. Did you know however that in the olden days people who were referred to as “a bit milk first” were deemed to be lower class, and uncouth?
Now the banter is a lot more light hearted, and there is even a range of mugs that you can purchase with different pantones on the side so when people are making you a cup they know EXACTLY how much milk you have in a perfect cuppa. Never again will you have to sneak back to the fridge to add a splash more milk while making sure that the person kind enough to make the tea doesn’t spot you!
Through the ages, afternoon tea has become a fantastic tradition that we love. In fact, the humble cupcake, that has risen to star status recently, originated in the UK. Servants on tight budgets stole the discarded old tea sets when they were replaced in the big house upstairs, and made cakes in them when there was a shortage of cake tins. Today, afternoon tea is taken with a selection of finger cakes or a good old scone and cream, referred to as a cream tea and seen as a fantastic luxury treat, maybe due to the amount of calories!
Tea is naturally refreshing, and did you know that when consumed in the heat it will lower your body temperature? It’s a myth that to drink a cold drink makes you cooler, as your body feels the freeze and tries to up its core temperature. By drinking a good old cuppa, your body will cool. Interesting, huh?
When taken with milk, four cups of tea a day will provide you with nearly 20% of your daily calcium requirement, 5% folic acid, vitamins B1, B2 and B6 and a healthy helping of zinc. What’s not to love?
So how do you like your tea? Earl grey, English breakfast tea, Ceylon… the possibilities are endless. Add milk, add sugar, a dash of lemon; however you like to drink yours it’s not going to run out any time soon.
Laura Tinker is a writer from the UK and her daily musings can be found at www.laughteriscatching.com. Head over and say hi!Follow Laura on Twitter @lillyheart999.
{ 6 comments… read them below or add one }
I like a cup of PG Tips (lucky for me, it’s sold in the states in the International section), milk second. I pour the milk second mostly because I love the way it looks, like a galaxy swirling in my mug, if only for a moment. And since my kitchen’s a nightmare, I usually take my tea with a few Oreos, though I’d prefer scones ;)
Laura, I’m part of the 26% who drink more than six cups a day. Or, rather, if I were in the UK I would be part of the 26%. I’m sure the number is much lower in the US. Usually drink it as is, sometimes with a tiny splash of milk.
I drink 6 – 10 cups per day and I love a milky brew!
I drink more coffee now actually but I think that’s because in my mind, coffee is fuel to work and tea is more for pleasure. I tend to drink a cup or two of tea (teabag, milk and sugar) in the afternoon/late evenings.
I love tea, that’s all I have to say =)
Oh I admit, I do drink a lot of tea every day. It is usually started in the morning made by my husband John thankfully, but he doesn’t make it as strong as I normally would like as usually in a bit of a hurry. But I can’t complain. Actually I have to blame my father, he warmed our baby bottle with a top off of tea, to warm the milk, I guess that almost sounds like child abuse but he was a lovely man, a British man, and I guess that started my tea addiction/obsession, and it sure was good!! I make mine in the stainless steel pot with a homemade cozy, made by my mother. Milk first, then tea, Tetley’s, with a good stir, that’s the 1 thing, my husband doesn’t always do and I have to growl at him, not very nice for someone who’s being waited on