On the thread about foods you love but don't get to have much there was a couple of comments about tea (my favourite drink). Mainly about the lack of decent tea available on the continent (it's enough to make anyone vote Brexit) and I know in places like America it's even worse as they have a different electric set up so kettles aren't the norm.
When it comes to tea, I have a particular way of serving it.
A pot for two which needs to be warmed. 2 tea bags (Yorkshire preferably but pg and Tetley are sufficient) hot water first. Then as I can't be bothered to get a separate jug for milk (unless I have guests) the milk is added to the pot.
Leave in there for at least 5 minutes till caramel coloured then poured into a mug or a cup with saucer if guests are present. Then a tea cosy to keep the temperature high placed over the pot for the remaining tea after removing the tea bags.
If not using a pot anyone who adds milk first to the tea bag either has fragile china cups or they're psychopaths.
Biscuit/cake sometimes a nice complement but not necessary. I am a custom to have my tea with any meal. Breakfast, lunch and dinner.
How do others take their tea?
(Season starts soon yeah?)
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On the continent I find it better to take it black. Can’t trust the milk or the strength of the tea.
Teabag (PG tips but usually whatever deal is on offer at Sainsbury's) into mug, along with sweetener. Freshley boiled water from kettle (not reheated - must be freshly drawn). Leave for a minute before adding milk. Leave for another couple of minutes for tea to infuse fully. Take teabag out & leave for another 5-10 mins to cool sufficiently to drink.
If I find someone straining tea bag with fingers while making me a tea, they get glassed.
builders tea
Just a dash of semi-skimmed milk.
George Orwell wrote very specific instructions. Most deal with proper teapot management (presumably before the invention of tea bags) but his last three points still hold:
A Nice Cup of Tea | The Orwell Foundation
https://www.bettys.co.uk/tea/bettys-tea-bags
Drink Coffee instead
Is this a wind up?
It's the way forward for tea drinkers who like a cuppa by themselves.
Best Tea bags are Miles by the way, you can normally only get then in the West country in Delis though, I have to restock whenever I go down there and buy 5/6 boxes (Sainsburys do stock them locally)- I just wish my water quality was better.