Mum loved a “Cuppa”. In England that’s what we call a cup of tea. And Mum would drink it constantly. She would always claim it’s medicinal quantities. But, it’s so much more than that, it’s a social thing. Taking a break for a Cuppa, means you sit to relax for a few minutes, engage in conversation with those you’re with. In some parts of the world, coffee has the same status, a break and some conversation. But, the cup of tea has come to represent anything British, and, being British, I thought I’d write about it. This post is dedicated to my Mum 1926-2023, passed but never forgotten
Tea has come to encompass quite a few different drinks. There is the tea that is brewed from actual tea leaves. All the different types come from the same plant, however, how the leaves are processed determines the final product. That is broken down into: Black, Green, Oolong and White. Feel free to follow the links to get some for yourself. There is also Pu-erh, this is wild tea not picked from cultivated bushes. However, there are also herbal teas. These are not real teas, but brewed from herbs, as the name implies, like chamomile, rosehip and many others. Each one touting it’s own qualities.
Tea, Cha, Char or Chai, it has a few names, comes to us from far East Asia, China. It has been around for thousands of years. Initially it was used as an herb, added to stews, and sometimes the leaves were eaten raw. However, at some point, possibly as far back as 1000BC, there are some records of it as a drink. Even then, it was considered a medicinal drink. However, they made it by boiling the leaves into a concentrated liquid, that, in turn, would be drunk. Around the 16th century it was brought to Europe, by the the Portuguese traders, from Macau. Around the same time it made it’s way west from China to Pakistan and India. In the 17th Century it was introduced the Russians. Here in the USA most tea is consumed as iced tea, a southern favorite.
Tea come to us packaged in different ways, primarily either in loose leaf or in a bag. However, it does come in other forms. In some countries it’s sold compressed into a disk. To make a cup, some leaves would be chipped off the disk and steeped in water. Compressed tea has a longer shelf life than loose leaf. Instant tea is also available, very similar to instant coffee, add water and drink. It is also available in bottles and cans ready to drink, and, available everywhere. But, no matter how you get your tea, it has become the second most consumed drink, only surpassed by water.
My Father used to say “Your Mother is always right”, smart man. However, contrary to what the mum says, the scientists claim that there are no medicinal benefits to tea drinking. But, I would have to say that if it has been believed for millennia that it has medicinal qualities, there must be some truth in it. I have written in a few posts about claims of the benefits of various foods from the ancient world were found to be true today. And, even if you want to believe the scientists, sitting down having a cup of tea and taking a break from whatever you’re doing has it’s own benefits.
Throughout the world there are ceremonies associated with having that cup of tea. Social gatherings involve sitting down and consuming it. It is customary in Great Britain to offer it to guests. And, it’s quite common to have it in the afternoon. There are ceremonies in Japan and China that are quite complicated rituals for brewing and consuming tea. But the one thing they all have in common, is that, you stop what you’re doing and take a break, and maybe that is it’s greatest benefit.
When it comes to brewing it, well, the options are endless. Strong or a little weaker? Black or white? Milk or cream? With, or without sweeteners? Sugar or honey? With or without a slice of lemon or orange? Everyone has their favorite way to drink it. Hot or iced? Brewed with loose leaf? Or a bag. Well, this post is about how Mum used to make it, which, I think is the preferred way. Loose leaf, brewed in a tea pot, and served with milk. Although I have to admit, most of the time I use a bag. But I will describe the tea ceremony that I remember from my youth.
Starts with a kettle of hot, but not quite, boiling water. Mum would say it would scald the leaves. In the teapot goes one teaspoon of loose leaf tea (usually black) for each cup, and one for the pot. Pour over the water and allow to steep for four to five minutes. Pour through a fine mesh strainer into your cup, add milk till you have the desired color, enough sugar for you taste, stir to mix. Now enjoy your Cuppa, hopefully while enjoying some company, but either way, make sure you relax while drinking.