Elite English teas. English Tea Party as an Art

Tea ceremony for the British is no less important than, for example, the samurai code for the Japanese. In any English house there is tea. Moreover, there is more than one sort of this world-famous drink, but several. In the British society, tea drinking has its own characteristics and is included in the daily routine of every citizen. English tea occupies a special place in the lives of people in Britain and England.

Traditions and customs

The first and second time English tea is drunk in the morning. The rise in the citizens of England begins with a cup of this strong, caffeine-rich drink. Tea "Ahmad. English Breakfast" is ideal for waking up. First it is drunk with the purpose to cheer up and wake up. This occurs between 6 and 7 am. Next, English teas are drunk for breakfast at about eight o'clock in the morning. In this case, milk or cream is added to the drink.

The third time the English tea at noon. An indispensable component of the next breakfast - lunch - is English tea. Traditions dictate drinking at this time a fragrant and invigorating drink, not forgetting about the rich table. You can drink tea with a biscuit, hard-boiled egg, with bread and butter, with toast and cinnamon, with almond biscuits, jam or egg cakes, with buns, jellies or sweet tartinki.

For the fourth time tea from the British is quite late. The break is done among the working day. It was called tea brea, that is, a short break for tea.

For the fifth time, the English traditionally sit down at the table in Five-o'clock. At this time, English teas are distributed in millions of families throughout England. Everything, from simple toilers and ending with the queen, drink this fragrant drink, called "English snack". This is a traditional English black tea, generously flavored with milk or cream.

For the sixth time drink drink around 7-8 pm. This is a thick, elite English tea. During this event, an uncountable number of snacks and sweets are served. The house creates an atmosphere of good mood, warmth and coziness. English green tea is also suitable for such a ceremony. It is not forbidden to add cream or milk to the drink. English teas can be consumed at night, following their preferences, but the drink should no longer contain caffeine.

Varieties of English tea

Assam is famous for its rich and slightly tart taste. To elite tea, the varieties Kenyan and Darjeeling are considered. Ceylon is famous for its unique aroma. Let's talk about these famous drinks in more detail.

Among the elite English teas, Darjeeling occupies a special place and is much valued above other varieties. The second name is "tea champagne". "Darjeeling" is made under certain conditions. Its collection takes place over four seasons, and each of these teas differs from the other in color, saturation and taste.

Assam is a strong enough drink. It has a rich taste with an unobtrusive malt shade. The taste of Assam tea is remembered by astringent and astringent notes. Despite this, this drink is more velvety and soft, unlike the Ceylon varieties. It is interesting that the shade of correctly brewed tea "Assam" is called "the color of a biscuit crust."

When is the best time to drink tea?

The drink is best used when it is brewed, because tea, which has stood for more than four hours, not only acquires harmful properties, but also loses all the taste qualities that are so appreciated. In addition, the yellow coating, formed on the rim of the cup, will remain on the walls of your stomach. English teas are tasty and useful if they did not have time to brew.

The beginning of tea drinking

At the beginning of the reception, cups and saucers are put before the hostess or in front of the woman who will pour the drink. If the lady is a right-hander, then the devices are placed to the left of the tray, and if on the contrary, then on the right.

Tablecloth

During a tea party, a plain tablecloth is appropriate on the table. It is also possible to lay the table with material with a soft or small pattern. A disposable tablecloth is not forbidden, however, the best choice is flax. She can only close the table or hanging from it by 15 centimeters. If the construction has a transparent countertop, then it can not be covered.

Tea pair

To date, the tea cup and saucer act as a single subject, parts of which can not be divided. Pials are not suitable for European tea drinking.

An interesting fact is that it was the English people who came up with the idea to attach the pen to the bowls in order to get now all the familiar tea cup.

Dishes

In addition to the tea pair, each guest needs a personal plate for sweets. Its diameter should be 17-18 centimeters. A small plate is intended for biscuits, cakes, slices of cake, sandwiches and the like.

Tea-set

The classic tea service in England has more than thirty different items. Thus, the porcelain set consists of twelve cups and saucers, vases for sugar, a jug for milk, a jam bowl, a teapot, a tray for spoons, a holder for a tea pot, a tin can for measure and storage of tea leaves, a jug for boiling water, and plates for Lemon, sandwiches or cake.

In English culture, unlike the pot-bellied Russian teapots, the forms stretched upwards prevail. A distinctive feature of the cups is a short leg at the base. A metallic silver set consists of a teapot, a jug for milk, and a spacing, on which all this fits. Tongs, teaspoons, napkins, strainer and tablecloth are in most cases not included in the tea service.

In addition to the tea service, you need a small vase with white flowers, a fork and knife for each guest, a woolen or quilted cover for the kettle, and a strainer and stand for it.

Instrument location

Plates for cakes and pastries should be placed in such a way that their edge coincides with the edge of the table. Under each plate it is necessary to put a napkin or put them in a napkin on the table. Cups should be located to the right of the plate and a little obliquely. To the right of the saucer or on it put a teaspoon. A fork or spoon for cakes should be placed to the right of the plate with sweets so that it is located between the plate and the cup.

For dry cakes should be provided forceps, and for fruit - a special spatula. Holders for ground sugar or a spoon should be in the sugar bowl.

How to keep a cup?

In no case can you set the little fingers or put your index finger in the ear of the cup. The capacity is held with three fingers of the right hand. Should be a thumb, index and medium. The upper part of the handle is held by the pads of the index and thumb. Medium, slightly bent, is located under the handle. The unnamed and index fingers are pressed to the middle of the palm.

If the tea party passes at the dinner table, then it is necessary to lift only the cup, while leaving the saucer on the table. If tea is served on a low table, and guests are located on the couch or sit in a chair, a tea pair is taken together. That is, they drink tea, lifting the cup from the saucer, which is held at the level of the chest.

Snacks and sweets for tea

On the one hand, English pastry for tea drinking is not something supernatural. If you get the recipes, then you can easily make it at home. The only requirement - snacks should be simple, if the cake is too unusual, then it will eclipse itself with tea.

Cakes are served on the table already cut or cut in the presence of guests. In vases of classical form, that is, on a high leg, there should be jam. If you want to pamper guests with sweets, then they should be served in a box.

In addition, sandwiches are always required for tea, since some of the guests may not like sweet food or do not eat it for their own reasons. For small canapés bread is cut into very thin slices. In the cold season, you can serve hot sandwiches for tea.

The main quality of a sandwich for tea - it should be gentle and easy. The most typical types of this snack are cucumber or tomato, placed on a thin slice of bread, as well as lettuce, pieces of crab meat or cream cheese on toast.

Bread must be yesterday. For better spreading oil is recommended to pre-melt. When the sandwiches are ready, it will be necessary to pinch them between two plates, and also put the press on the top of them.

Sugar is served on a table of two types: refined sugar and sand. Only the first kind, as a rule, is served exclusively at official receptions.

It is better not to put on the table large pieces of meat and various sauces, because they can not be kept beautifully and neatly.

Cut into lemon slices, served with a "rose" spread out on a small plate. Next to her, you need to put a special fork so that the guest can put the citrus in the tea.

Rum, dessert wine and cognac is quite possible to serve to the tea table. However, at an official reception, such drinks may not be appropriate.

How to spill tea?

The basic rule of any official tea party is that the drink in the guest's cup should be poured exclusively at the table.

During the time when the owner or waiter spills tea, he approaches the seated on the right side.

After the tea was poured, the guest must turn the cup 180 degrees so that the handle is on the left, then put the lemon first, then sugar.