Cyprus-Forum.com

[Eliko]

Ever since an old Jew, sweeping up the dust in a bonded tea warehouse stumbled on the idea of pouring boiled water over the spoonful of dust he had wrapped up in his snotty handkerchief, the world has been plagued with 'Tea Bags', I have just witnessed a friend of mine agonising over a scalded thumb and forefinger as she attempted to squeeze the moisture from the bag, into her tea-cup. I know the Brits, particularly English were once world famous for their ability to produce an excellent 'Hot Cuppa' using milk, sugar and various other ingredients. In Cyprus the use of cinnamon is quite commonplace as are cloves, not to everyone's taste but acceptable to those used to it, the Orientals approach tea brewing almost as an art form, but, how did dear old granny manage to delight us with her special concoction, served in a floral patterned china cup and saucer with two rich tea biscuits, does anyone remember?

[skyvet]

Ah Eliko .... what memories you have conjured up in my mind! My Nan taught me many years ago how to make the perfect cuppa. Firstly, forget about tea-bags, and use loose "packet" tea. It is also very important to warm the teapot (preferably china) prior to adding the water. Put one teaspoon of loose tea into the pot for each person, plus one for "the pot" ! Add freshly boiled water, and after stirring, allow it to stand for 3 minutes. Use a tea strainer whilst pouring the tea into china cups to avoid getting tealeaves in your mouth, and then add milk and sugar to taste. Whilst you enjoy yours with a couple of rich tea biscuits, I'll have a couple of digestives with mine! Enjoy Thanks for the memories!

[Snad]

Your right Skyvet, it has to be loose tea and china cups, its a bit like drinking wine, it has to be a crystal glass. How decadent!!

Mine is 2 digestives dunked in, now I have just spoiled the eloquent image.

[Svetlana]

Skyvet

You forgot that the kettle has to be taken to the teapot, not the other way round.

Typical British decedance!

Lana

[skyvet]

Lana - surely you'd take the teapot to the kettle?? Mind you, my Nan's kitchen was so small it made no real difference!
Snad - as far as I'm aware, dunking of digestives is still compulsory in many places!

Long live decadence eh?

[raymanuva]

Had a rise tea in AKAKIKO (Jap restaurant in Limassol)... disgusting.

[Eliko]

I came across a very well knitted article among my mother's possessions I thought it was some kind of 'foot warmer', it is apparently a 'tea cosy' and is placed over the pot in order to retain the heat, it also doubles as a hand warmer in frosty weather, I have never seen it in use but am determined to give it a try, thank you for your tips and advices in the art of producing a 'Good Cuppa', perhaps there is hope for us yet.

[Bananiot]

I'd rather add the milk first and then pour the tea.

[Issy1956]

Bananiot,
"I'd rather add the milk first and then pour the tea". This makes you a Pre-Lacterian I being of a Post-Lacterian disposition prefer to add it after the tea has brewed. We must respectfully agree to differ.

[G.Man]

Perfect cuppa

Warm pot first using boiling water..

1 spoon of tea for each cup + 1 for the pot..

Add water to pot as the kettle boils...

Stir the pot, add lid, cosy and allow to stand till your required strength is achieved..

Milk in cup, pour tea into cup...

Sugar to taste..

Sprig of Mint, Slice of lemon, alternatives to milk, as is cinnamon..