Tea

Tea is a drink that is really old. Not any particular cup of tea, mind you (though no doubt some of you have sitting about your kitchen a cup or two of days old tea), but rather, the drinking of tea--tea qua tea.

A Short History of Tea

Tea began in China, and was used in religious stuff. How did it get to England? Well, there is one answer that always fits the bill when talking about ancient eastern stuff: Marco Polo.

Tea Today

That's all interesting, but what concerns us is that tea is delicious, and good for you. Why? I don't know why it's delicious. Its just one of those things--some people like it, some don't; there's no accounting for taste, as they say, although to be honest, I don't know who "they" are; but in any case people other than me. Marco Polo perhaps. Tea is good for us because it's got anti-oxidants in it. I am completely against oxidants myself, so I'm all for this. Anti-oxidants help prevent heart attacks and some types of cancer. Tea is also a hydrating drink, as much so as water (it used to be thought that tea was a dehydrating drink, but this has been found to be not only untrue, but entirely false).

What else can one say about tea? There are around 1500 types of tea, and amazing as it sounds, it seems that the Irish out drink the English when it comes to tea. England comes in second on the world stage of tea-drinking.

Which Comes First?

Is it milk first, or hot water first? And the answer is: Milk! It's true. I know, I can hear some of you flying into insane rages, dashing porcelain tea cups to smithereens and burning tea bags on the roof tops. Stop that. It's all been worked out scientifically and tastifically. When you've calmed down, click here.

There's a lot more that could be said of tea. Foe example: tea bags, or loose tea? Or, when is a proper tea-time? Well, that one does have an answer--technically, the proper tea-time (as in high-tea, with cakes and other yummy things) is at 4PM, and tides one over until a late-ish dinner. But if I'm wrong on that, I should hope our friend The English Preppy will correct me some time soon.

As for my current tea preference, I'm partial to Twinings. In the tea-bag form, that is.

With that, pip-pip, and if you're actually in England, or Ireland, drink a cup o' tea for me. It tastes better there.