The British have their afternoon tea around 5 p.m., but you can drink it anytime -- a cup alone, or with a snack like cookies, scones or muffins. Lots of Brits add milk to their tea. Milk in tea was a new idea to me, until a trip to England a few years ago. My British brother-in-law showed me how to make it.
First, choose a black tea made from leaves of the tea bush, Camellia sinensis, rather than an herbal tea, often made from leaves, blossoms, stems or berries of herb and spice plants.
Here are some good ones to start with:
English Breakfast - hearty black tea blended to go with milk and sugar
Irish Breakfast - similarly, a blend of black tea to drink with milk
Earl Grey - a robust black tea blend, very popular. Good with lemon, too, instead of milk
Any of these can be drunk black as well as with milk.
To get started, you will need the tea, as well as a tea kettle, teapot, cup, milk and spoon. We keep our favorite mugs handy, and like to use the tall stoneware ones for tea, because they keep the drink warm a bit longer.
Start with cold water and bring to just boiling in the kettle. Pour a little of the hot water into the teapot and swirl it around to warm the china, then add the tea and the rest of the water.
Steep the tea according to directions on the package. We follow the instructions for a medium brew, so our tea is not too strong, and not too weak. We also like tea bags, instead of loose tea, for convenience. If you prefer loose tea, you will need a strainer or tea ball as well.
Never pour the hot water directly from the kettle into your teacup, as you risk cracking it.
If you plan to add milk, fill the cup only 2/3 full with freshly brewed tea. Then add milk until the tea turns a warm golden brown, about the color of the caramel candies you get in the fall to make Caramel Apples. Stir and enjoy!
Many commercial tea brands are available, such as Bigelow, Tetley's, Barry's or Lyon's. You can often obtain variety packs or samples to help you zero in on the blend and brand you like best.
We also found a "British blend" of Tetley's for sale in the US. If you want to try it, look for it in international food specialty shops.
And, we heard of a tea drink called a London Fog -- a mix of steamed milk, Earl Grey tea and vanilla syrup. That sounds good for an afternoon snack!
There's a huge world of tea to explore. There are thousands of types of tea, and lots of ways to use it as part of meals and entertaining. Start by learning to make a British-style cup of tea with milk, and who knows where it may lead. First a simple snack, then on to tea parties with the girls, even tea for a crowd, which will give you an excuse to use your large set of matching porcelain.
Meanwhile, a cup of tea in your own special mug will warm you from the inside out, on cool mornings or blustery days.
