The Brits seem to very particular about the quality of tea they consume but why do they insist on adding cream and large amounts of sugar that adulterate the taste of fine tea? Early fine China cups were sensitive to to this very hot brew as a possible reason. This bloody yanks only reference is watching Brit Box.
British Tea Time
- Thread starter Pipeoff
- Start date
Tea with a dash of milk is perfectly fine, and the milk certainly doesn't disguise the flavour of the tea if that's what you're suggesting.
As regards sugar, I always drank my tea & coffee sans sugar, it's only these last few years that I've added half a teaspoon of sugar to tea....nothing in coffee.
Regards,
Jay.
As regards sugar, I always drank my tea & coffee sans sugar, it's only these last few years that I've added half a teaspoon of sugar to tea....nothing in coffee.
Regards,
Jay.
I'm not sure if Brits are 'very particular about the quality of the tea, generally they(and the undersigned too)seem to enjoy strongest possible black teas(tehe mix of Assman&Kenian)which originally were created to be consumed with a dash of milk and some sugar added to soften out this(builders) brew' ,also as of today ,I have come to know that consumption of loose leaf teas is in decline even in the UK
Yeah, I agree with Jay, nothing wrong with a splash of milk, makes it creamy, obviously. I like my coffee with cream and sugar too. My advice is you do you, I’ll do me but that doesn’t make for a good discussion. It really depends on what I’m drinking but sometimes I’ll drink tea straight. It’s fun to add flavors to the mix though. I think it was someone here that inspired me to add a couple of pieces of a cinnamon stick to my Lapsang tea and damnit if it ain’t delicious, it completely changes the flavor profile.
A friend of mine gifted me a large box of teas that tea snobs drink, it contains pressed teas and a whole bunch of different varieties that I don’t know how to pronounce. The brewing details are very precise, you can’t be off by a degree or you’ve ruined a batch. I enjoy these teas unadulterated because they are unique and rare but I think a simple breakfast tea is great with milk and honey or anyway the consumer prefers.
A friend of mine gifted me a large box of teas that tea snobs drink, it contains pressed teas and a whole bunch of different varieties that I don’t know how to pronounce. The brewing details are very precise, you can’t be off by a degree or you’ve ruined a batch. I enjoy these teas unadulterated because they are unique and rare but I think a simple breakfast tea is great with milk and honey or anyway the consumer prefers.
Er, it's Assam!
Good black tea with the right amount of hot milk and sugar per taste is delicious.
Good black tea with the right amount of hot milk and sugar per taste is delicious.
Why do American's say 'cream' when they mean 'milk'? (No one in their right mind - not even the English - would put cream in tea.) [*]
I was brought up drinking tea and coffee with milk; switched to black coffee when I was 12 and dropped milk from tea when I was in my 20's.
At least in England you only get a funny look when you refuse milk in tea; try doing that in India! I got the definite impression everytime I did just that it was obviously the weirdest thing anybody had ever done.
[*] I have a dilemma with today's Rugby Six Nations final games. Obviously I want Ireland to win the competition; but to do this not only must they beat Scotland but England need to beat France and deny France any bonus points (awarded for losing by less than 7 points or scoring more 4 tries or more). The dilemma for me is I never support England...
...my wife found this very funny when I mentioned it as she's never understood me supporting France against England (took her a while to realise it wasn't just France...).
I was brought up drinking tea and coffee with milk; switched to black coffee when I was 12 and dropped milk from tea when I was in my 20's.
At least in England you only get a funny look when you refuse milk in tea; try doing that in India! I got the definite impression everytime I did just that it was obviously the weirdest thing anybody had ever done.
[*] I have a dilemma with today's Rugby Six Nations final games. Obviously I want Ireland to win the competition; but to do this not only must they beat Scotland but England need to beat France and deny France any bonus points (awarded for losing by less than 7 points or scoring more 4 tries or more). The dilemma for me is I never support England...
...my wife found this very funny when I mentioned it as she's never understood me supporting France against England (took her a while to realise it wasn't just France...).
Americans—the ones I know— do not say cream when they mean milk. They know the difference and say it correctly.
I, one American, use only whole milk in black tea.
When I put dairy in my coffee - which I'd ordinarily drink black- it's because the coffee is poor. Either cream or milk will do.
Don't forget the song "You're the cream in my coffee...."
Yes my statement was a bit of an extreme generalisation although I would say that whenever I (or more often someone I'm with) has ordered tea in a restaurant or diner in the US the waiter/waitress has almost always asked if we want 'cream and sugar' with it.
Sad news about loose tea consumption in England. I have always thought that afternoon tea was among the most civilized of traditions, and while it probably continues it lacks something without a proper pot.. I appreciate the use of a bit of milk and sugar but have learned to enjoy tea (and coffee) black. Sometimes, however, the tannins in certain teas require at least a little whole milk.
I seldom order tea in restaurants, and it'd have to be tea time when I do. And fairly high end. I'd expect in low end restaurants and especially diners the wait staff would offer cream. No surprise, but also not representative of "Americans".
As I said, I made an extreme (and probably stupid) generalisation and would be more than happy to rephrase my original statement as "Why do some Americans"? Unfortunately edit is time limited so I can't.
Education through TV! Impressive! I've been to England and never saw or was offered cream in my tea. Be advised, "biscuits" are actually cookies in the US. "Crumpets" are sorta, kinda, like muffins. Also, there is something called, "high tea" which is a more formal feed and tea in the afternoon. Dressier also.
Now your education is closer to complete with regard to "tea time" in England.
I put sugar and milk in my coffee so why wouldn't I put it in tea? I don't need some tea/coffee snob telling me how to drink it.
Tea can be enjoyed with or without milk. Most of the time I would drink it without milk, sugar, cream or any other condiments as I prefer teas which are nuanced and naturally aromatic - (Mostly Darjeelings, occasionally Oolong, etc). It also helps avoid calories unnecessarily. Traditional flavored tea like Earl Grey, Lapsang Souchong also can be enjoyed without milk or sugar.
However the following also hit the mark occasionally
1. Strong tea (Assam, etc) with cream, sugar, Ginger, Green Cardamom, Saffron. If cream is not handy milk is also OK, but best variety of this should be like a milkshake. Also tastes good with Earl Grey.
2. A strong tea with a dash of lemon, a hint of sugar and rock salt. This is a savory tea
However the following also hit the mark occasionally
1. Strong tea (Assam, etc) with cream, sugar, Ginger, Green Cardamom, Saffron. If cream is not handy milk is also OK, but best variety of this should be like a milkshake. Also tastes good with Earl Grey.
2. A strong tea with a dash of lemon, a hint of sugar and rock salt. This is a savory tea
I have never known an Englishman put cream in his tea,milk sometimes cream never
Did I miss something?? Who is telling whom how to drink it?
We don’t, as a general rule, add cream to tea or coffee in these parts, we leave that to our cousins across the pond who prefer their tea in the harbour (poor form).
A splash of milk in any of the Assam blends (usually referred to as “breakfast tea”) is acceptable to most tea drinkers round here; a slice of lemon with a Ceylon, Darjeeling or an Earl/Lady Grey is preferred by some.
I purchased a First Flush Darjeeling today and it has a beautiful citrus flavour that can be drunk black, perfectly well.
The tea bag variety of tea can best be thought of as the OTC blends; suitable on a daily basis but more interesting teas are available.
I believe, the last study taken, found that we Brits drink more coffee than tea these days but that could have more to do with the proliferation of American coffee houses, quite content to charge £5 for a cup of coffee and we are daft enough to go along with it ??.
It is quite anachronistic to think that we sit down to tea in the mid afternoon, complete with cucumber sandwiches with the crusts cut off and that we sit down to our evening meal, dressed as if we are attending a wedding I’m afraid. modern Britain is not a Downton Abbey Disneyland documentary you know.
?
I’m a tea fan but only green tea will I enjoy neat. Most black teas call for milk. Lapsang Souchong with its smoky taste is delicious slightly sweetened and with milk.
Many of you may recall my saying that I’ve been enjoying sweet, hot tea with Granger as it makes the flavor pop? There you go! It’s become my favorite accompaniment to a bowl of Granger.
Coffee
️ I prefer black and I always taste my coffee first before deciding whether it would benefit from a splash of cream. Especially fine restaurant coffee. — Never sugar in coffee, black or with cream.
Pegasus is best alongside of a cup of coffee. A favorite pairing. I also enjoy espresso.
I’m getting quite fussy aren’t I ??
Many of you may recall my saying that I’ve been enjoying sweet, hot tea with Granger as it makes the flavor pop? There you go! It’s become my favorite accompaniment to a bowl of Granger.
Coffee
️ I prefer black and I always taste my coffee first before deciding whether it would benefit from a splash of cream. Especially fine restaurant coffee. — Never sugar in coffee, black or with cream. Pegasus is best alongside of a cup of coffee. A favorite pairing. I also enjoy espresso.
I’m getting quite fussy aren’t I ??
Assman, it seems to me, would be a very strong and highly unpleasant type of tea.
I love my tea black (or green), i.e. no milk/cream or sugar. I think the milk softens the tannins slightly for people who get a sour stomach from tea neat. I love tea. It's always given me a slight buzz that is elevated compared to coffee or coke. I like my tea hot or iced. Alas, every ten years or so, I've had kidney stones, which has about ended my tea drinking. Women have compared the pain to childbirth. I can't make the comparison, but I have given up a delight to avoid it. I liked bergamot and other flavorings, but plain teas best, like Darjeeling and other varieties. I think "high tea" has gotten adapted as a tourist event, but I do like the variety of hokey little sandwiches that pass as "high tea," and the little cakes for dessert, both of which I can eat a truck load.