About a week and a half ago, we invited our new pastor and his wife over for an evening tea (translation: dessert time with tea). I spent the day prepping the house so they wouldn't trip over Legos or stick to the kitchen floor, and make Ina's chocolate ganache cake for dessert.
Before they came, I asked Ethan if there was anything special he thought I should do about serving them tea. These were the first real British people we had ever had over to the house, and I didn't feel very culturally prepared. Ethan told me not to worry, and that if I did anything wrong, "Pastor Bernard would probably let me know" (he can be a little forward).
Well, after they arrived, I got the water boiling, and served up the cake. I then put out the cream and sugar, displayed our assortment of tea bags, and began filling up my tea cups with the hot water. Well, let's just say that Ethan was right. Pastor Bernard let me know right from the start that whatever I was doing was all wrong. He refused to take my tea cup of hot water.
Problem number one was that I didn't have a tea pot. The best way to prepare the tea is to have a thingy that holds the loose tea leaves in your pot (tea bags are apparently sub-standard), and then fill it with boiling water so that the water can infuse the tea. Then you pour from the tea pot once the tea has had its appropriate infusing time. So, being tea pot-less, and tea-leaf holder-less, at the very least, I should have asked what kind of tea they wanted, and then poured the water over the tea bag so it could infuse properly. It was also somehow inappropriate to ask them to dispose of their own tea bag onto their saucer. Whatever....
So, I chalked it up to a learning experience. Never have a Brit over for tea until I get a stinkin' tea pot!
The rest of our evening was fine. It was nice to get to know him and his wife (who is actually from South Africa), and to learn more about the church. He thanked me for my cup of tea as they were leaving (much like a teasing big brother would). Lucky for him, he hasn't mentioned it since. :)
I Am.
8 months ago
5 comments:
So funny! I have to admit I like to have my tea bag in my cup first then pour the water over it too. It always seems to work better. I'm sure by the time you come home, you'll have learned the art of tea making in all of its glory! :) BTW, I've heard that that's more health benefits to using loose tea, but I forget why . . .
And, he said all that to a woman who is pregnant..is he nuts? :)
You are very brave to have stepped out of your comfort zone. You will have to give us all lessons when you return. I'm sure you will be an expert at high tea, like Danielle said.
that is a very funny story!!! i love it. if you ever come across one of those fun toast servers (the stainless steel ones that have slots to put the toast on a table for guests) pick one up for me. ever since i was in england i've wanted one!!
What a great story--I'm comiserating with you. Until I met my husband's family, I had never used one of these pots. In fact, I still don't, but we have those individual cup mesh steepers and do enjoy the loose leaf tea. Eventually I want to buy a nice big pot, preferrably the handpainted Polish kind.
Have you ever added cream/milk to your tea? The only time I do this is when I make chai. Just curious if most Brits use the cream.
I always add milk to my tea (except herbal, which I don't care for, actually). I love Earl Gray, Irish Breakfast, and other hearty strong flavors. I'm curious if most Brits drink a certain type of tea, or do they enjoy all types (herbal, black, green, etc.)
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