Four years ago Brittnee and her friends made-up this tradition to have a tea party at Christmas time. Last year they missed their annual tea party, so I made sure they had one this year to continue with their tradition. Unlike previous years, I helped them out with the pre an post details. For my gratification I received the typical rolling of the eyes from Bree! I hope one day she will appreciate my knowledge to teach her how to be a lady! Taylor's cute reaction as she giggled..."We should have worn big puffy dresses!" Haha!! As I helped them, I explained the proper etiquette and the well known dispute between the Southerner’s and the Britt’s approach on pouring the milk first or tea first.
2.2.9.1. Should the milk go in the cups before or after the tea?
This question is a matter of great contention and bitter disagreement in Great Britain. Some people seem to approach it more fervently than they do matters of theology.
There is very little common ground in this debate. Perhaps the only thing both camps agree on is the historical fact that the earliest porcelain cups manufactured in England were likely to crack if very hot tea was poured directly into them. Placing the milk in the cup before adding the tea helped protect the cup. (Modern porcelain, however, does not need a milk buffer.) There is also some talk of "scalding" the milk, but some people say that milk-first scalds the milk; others, that tea-first scalds the milk. There is also disagreement about whether scalding the milk is good or bad; some say it improves the flavor, others that it ruins the milk.
Then there are those of us who consider the whole dispute somewhat akin to Scholastic debates about angels dancing on pinheads. One way to avoid the issue is to eschew milk completely. Still, I must admit that some tea (especially long-steeped English or Irish Breakfast) takes very well to a bit of milk.
This question is a matter of great contention and bitter disagreement in Great Britain. Some people seem to approach it more fervently than they do matters of theology.
There is very little common ground in this debate. Perhaps the only thing both camps agree on is the historical fact that the earliest porcelain cups manufactured in England were likely to crack if very hot tea was poured directly into them. Placing the milk in the cup before adding the tea helped protect the cup. (Modern porcelain, however, does not need a milk buffer.) There is also some talk of "scalding" the milk, but some people say that milk-first scalds the milk; others, that tea-first scalds the milk. There is also disagreement about whether scalding the milk is good or bad; some say it improves the flavor, others that it ruins the milk.
Then there are those of us who consider the whole dispute somewhat akin to Scholastic debates about angels dancing on pinheads. One way to avoid the issue is to eschew milk completely. Still, I must admit that some tea (especially long-steeped English or Irish Breakfast) takes very well to a bit of milk.
2 comments:
How cute. I love that they decided to do an anual christmas tea party. I love it!
How fun! My girls would love that!
Have a great Christmas!
Thanks Nanc! Get your girls started. They would have a blast!
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