Thousands to choose from...
Fact: there are 1,500 varieties of tea present in Britain. Name it, and you can bet they have it. They have a wide selection of difference in color, taste and even in style.
Here are some of them:
1. Indian Teas - India is considered to be the number one producers of teas. In fact, they export about 12 percent of the teas worldwide.
But the 3 most popular types of Indian tea famous in United Kingdom are:
a. Assam Tea - is a very strong tea usually very good to being blended.
b. Darjeeling tea - is home grown in the northern part of India. It is a mild and tender tea perfect to be served as an afternoon tea.
c. Ceylon tea - a little bit stronger than Darjeeling tea. It has a very sharp taste and also very aromatic.
Others:
Also famous in United Kingdom are:
• Ceylon Broken Orange Pekoe tea
• Darjeeling Orange Pekoe tea
Note: Orange does not describe the tea having an orange flavor but on the size of the tea leaf instead.
1. China Teas - the founder of teas; no wonder it is one of the main producers of tea worldwide.
Typical favorites are:
a. Lapsang Souchong - is probably the most famous of teas China has ever produced. It has known to be produced in Northern Fujian. It had been described having a smoky scent and taste.
b. Yunnan - is a black tea from the Yunnan province. It has a pronounced earthy taste often associated with Assam teas. It is best served as a breakfast tea.
A closer look...
Britain prides of selling one of the best teas in the world, English style. All in all, it has about 1500 varieties of English teas to choose from
Among the famous blends are the following:
1. English breakfast - is full blended and bodied. Also described as rich and robust. This is blended together with milk plus sugar.
2. English - this black tea is medium blended. It is refreshing and bright. This is where strong Kenyan and Assam teas are mixed with Ceylon.
3. Earl Grey - this black tea is mixed with bergamot oil
4. Irish breakfast - several teas are blended together such as Assam teas (commonly) and other black teas (uncommon)
5. Masala chai - this is a traditional tea from India and is shortly becoming famous in the West. It mixes black tea with milk, spices and other sweeteners such as honey and sugar.
Here are some of the famous brands Britain has to offer:
1. PG Tips - is a loose tea. It was formerly called Pre-Gest-Tee. It was introduced In greta Britain in the year 1930s. To shorten it, consumers call it "PG" instead. PG tips are the leaders in the teas industries. Such a feat was achieved by the introduction of tea bags in the year 1960s. They even made brewing teas an ease by adding a string and a tag in the tea bags. They are now sold in tea bags of pyramid shapes, which again improved brewing of teas. Their teas also come in decaffeinated form, in loose bags, in freeze dried tea, bags made for one cups and even a special blend of tea most loyal customers love.
2. Typhoo Tea Limited - it was known to be establish in the UK in the year 1903. It is known to be the pioneers in selling teas in packages and it will not be long that in 1960s, it will lead the pack in selling teas. Some of the tea products they sell include: Ridgways tea, Lift instant tea, red mountain tea, London fruit and Herb and even Glengettie tea. Others include Melrose' Quality and Fresh brew tea.
3. Taylors of Harrogate - this brand started in 1886. They are known to be not only tea producers but environmental activists as well. It is a family owned business. They offer black teas, oolong teas, green teas, white teas and even other fruit and herbal infusion teas.
4. Twinings - this company was founded in the year 1706 and to date has been selling more than 86 different types of teas. They are even sold in over 100 countries all over the world. Some of the famous specialty blends they offer are keemun and Yunna. They even have herbal and fruit infusions in to offer.
5. Harrisons and Crosfield Limited - is considered a very classic merchant of English teas. They have made it their lifetime goal to ensure the highest quality and taste of teas. They sell organic and non-organic teas. Other forms include: black teas, green teas and white teas. They also offer fruity and herbal infusions.
Manners please...
If you find yourself in a situation where you are obliged to drink an English tea, here are some of the tea etiquettes to observe while doing so. For in the English, it is not just about drinking teas. It's the manner itself. A cultural passion and expression embraced by each and every Englishman.
1. As for tea cups with a handle, the proper method for you to do is to put your finger at the front as well as the back of the handle. The smallest (pinkie) finger should be gently raised for balance purposes. But do not force yourself to raise it straight up, but rather, it should be slightly tilted. This is not for aesthetic purpose or for vanity's sake but a nice way of preventing spills of tea. And also, do not loop your fingers through the handle. And do not hold the vessel bowl using the palm of your hand.
2. The cup with no handles will be a little bit complicated. The proper and best way to hold the vessel of the cup without any handle is to place your thumb at a 6 o clock position. You index finger as well as your middle finger should then be placed at a 12 o clock position. As for the final touch, your smallest finger (the pinkie finger) should be gently raised to be able to gain balance. If done right, rest assured that no hot tea will be spilled into you.
3. It is not proper to use a teaspoon and stir the tea in circular motions. The teaspoon should be placed at a 6 o clock position. Then, you should gently but surely fold the tea liquid towards the 12 o clock position. This should be done about 2 to 3 times only. Also, do not leave the teaspoon in the tea cup. The tea spoon should be placed on the right hand corner of the saucer when in use and on the back of the saucer when not in use. You should never hold or wave the tea cup in the air.
4. When you are in a buffet tea, keep the tea saucer in your lap using your left hand and the right hand should be used to hold the cup. There is only one occasion wherein the saucer of the cup is raised together with the cup, and that is when you are standing.
5. Remember that cream is not served with tea, but milk. Cream, for the British is considered is too strong and heavy. It actually hides the true taste of the tea. It is advised to pour the milk after tea is in the cup and not at first to be able to gauge the right amount.
6. If teas are served with lemon, wedges are not preferred to be used. Instead, slices of lemon are utilized. Have a tea server neatly put the lemon slice in the tea cup after tea is poured or else provide a tiny lemon fork for the guests. And make sure milk is never mixed with lemon or vice versa since this will cause an unwanted effect: it will curdle the proteins present in milk.
Huang Jiung,
Chinese Weight Loss Tea for BEGINNERS