MsSonnetMarwood
Posts: 1898
Joined: 2/10/2005 From: Eastern Shore, Maryland Status: offline
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quote:
ORIGINAL: LadyEllen MsSonnet - as you are clearly expert beyond the rest of us here could you settle it once and for all please; does the milk go in before the tea, or after? I prefer milk before, but then I also prefer coffee! E Why certainly. History lesson to ensue. The origin of putting the milk in the teacup first came about because china was very expensive and also very delicate - the hot tea being poured directly into the cup had a tendency to crack the cup in some cases. Therefore, some people added the milk first to protect the china. However. The "upper crust" of the wealthy always poured the tea in first, as a show of wealth, that it did not matter to them if the cup broke. And as you know, the "haves" always set the trends, not the "have nots". Today, the tea goes in first, then the milk, if milk is appropriate for that type of tea (it's not standard for all). Stir with a teaspoon, then place the teaspoon in the saucer. It's considered gauche to put the milk in the cup first. The advantage is that if the tea is poured in first you can check for appropriate color to make sure it was brewed properly.
< Message edited by MsSonnetMarwood -- 8/15/2006 12:46:11 PM >
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~Ms. Sonnet Marwood~ Deja Moo: The feeling you've heard this bull somewhere before.
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