Milk and sugar please!
by cricketjeff on December 2, 2008. © Jeff Green, All rights reserved
My friend goes raving on about Darjeeling,
He says the taste is all that keeps him sane.
Earl Grey is best, another says with feeling;
I think the two of them are quite a pain.
Assam, when plucked too early in the season,
A man I met says “isn’t quite the thing”.
Someone who wouldn’t give a proper reason,
Chose rotbusch as the drink that he would bring.
The Chinese and the Japanese have others,
Though theirs are green or brown and not for me.
We mostly learn the techniques from our mothers;
Of how to make the perfect cup of tea.
But all of these are far below the par –
I always want a cup of builder’s cha!
Author notes
Pass the crumpets, or preferably scones with clotted cream and strawberry jam.
Ummm Option 1 I guess, it appears to be all about TEA!!!
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For those who do not know “cha” is derived from the original Mandarin word for
tea, and was the word used by the British in India and then the Army for plain
ordinary tea. Builder’s cha is that drink all British householders are required
to produce for any visiting workman, it is sweet enough to stand the spoon up
and strong enough to dissolve it.
The correct technique for making the tea …
Fill the kettle with just enough freshly drawn water, just before it boils use
a small amount to preheat the pot (yes you have to use a pot!!!) then add a
large teaspoon of tea (preferably not tea bags but sometimes you don’t get the
choice) per person to the pot and pour the freshly boiling water over them.
Allow to stand for five minutes then place the required amount of milk in each
mug (cups are an insult!!! far too small) and pour in the rtea, sweeten to
taste and then start to drink. Heaven awaits.
English