Mistress MJ took to her bed at the news that such classic British icons as red phone boxes, red pillar post boxes and Routemaster double-decker buses were disappearing. (Oddly enough, they’re all red!)
As one who watches too much British telly, Mistress MJ has noticed an appalling trend: English folk preparing their tea by dunking a tea bag in a mug instead of taking the time to brew it properly in a TEAPOT!
Teapot sales had halved in the past five years, while demand for mugs had trebled. Tea served in a teapot and poured into China cups is the traditionally British way, but modern drinkers prefer what the retailer called a "lazier method".
Lazy method pictured here…
Proper method pictured here..
But there is hope.
Enter the Campaign for Civilised Tea Drinking.
Says Debenham’s home design expert Alison Hill: “Tea served in a pot has always been a feature of British life – it’s as famous as the Tower of London or Big Ben. As well as being an historic, pivotal part of everyday family life for generations, tea has helped us through the Blitz, and many hard times since then. We believe it is an essential part of what it means to be British, and therefore we want to do all that we can to preserve this practice for the future.
Save the teapot! Save our cuppa!
Although not a tea drinker, I am willing to assist The Mistress in her quest for proper tea bagging.
ReplyDeleteI haven't seen a teapot being used properly for years. In cafes you get a teapot with tea bags inside it.
ReplyDeleteLX: That’s the spirit…take one for the team!
ReplyDeleteGEOFF: I’ve also noticed beer being drunk straight from the BOTTLE rather than the traditional pint glass.
What the hell is going on across The Pond?
Well, if you ask me, nothing's been the same since Princess Margaret died.
ReplyDeleteExcept that there seems to be a great deal more gin to go around...
GOD! I so wish they'd bring back horse-drawn trams
ReplyDeleteGood morning MJ,
ReplyDeleteI've no need for the butler, but could you tell me where I could get a coffee table like that?
MUSCATO: Well, if you ask me, nothing's been the same since Princess Margaret died.
ReplyDeleteExcept that there seems to be a great deal more gin to go around...
Infomaniac Bitches “Princess” and “Mistress Maddie” will be pleased to hear about the gin surplus.
DEEP BLUE JON: GOD! I so wish they'd bring back horse-drawn trams
Agreed…I understand there used to be one on Montreal’s rue Notre-Dame.
KARL: Good morning MJ,
I've no need for the butler, but could you tell me where I could get a coffee table like that?
That photo was taken inside the Infomaniac household.
You’ll get a discount on a coffee table if you agree to be our serving wench for the day.
blame it on the queen, but not the corgis.
ReplyDeleteIt's more difficult to get hold of loose leaf tea... and tea chests these days as well.
ReplyDeleteIt's just another sad symptom of British decline :-(
Sx
NORMADESMOND: blame it on the queen, but not the corgis.
ReplyDeleteFine. It’s YOUR fault.
But not your little dogs too.
SCARLET: It's more difficult to get hold of loose leaf tea... and tea chests these days as well.
It's just another sad symptom of British decline :-(
And do you know how hard it is to get a teapot here that isn’t made in China?
Beware the high lead and toxin levels in ceramics from that country.
We have a nice red phone box AND an old red double-decker bus here in Fairhaven, next to the Tea Shoppe (where tea is done right, with over 60 tea varieties to choose from), if you need actual tactile reassurance those things still abide.
ReplyDeleteYes, come to Fairhaven Washington, U.S.A., for all your authentic British needs. *returns to Tardis*
..although you'll have to go to Lake Havasu to see the London Bridge.
ReplyDeleteI'll take a double tall, skinny with a shot of vanilla. Do you have soy?
ReplyDeleteOh, sorry. We don't drink tea here.
NATIONS: We have a nice red phone box AND an old red double-decker bus here in Fairhaven, next to the Tea Shoppe (where tea is done right, with over 60 tea varieties to choose from), if you need actual tactile reassurance those things still abide.
ReplyDeleteYes, come to Fairhaven Washington, U.S.A., for all your authentic British needs. *returns to Tardis*
..although you'll have to go to Lake Havasu to see the London Bridge.
I remember our cream tea expedition when you flashed your big knockers.
You have to go to Lynden, Washington to see a real Dutch windmill.
BOXER: I'll take a double tall, skinny with a shot of vanilla. Do you have soy?
Oh, sorry. We don't drink tea here.
Seattle…home of Starbucks, of course.
My friend used to go to the original although relocated 1912 Pike Place Starbucks like it was some kind of Mecca.
It is rather sad that now one only finds the tea party in the "cosy" English mystery stories. At least over at the blog MadHattery one can see that one of the British traditions hasn't died out completely. It is reassuring that the Queen wears her matching hats a coats not to mention Tiaras.
ReplyDeleteI confess ... I am a lazy tea maker.
ReplyDeleteNot by choice.
It's damn near impossible to find loose tea any more!
So sad .....
The crap in bags is simply the dust and debris they sweep up after packaging the loose tea leaves. No wonder it tastes so bland and metallic.
ReplyDeleteWhat an adorable cause Mistress...
ReplyDeleteDid you happen to know that Princess enjoys collecting teapots?
I find that there is nothing as comforting, relaxing or more stimulating than brewing a good pot of Lapsang Suchong... using my grandmothers rule of a spoonful of loose tea for each person at the table... "and one for the pot". And... the pot must be warmed before brewing and then covered with a tea cosy to help maintain the heat once it's brewing. A tea strainer is optional.
Like most modern trends I abhor tea-baggers... What's wrong with the occasional leaf between the teeth?
TB: It is rather sad that now one only finds the tea party in the "cosy" English mystery stories. At least over at the blog MadHattery one can see that one of the British traditions hasn't died out completely. It is reassuring that the Queen wears her matching hats a coats not to mention Tiaras.
ReplyDeleteThe MadHattery?
Thank you for finding yet another place for me to waste quality time.
BLAZNG SCARLET: I confess ... I am a lazy tea maker.
Not by choice.
It's damn near impossible to find loose tea any more!
So sad .....
Take time for tea!
PEENEE: The crap in bags is simply the dust and debris they sweep up after packaging the loose tea leaves. No wonder it tastes so bland and metallic.
You look tired, dear.
Use the teabags to reduce the puffiness under your eyes.
PRINCESS: What an adorable cause Mistress...
Did you happen to know that Princess enjoys collecting teapots?
I find that there is nothing as comforting, relaxing or more stimulating than brewing a good pot of Lapsang Suchong... using my grandmothers rule of a spoonful of loose tea for each person at the table... "and one for the pot". And... the pot must be warmed before brewing and then covered with a tea cosy to help maintain the heat once it's brewing. A tea strainer is optional.
Like most modern trends I abhor tea-baggers... What's wrong with the occasional leaf between the teeth?
Yes, Mistress MJ warms the pot first (and the cup) and covers the pot with a tea cosy.
I often use loose tea but have teabags on hand as well.
Why don’t you do a post of your teapot collection? I’d love to see it.
Tea?
ReplyDeleteThank you, I'm not ill.
You'll have some tea... are you sure you don't want any? Aw go on, you'll have some. Go on go on go on go on go on go on go on go on GO ON!
ReplyDeleteWhat a delightful suggestion MJ...
ReplyDeleteI can work on a little brew in my down time...
Now , a PROPER hostess and Mistress always serves tea in a teapot. Don't those bitches know that! Only for my special company, like yourself and your readers, do my houseboys use their special teabagging talents! It a fun sight! I say lets have a tea party........
ReplyDeleteIf ya wanna hump it, bump it with a crumpet...
ReplyDeleteo'cha o kudasai!
ReplyDeleteOhnocha in the chocha huh?
ReplyDeletePrincess has gone potty...
ReplyDeleteKabuki has had a big ole glass of southern sweet iced tea or six everyday of his entire life. Never a coffee Thanx. Cuz that's how viginia boys roll.
ReplyDeleteMAGO: Tea?
ReplyDeleteThank you, I'm not ill.
Is it any wonder that the English and the Germans don’t get along?
MITZI: You'll have some tea... are you sure you don't want any? Aw go on, you'll have some. Go on go on go on go on go on go on go on go on GO ON!
No thanks, Mrs. Doyle.
Oh go on then.
PRINCESS: What a delightful suggestion MJ...
I can work on a little brew in my down time...
WHAT down time?
MISTRESS MADDIE: Now , a PROPER hostess and Mistress always serves tea in a teapot. Don't those bitches know that! Only for my special company, like yourself and your readers, do my houseboys use their special teabagging talents! It a fun sight! I say lets have a tea party........
Since you’ve insisted, I’ve arranged to host a Saturday tea party.
THOMBEAU: If ya wanna hump it, bump it with a crumpet...
You’re a strumpet!
DEEP BLUE JON: o'cha o kudasai!
Gesundheit.
NATIONS: Ohnocha in the chocha huh?
Insane in the membrane?
PRINCESS: Princess has gone potty...
Better late than never!
KABUKI: Kabuki has had a big ole glass of southern sweet iced tea or six everyday of his entire life. Never a coffee Thanx. Cuz that's how viginia boys roll.
Kabuki is sweet enough already!