Funny the things we get het up about. American television reporter and presenter Michael Manning could not see why he had to pay for a tea refill. While free coffee refills are part of the unspoken American constitution, the issue of whether the same applies to a second tea bag seems to be very much a grey area.
Now Michael could probably afford to buy the entire restaurant where he took his mom for a Mother’s Day treat. But the idea was firmly entrenched in his mind that a refill should be free. Michael’s reaction was something like: “Whaaat? I had never been hit with this before.”
The American way of drinking tea is also very amusing, I have never heard of “tethering tea” before, which means having two cups of tea from one tea bag.
Whenever I visited my English friend Angie in the States, I was always asked to take over a couple of boxes of PG Tips and she would parsimoniously re-use each tea bag too, savouring every part of it until there was nothing left to squeeze. And Liptons does just not compare to a good British brew.
Talking of tea reminds me that I must visit the nearby delightful and very special Peacock’s Tearoom in an idyllic setting by the river in Ely which recently scooped the top Tea Guild’s Award. It is run by a former solicitor, George Peackock, who I would regularly see when court reporting, and his partner Rachel Lemkov; they both made sweeping career changes which have thankfully paid off.
What makes them so special is their fabulous home cooked food and tea sourced from all over the world to refresh and tease the tastebuds. Rachel’s favourites are the Pleine Lune – which is flavoured with vanilla, almonds, and with a few cornflowers thrown in – and the delicious Chocolate Imperial.
If the Americans can have free coffee refills, do you think we should insist on free tea refills in the UK as it is our national drink? I’ll have to ask George his views on this.
Michael, if you are ever in the area, I will treat you to a proper English tea, and you can forget the weak and tasteless Liptons. Excuse me now while I put the kettle on….
Ellee, I can’t read the first paragraph as the text is covered by the photo. Did the tea come in a pot or what? I don’t know that refills should be free – half price, perhaps. People make hopeless tea here and I cannot hide my expression of horror as I watch friends making it.
Welshcakes, All I know is that he ordered “hot tea” and it arrived in the form of a tea bag, cup and hot water.
The pic is ok my end, but I do know you have this problem from time to time, usually when I print a bigger pic.
I guess you have converted to coffee in Sicily. I would love to take you to Peacock’s too if you ever visit.
The teapot is the answer – but should also be accompanied by a hot water pot, in my view. Isn’t it amazing how organisations can turn a good experience into a poor one so easily. What does an extra teabag actually cost? “Free” refills when someone is being served like this is so easy to do and adds value for very little cost.
I am also a teabag carrier – taking them to France (again its the PG Tips). I’ve even been known to post them when my parents’ stocks are running low.
I am trying to learn to drink tea, but I need guidance. I’m an ex-coffee drinker.
The idea of getting two cups of tea from one tea bag seems peculiar, though. I wouldn’t have even thought of trying that.
I’m quite fussy with my tea and prefer loose leaf tea if possible. When at home I typically have Russian Caravan for early morning tea, and Earl Grey Blue Lady in my Wedgewood teapot for afternoon.
What I can’t stand is a paper cup in which the milk has been added before a tea bag has had time to diffuse!
Fortunately for Canadians, due to our British heritage and Commonwealth ties, we still know how to make proper tea in the British fashion. But, I must mention that when I lived in the UK in the early 80s you could not get a decent cup of coffee anywhere. people were still serving ‘instant’ swill and calling it coffee. Today, however, as I found in November, even in Great Yarmouth I could get a coffee second to none. How refreshing.
Ian
Tea is always better from a teapot…served with a pot of hot water too.
Best drank out of a china cup.
I love Assam tea… Geoff enjoys Lapsang Souchong
Looking forward to seeing you at week-end Ellee….
I’m a coffe man! double espresso
But I can always be tempted by a refreshing cuppa (or fruity infusions) in fine china!
That’s true, Ellee. It’s so alien to ask for a refill here in England, but I think it’s a good thing.
Absolutely right all those who have recommended leaf tea in a pot with an additional pot of hot water.
Teabags are generally the lowest quality of tea and despite the fact that in 11 years I have signally failed to get Mrs Sana to see sense on this issue, I do not understand why anyone would want one, let alone 2 cups of builders tea from teabags!
“Whaaat? I had never been hit with this before.”
I’m looking forward to his report on the beer. “Whaaaaat? It’s not ice cold and it tastes of something?”
I thought tea bags were illegal over by you (as we sometimes say in Chicago).
I’ve seen people get the little tea pots here — which is probably two cups worth — and that probably solves 98% of the problem, right?
Tounge now planted firmly in cheek: At least our American correspondents are showing the cultural sensitivity American tourists are too often alleged to lack….
A train driver would want 2 cups of builder’s tea from a tea bag – actually I would expect that builders are now into their exclusive herbal varieties as their vast remuneration these days enables them to enjoy the finer things. I am now expert at making a brew on the stove of a class 37 diesel locomotive and the tea bag has to be the best invention ever – it certainly avoids a lot of buggeration and has brought the taste of the Orient to the masses.
Did you know that tea was not meant to be mixed with milk ? This was the practice of cotton mill workers to help clear the throat of cotton dust.
I have, in the past, re-used tea bags and this is no problem so long as the bag is withdrawn from the water long enough. It is also worth hanging them out on a washing line so that they can be kept for drought conditions and sucked later.
Why is it “let’s have a NICE cup of tea?” or “I’ll make you a NICE cup of tea” or “Would you like a NICE cup of tea?”
I don’t suppose that there is any link between the Boston Tea Party, a disgruntled American and the Cutty Sark is there?
jailhouselayer – lol
So that’s what it was all about
No wonder americans expect two cuppas for the price of one.
Having said that, continental europe is losing the habit of pouring you a refresher or second cup of coffee.
Alas all bad habits start in Britain
If you want a second cup you pay for a second cup.
But it is nice to go for afternoon tea and cream cakes in a garden or teahouses in Cornwall and the south coast, where they still serve the traditional pot of tea (with an additional pot of hot water) and you can get a second cup or even three for free …
well not quite free, but included in the price.
Kevin, You will be delighted to know that you can get a builders’ tea at Peacocks, and they throw an extra teaspoon of tealeaves in the pot for free too. MY treat if you ever this way. And you will have a marvellous view of the river and the railway on the other side of the bank.
In fact, I will treat any of my blogging friends to a cuppa in Peacocks, my pleasure.
And you can’t beat a builder’s bacon sandwich with brown sauce – or am I pushing my luck now, Ellee ? A cup of tea and a chat with you does sound wonderful though.
Someone should really introduce PG Tips to America _ I never see it when I’m over there. It is the only tea I like, in fact it is the finest of all! The other mass-market brands over here are disgusting and the ‘fancy, upscale’ brands that tend to make it to the States are either peculiar or mediocre and always overpriced. As a marketer, I also love the PG Tips branding: the red/white/green combo manages to be classic and modern all at the same time….
I’ve just returned from a couple of weeks in Florida, just in time for a discussion about Americans and tea (!)
The first time I flew over I was offered a NICE cup of tea (Eurodog, a cup of tea should always be nice). The tea was Tetley (US). In order to drink it, I had to ask for a second teabag and opted to keep it in the mug while I tried, desperately, to generate colour and flavour.
Since then I have learned not to drink tea in the States. I take PG Tips over with me for my friends as they are criminally expensive in the US. The ‘world market’ stores will charge a few dollars for a small box. The European Street Cafe (yes, it is called that and I’m tempted to ask which street they mean) sell PG Tips for extortionate prices. Last time I went, a box with ‘value £1.49’ written on it was being sold for $11!!
To be fair to Floridians, they live in a southern state so tea is usually of the iced variety, sweetened as it is ‘brewed’. The nicest iced tea drink you can get (IMO) is called Arnold Palmer and is a mix of traditional lemonade and iced tea. Lovely.
The US/UK refill debate is interesting – it would be nice to get free refills on beverages…
Eurodog and Serena, A nice “cup of tea” is said because it is used to soothe people during times of upset, it is very comforting. And a sweet tea is nearly always offered to help those suffering from shock. I find a cuppa very revitalising and refreshing. My favourites are Twinnings Breakfast and Earl Grey, but I am also very fond of fruit teas.
Ellee: You had me laughing here. With coffee and tea, it’s true that we are used to free refills here (U.S.) when dining. But I feel certain you have the Best teas where you live and should I travel there, I’ll treat!
Hi Ellee. It’s very amusing to find our little tearoom discussed in international circles like this. You must come and see us soon.
On the question of refills, It isn’t quite as grim in the uk as might appear. This is how we do it. First of all we don’t use tea bags, so you get a proper teapot with about three cups to start with. Then we make it clear that we’re happy to give a pot of hot water, or, even better, we’ll refill the pot with boiling water (and give another refill if you’re not bursting at the seams after 6 cups). Some teas, such as oolongs, even improve with the second brew. Finally to encourage people to be adventurous faced with a choice of 60-odd teas, we always offer to give them a different blend if their first choice isn’t all they hoped.
And perhaps I should add that (as you no doubt know) at Ely’s best restaurant The Old Fire Engine House they always offer you free seconds of the main dish you order.
Look forward to seeing you (and other bloggers
George
Hi George, what a lovely surprise to hear from you, I promise I will be in soon. I’m so pleased it’s going well for you.