How to drink tea properly? In England, where black tea is traditionally drunk, proper tea-drinking etiquette reflects education, manners and social status. This status has less to do with one's individual economic status than with one's social background and thus sophistication. So if you want to appear cultured and upscale, you should learn to drink your tea properly.
How to drink tea properly
Holding the cup
Originally, tea cups had no handle. In order not to spill the hot liquid when drinking, one must place the thumb at 6 o'clock and the index and middle fingers at 12 o'clock on a handleless teacup. For the right balance, the little finger is spread slightly.
Tea cups with handles are held by placing the handle between the thumb and the index and middle fingers. Here, too, the little finger is spread slightly for better balance. Under no circumstances is the index finger hooked through the handle or the belly of the cup held with the whole hand.
The little finger is not stretched straight up, but only spread slightly curved. Spreading the little finger is not an affectation, but an elegant method of avoiding spillage.
The teacup is only lifted to drink. Once you have taken a sip, place it back on the saucer. Don't wave the cup around in the air.
If the situation does not permit placing the cup on the table, the saucer is held on the lap with the left hand and the cup with the right hand. Lift the cup to drink and then put it down again. The saucer remains on the lap. The saucer and cup are only lifted at the same time during a standing reception.
The teaspoon
The teaspoon is used to distribute milk and sugar evenly in the tea, but it is not used for stirring, only for swirling in a circular motion.
The teaspoon is placed at the 6 o'clock position and folds the liquid over two or three times between the 6 and 12 o'clock positions. The teaspoon is placed on the side of a plate or the saucer. Never leave the spoon in the cup, especially when drinking.
Serving the tea
Milk, sugar or lemon are served with the tea. Cream is too heavy and ruins the flavour of the tea. First the tea is poured into the cup, then the milk after the tea has been steeped. The tea bag is taken out of the cup without being squeezed or wrapped with the thread of the tea bag. Place the tea bag on the side of the saucer or on a plate provided.
When serving with lemons, milk is not used because the citric acid causes the milk to curdle. Lemon slices are preferred. The lemon slice is placed on the tea with a lemon fork after it has been poured into the cup.
The tea is not used to wash down the food. You take a small sip without slurping and swallow it before eating.
Black tea, green tea, white tea, what is the difference?
How to drink tea properly: Do not stir under any circumstances
Tea must never be stirred in a circular motion! Stirring consists of placing the spoon in the cup at the 12 o'clock position and gently folding the liquid back and forth a few times to the 6 o'clock position; and never leave the teaspoon in the cup! When the teaspoon is not needed, it is placed back on the saucer to the right of the cup.
