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The Importance of Tea - To Health and Relationships

January 2014

It may not be immediately obvious to all as to how a (sniff) cup of tea is important to health and relationships. So let us consider, shall we, this importance (snuffle).

In chilly Britain the preparation and drinking of tea is based in practicality and reality. Originally it was very expensive and used for medicinal purposes - yes, that surprised you, I know. It was a medicine that cleared and disinfected the sinuses (sniff sniff) via the warm vapour and the important ingredient of Tannin .

Quote -

Tannins have shown potential antiviral, antibacterial and anti-parasitic effects. In the past few years tannins have also been studied for their potential effects against cancer through different mechanisms. Tannins, including gallo and ellagic acid (epigallitannins), are also inhibitors of HIV replication.”

- Unquote

Source Wikipedia

Amazing isn‘t it? Helps against not only the common cold but also cancers and HIV. Also it can be tolerated in the long term by the human body.

But that is not all - the boiling of the water effectively sterilized it, and hence prevents bacterial (germs) diseases such as Cholera, Typhoid, Botulism, Campylobacteriosis, E. coli Infection, Dysentery, Legionellosis, Leptospirosis, Salmonellosis, Vibrio Illness, and a host of other fascinating and fatal illness.

The British army, famous for it's tea drinking, was able to build the biggest empire the world had ever seen in an age when casualty rates from disease far exceeded that of enemy action. Was tea the real empire builder ?

(Short pause while I sip my tea - aaaaaahhh!)

From child

to lass

and to woman.

Mmm, needs a little more/less sugar. (Sugar content is vital)

That really hits the spot, and so germ free and healthy too !

For all life through, tea is the brew !

The British sinuses needed this treatment (sniff) because of the dank, murky, muggy, warmish air of the British Isles that is the ideal breeding and carrying medium for a host of germs, bacteria, and fungi (sniff sniff) resulting in chronic sinus problems and ‘head colds’. (sniff) This could and often did damage previously happy and stable relationships. My own dear departed wife often referred to me (sniff) as 'the sniffing horror’ and would leave the room in disgust.

(Short pause while I sip my tea)

It was not only the sinuses that benefit. The alimentary canal, the gut, is healthier for the regular dose of tannins in tea, resulting in healthy bowl movements that are so essential for healthy relationships. (Snuffle) What Woman, or Man, can sleep with and love a person with an unhealthy bowl ?

But then tea attained a social (sniff) significance as a social ceremony similar to the American cup of coffee. To imbibe a cup of tea together was a sign of bonding, (snuffle) of social relationship, a relationship that could deepen into intimacy. For example, when my dear departed wife first invited me into her home for a cup of (sniff sniff) tea, we both knew that this was a first step on a potentially long and intimate road; hence the deep thought and doubt, and my long hesitation before warily accepting.

Bonding over a cup of tea

This was a big step to take, and so it proved as we spent the next 20 years plus together, until death did us part. Well over 20 years during which the ‘let’s have a cup of tea’ was always an important part of our resolving difficult situations in our relationship. What happy days they were! (sigh, sniff sniff sniff sob)

(Short pause while I sip my tea deeply and have a snack)

Tea goes so well with comfort food. Unfortunately this is not slimming.

(Complete draining of my cup in one deep draught - (snuffle) where are those tissues ?)

Finally but most of all - tea (by itself !) is slimming, yes, slimming! And how important is that to any new young relationship?

From fat -

to slim

Tea is slimming !

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The Preparation and Partaking of Tea

Let us consider, shall we not, the preparation and partaking of tea as part of the modern male’s (or female‘s) wooing and courting of his (or her) dream woman (or man) Note - this should be approached with discipline and senior management organisational skill to demonstrate his (or her) worthiness as a partner and mate. Many a promising relationship start has been blighted by the poor presentation of a sloppy cup of tea, as the skilled wooer is well aware of. For example, the use of a mug, or even tea slopped into the saucer!

Wrong - the biscuit can become soggy in the event of spillage, and the spoon is ugly clutter

Right - the lemon is a sign of refinement

A Perfect Cup of Tea - the Preparation

1
Use thin bleach to keep both cup and tea spoon absolute clean. All traces of bleach must be remove by a minimum of three rinses, and scalding out.

2
Use fresh water from the tap for each boiling (brew-up)

3
Pre-warm the cup and tea spoon with boiling water.

4
Use only the very best tea. Tea bags are convenient, but loose tea is the best.

5
Pour the boiling water directly over the loose tea in a prewarmed tea pot, or onto the tea bag in the cup slowly, then dunk the bag until the tea is so strong that you cannot see through the water. Do not squeeze the bag as this will release the foul tasting and toxic undesirable chemicals.

6
The tannins content makes the difference between a good cup of tea and a bad one. As it take slightly longer to release the undesirable tannins than the other desirable chemicals, the timing of the tea making is essential. This is also why trying to use the same tea bag twice makes the most awful cup of tea. I know.

7
Add sugar at this point so the heat of the freshly poured boiling water insures the complete dissolving of the aforementioned sugar.

8
Place the tea spoon over the cup and gently pour the milk in over the tea spoon in order to accurately gauge the flow. Use the minimum amount of milk to neutralise the acidity of the tea.

9
Stir carefully and gently no less than six times, but no more than twelve.

10
Tea must be drunk in a series of short sips. The perfect sip is described below.

The Perfect Sip.

1
Raise the freshly made cup of tea to the relaxed lips.

Typical relaxed male lips - young and old

2
Purse the slightly parted lips forward and bring them down onto the edge of the cup.

3
Gently touch the edge of the cup to test the temperature. If the lips’ temperature sensors indicate that heat injury may occur then abandon the sip and replace the cup onto the saucer to cool until the temperature is safe.

4
It the lips’ temperature sensors indicate that the tea is too cool rather than hot, then throw the tea away and start again at step 1 of ‘the making of a perfect cup of tea‘.

5
If the temperature is satisfactory, then lower the lips further in a forwarding motion until the lower lip presses against the side of the cup sufficiently to form a water tight seal. Warning! this is most important. The upper lip should rest lightly on the surface of the tea.

Note - as females are not as muscular as males it may be necessary to pout the lower lip to insure a water tight seal.

6
Slightly tilt the cup towards the lips and, by sucking in the cheeks, create a lowered pressure in the mouth sufficient to draw a small quantity of tea into the mouth in a noiseless and genteel manner.

The perfect sip is now complete.

The Perfect Swallow.

The swallowing action involves quite powerful muscles that, if not carefully controlled, produce an inelegant gulping sound. This is highly undesirable in polite company.

To avoid this insure the sip takes in only a small volume of tea. If too much has been inadvertently taken then separate a small volume of fluid from the main body with the tongue and push it to the rear of the mouth ready to be swallowed.

To initiate the swallow push the tea to be swallowed gently and carefully to the back of the mouth with the tongue where the throat muscles can be contracted to force the tea into the oesophagus. From this point the swallow action becomes autonomic (not under voluntary control) and a process of peristalsis squeezes the tea down and into the stomach.

Warning - the entry of the tea into the stomach may cause the release of gas bubbles which, by virtue of their light density, will rise into the throat causing a small explosion. This is commonly referred to as a ‘belch’ which is embarrassing for all present. To avoid such an event be prepared for it. Upon detecting rising bubbles take swift action by swallowing again, or if too late, try to control the entry of the bubbles into the throat and mouth to minimise the noise, while disguising any noise with a gentle throat clearing or small cough.

The social skill of the perfect swallow should only be perfected by practise while alone.

DAILY DOSAGE -

As in all things, too much of a good thing is harmful. Excessive tea drinking can be unhealthy. A sensible maximum daily dosage is five cups per day.

SOURCE -

The British Civil Service 1911 manual on ‘The Making and Disposing of Light to Medium Liquid Refreshments’, now available on DVD, apply to The Nations Trust (TNT).

A more fuller and complete description can be found on my website of Modern Life Skills and Everyday Wisdom.

It is never too soon to learn to sip, as per instructions above

neuners nursing tea

( if the link does not work just copy and search for it )

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Coming shortly to this site - the preparation and partaking of the British aristocratic cup of tea for important relationships. Don’t (sniff) miss it!