Although I’ve lived away from the UK for twenty years now
(and these past 11 months in Portland, Oregon) I still stick rigidly to my four 0'clock teatime ritual.
On Facebook
recently, author Elizabeth Duncan asked her friends and followers the question, “What is your favorite brand of tea?”
I used to adore Yorkshire Gold but now I find it too strong. I enjoy PG Tips but that could be because of “Cooeee Mr. Shifter” – a commercial from 1971. Hilarious.
I love Twinings (especially Lady Grey), I don’t mind Tetley,
I loathe Liptons (is that really tea? Seriously?) but my all-time favorite is …
French Breakfast Tea by Mariage Freres.
Quelle horreur! I hear my fellow countrymen
and anglophiles cry. But it’s true. I love it. Perhaps it’s the packaging … or
even the little muslin bags?
Drinking tea from the correct cup makes a difference, too.
 |
| Tottering-By-Gently |
My mother insists that only workmen on building sites or plumbers (I do not
share her opinion) drink tea from heavy mugs. Bone china is the only way to go.
I’m not a fan of a cup and saucer (the tea gets cold too quickly) so these
delicate mugs from Tottering-by-Gently are a perfect compromise.
But the true test of a good cuppa is in the way it’s made. And
if you want to know how … click on this link to my latest newsletter. You’ll also find details of a free contest for a chance to win a genuine Brown Betty teapot. All you have to do is guess the name
of the dog on the book cover of my brand new series that will be coming
out in May of 2014 called Murder at Honeychurch Hall. The contest ends December
1. Winners will be contacted by email and announced on Facebook.
But for now, my little alarm has just gone off. It’s 3.50 PM
exactly. In ten minutes I’ll be sitting down with my afternoon cuppa and a
McVitites chocolate digestive biscuit. Yum.
