The cuppa has some new celebri-tea fans
11th May 2009
Taking tea has always been thought of as a quintessentially British past-time but, with the approval of America's A list, afternoon tea's popularity is set to go stella in 2009.
It's been revealed that American Becoming Jane Austen actress Anne Hathaway loves a proper cup of tea. During UK-based filming, the Oscar nominated star picked up some rather particular habits about the way she takes her tea, making sure that milk is always poured into the cup first.
It's a contentious issue - the milk first or last question could almost bring best friends to blows! Although the Royal Society of Chemistry 'proved' that milk should go in first, the late author George Orwell believed that milk last made more sense, writing, "by putting the tea in first and stirring as one pours, one can exactly regulate the amount of milk, whereas one is likely to put in too much milk if one does it the other way round".
Wise words indeed - but instead of picking a tea that needs the addition of milk, why not try a blend suited to drinking straight up? Tea writer, trainer and consultant Jane Pettigrew describes the differences, "The lighter China blacks are better without milk, whereas Ceylon and Assam black teas - which have a naturally stronger character and infuse more tannins into the water - take milk well".
Jane explains the science bit, "Teas that infuse more tannins release more bitterness - they drink well with milk because the milk smoothes the taste". Therefore a light Oolong, green tea or Darjeeling is best served as a solo brew while something darker, like Kenyan black tea, needs milk. Check out this chart to find out which teas are best drunk with or without milk. But whatever the blend, and drunk with or without milk, we think that tea always tastes great - as does quirky pop star Lady Gaga...
The Let's Dance singer has been proclaiming her "addiction" to tea in interviews and on a recent visit to London carried a delicate china tea-cup and saucer everywhere she went, even on an appearance on Friday Night with Jonathan Ross! But unfortunately things took a turn for the worse when the precious cup and saucer were misplaced and Gaga (real name Stefani Germanotta) allegedly threw a tantrum until a minion was sent to find them.
Despite her diva antics, Gaga's reliance on a specific cup makes perfect sense. Earlier this year Dr Tom Stafford, a psychologist from Sheffield University, proved that tea tastes better in a favourite mug, with 65% of Brits using their favourite in which to take tea.
As well as the cup-carrying, Gaga revealed her love of tea in a recent BBC interview, telling the interviewer, "I wish we were sitting down having tea. I love tea. I must have tea five times a day". At least she's getting her recommended dose of antioxidants! She continued, "Whenever I've got press interviews, I always have a whole tea set. It really relaxes me. I love tea so much. When I have tea, I feel like I can think clearly and I give a real intelligent interview. Right now, I'm waiting for my tea to come upstairs to my room and I'm like a heroin addict."
The 'whole tea set' that Gaga described offers the ultimate in relaxation and refreshment, if served properly, so we can understand her craving! The levels of caffeine in a cup have also been credited with improving alertness, hence Gaga's opinion that she's able to "think clearly" on drinking the brew. Leyla Mussaud, Manager of Brown's English Tea Room (winner of The Tea Guild's Top London Afternoon Tea Award 2009) revealed her tips for making the perfect cup of tea, "When making tea it's important to use good-quality loose leaf tea and I recommend using spring water to brew it as it has high oxygen levels and is pure and fresh".
According to The Tea Guild's criteria and guidelines on what makes a great afternoon tea experience, milk and sugar should be provided along with hot water, and the serving staff should always inform guests how long their pot has been brewing. Leyla also adds that a really special afternoon tea would comprise of "efficient, knowledgeable and attentive staff who know about the teas offered" and "a relaxing and comfortable setting in which to sit back and indulge yourself!" Something we're sure these super busy celebrities could do with - along with all of us super busy civilians!
Photo Credits:
Lady Gaga from Matrixphotos.com via DailyMail.co.uk