The perfect cuppa in the morning can do wonders for our day. Tea-drinkers will swear by the health benefits present in one cup of tea. It is a great mood enhancer and stamina builder; most people cannot do without their cuppa every morning.
The tea claims its humble beginnings in China. There is a myriad of stories about how it began, some downright gruesome, but tea’s origin revolutionized the world. China was the leading exporter until Europe joined the fray and began exporting tea as well. Tea has advanced over the years; there are premium tea available now, made from specially grown leaves to create the perfect brew.
THE PERFECT CUPPA
Since its inception, tea has evolved into oolong, yellow, herbal, green, matcha, etc. The availability of these various options has led to tea becoming a status symbol. So much so that there are tea leaves available for a million AUD.
Whatever your preference, the perfect cuppa is easy to make. The simple principle of ‘one for the pot’ does not always apply, and each type of leaf needs to be brewed differently; if done accordingly, the perfect tea is ready within minutes. This is usually the case with premium tea leaves grown in carefully controlled estates.
To make this easier, premium tea leaves come in tea bags that have to be steeped in hot water. The leaves are prepared beforehand so that it can be enjoyed immediately.
THE MATCH MEANT TO BE
Your quintessential cuppa remains incomplete without the accompanying snacks. Since the beginning of tea time, it has become a tradition to serve a plate of snacks and the cup and sugar. In the world, tea is always associated with gossip and munching, so ‘to spill the tea’ is an idiom meaning to exchange gossip while partaking in evening delicacies.
The tea-time favorite differs everywhere. Of course, in Australia, nothing beats our meat pies, a versatile snack that can be filled with anything. But around the world, there are some innovative recipes.
People have their chai tea with a ‘samosa’ or a ‘vada pav’ in India. Samosas are triangle-shaped and filled with mashed potatoes, onions, and peas; vada pavs are a small slider like snack had with fried chilies.
In Britain, of course, the fan favorites are scones, crumpets, and puff pastries.
In Japan, the ‘Taiyaki’ is a very famous fish-shaped (filled) cake made of pancake-like dough. There is also a variety of filling options like custards, sweet beans, and matcha.
In the Netherlands, the Dutch favor the ‘stroopwafels,’ two crisp-thin waffles with a syrup filling. A sweet addition to their evening tea.
In Argentina, it is their famous ’empanadas’ that accompany their tea. Spicy meat pies the size of your palm, neatly baked in a crescent shape.
In any African Town, you’ll be sure to find ‘plantain chips’ served with a cup of boiling tea. Salted and savory, they perfectly enhance the taste of the tea.
Whatever be your preference, tea time is the perfect way to get together with people and have a good time. Next time, try one of these snacks with your cuppa to spice up or sweeten your evenings.
