Tea set

I’m looking at my tea set now trying to get ideas for this blog. As it consists of a Birmingham City mug and a small flowery plate ready for a honey sandwich then this is not going to get me very far.

my tea set 

So what is a tea set:

Teapot – The main vessel for brewing and serving tea.
Teacups – Small cups designed for sipping tea, usually match the teapot in the set.
Saucers – Small plates placed beneath teacups to catch any drips and often used for placing small snacks.
Tea Tray – A tray used to collect excess water and spills, especially in traditional Chinese tea ceremonies.
Tea Strainer – A tool to filter tea leaves or herbs while pouring tea into cups.
Tea Infuser – A small device for holding loose tea leaves during steeping.
Creamer - A small pitcher for serving milk or cream with tea.
Sugar Bowl – A container for holding sugar cubes or loose sugar for sweetening tea.
Tea Caddy – A container for storing and preserving loose tea leaves.
Tea Spoon – A small spoon for stirring tea or adding sugar.
Tea Cosy – A fabric cover placed over the teapot to keep the tea warm.
Trivet – A heat-resistant pad or stand to protect surfaces from the hot teapot.
Lid Rest – A small tray or holder to place the teapot lid while serving.
Tongs – Utensil for handling sugar cubes or tea leaves.
Tea Towel – A cloth used for drying teacups or wiping spills.

That is according to Alix Attaway, writing in British Market (and other sources are very similar) who goes on to say that to create a more comprehensive tea service, consider investing in extra serving pieces like a sandwich plate or a cake stand. I came across one suggestion of having a tea timer as well.

a fancy tea

Choosing a tea set that complements the kind of tea you will be serving is also crucial. Say, for example, you might choose a tea set with a more robust design, like a stoneware set with a striking colour or pattern, if you like strong, powerful teas, or you could select a tea set with a more delicate design, such a fine China set with a floral pattern if you are serving delicate, floral teas.

Let’s just go back to that list of what makes a tea set. The first thing that leaps out at me is the requirement for Small cups designed for sipping tea. Oh no no no. When I want a cup of tea I want something that eases my thirst and lasts more than a microsecond.
I don’t need a saucer, I have table mats for that as I have that mug.
I do have a tea tray but it’s only for taking tea from the kitchen to the front room.
I did go through a phase of teapots, strainers and infusers and the joy of a tea cosy (I still have three of them) but all that fuss. It’s Yorkshire Gold teabags now and milk straight from the bottle and sugar from the packet.
I’d never heard of a trivet before and why would I when I have mats with images of trains or a nice garden.
I have no idea why or what a Lid Rest is used for.

trivet

I know this is a slight diversion but when I was looking for info on this subject I came across some fascinating facts regarding the etiquette of having tea with a tea set as above. For instance, under no circumstances must you stir tea in a circular motion. The correct way to stir is to place the spoon at a 12 o’clock position in the cup and softly fold the liquid back and forth 2-3 times to the 6 o’clock position, and never ever leave the tea spoon in the cup. When your tea spoon isn’t being used, pop it back on the saucer, to the right of the cup.

There are poems about tea sets but I can’t find a satisfactory one so here’s this effort done in a rush this afternoon in a rather nice café in Lancaster.

Game, Set and Match

It didn’t start well
I’d poured milk in first
used a tea spoon
for the sugar
used the wrong knife
buttering a scone
and rhymed it with gone
I’d finished a cup
and reached for the pot
mentioned tea bags
and of course Yorkshire Gold
she pointed out that
I’d stirred the tea in circles
and to be fair she was smiling
we both knew that
we weren’t a match
but it was fun while it lasted.

Thanks for reading, Terry Q.