6 Tips To Making Good Tea in 1941
While browsing YouTube for an informative video on tea, I came across this vintage instructional piece from BFI National Archives in London. This historic gem shares the 6 golden tips to making a good cup.
1. Always use a good quality tea
2. Always use freshly drawn water
3. Remember to warm the teapot or urn
4. Measure the right quantity of tea for water in the pot
5. The water must reach the boiling point
6. Let the tea brew for 5-10 minutes before serving
Although I value the wisdom of those that came before me, I would have to disagree with tips #5 and #6, as the water temperature and brewing time vary according to the specific tea. However, they were most likely referring to traditional British black teas that do require a lengthier brewing time and boiling water. Beyond the tips, I was fascinated to see how tea played its part during war times with the use of the Multipot.
During the last moments of the video, one of the women utters the fabulous phrase: “Don’t spoil good tea by bad preparation. Let every cup you make be a cup that cheers.” These simple words brought a smile to my face, as they highlighted that we carefully prepare our tea so that when it comes time to take the first sip, we can raise our glasses high and anticipate the most perfect cup, “a cup that cheers.”
It’s nice to have this video, that it’s not a lost bit of history. That was “The Good War” and not anything like what followed for the rest of the 20th Century. But the good news is tea has improved in quality in the last decade or two.