Become Part Of The Afternoon Tea Set
Michalis 'BIG Mike' Kotzakolios


Defined Tag: Tea Set.

The first time you ever saw a tea set was likely at a young age. I think we can all remember drinking out of a small plastic China cups at a plastic table with other children. Today, you are probably drinking tea out o f a mug and you are using a bag filled with shredded leaves.

The history of tea drinking dates back to 2750 B.C when, according to legend, the Chinese Emperor Shen Nung discovered tea by accident when some tea leaves from a bush fell into some water that he was boiling for drinking.

The first tea imports to Europe arrived in the early years of the seventeenth century, but it wasn’t until the middle of the century that tea reached Britain. At that time it took between 12 and 16 months for cargoes of tea to reach Britain from China, and it was so expensive that only members of royalty or the aristocracy could afford to drink it.

Companies such as Wedgwood, Spode, and Royal Doulton produced some of the finest teaware in the world (and they still do), and these illustrious manufacturers are all situated in Stoke-on-Trent. Stoke-on-Trent is a unique British City made up of six separate towns, affectionately known as THE POTTERIES.

Now, if you want to create the perfect cup of tea, you will have to use some fresh, soft spring water. You will then want to empty some of that water into your teapot; and then swirl the water around. You will then want to boil it and add the leaves. Swirl several times and allow it to continue to brew for as long as five minutes, but no less than three.

When you are done, set the table, pour a glass; and enjoy.