Chickens Want Food And I Want Real Tea

Light Brahma and Buff Orpington.

After I let the hens out of the coop, they race over to the shed to beg for a handout of scratch.

Then they head for the porch where they line up in front of the slider.

Once there they stare inside in hope someone will toss out a treat for them to scarf down.

Some of the bolder hens will tap on the glass. On cold days they stand next to the slider closest to the wood stove. The slider is double pane, but there must be heat transferred through the glass that the chickens appreciate.

The photo shows the Light Brahma's neck feathers are still growing out. The Buff looks pretty good. In fact they are all looking much better than they did. I hope they are warmer because it is getting colder.

Winter begins December 22, but it already feels like winter. The wood stove is burning 24/7 to keep the house warm and I have my little heater switched on all the time to fight off the damp.

Tonight I made some Golden Tip Assam tea (it tastes great with milk, some teas don't) and got into a discussion with Kristine about why some people say to add milk to the cup before the tea and some say adding it after is correct.

My thoughts on the matter were that, in the days before dishwasher and microwave proof china, people added the milk first to regulate the temperature and keep the cups from cracking.

Kristine said that this meant that at some point in time, the rich didn't have enough money to buy china that didn't crack under stress.

I love her reasoning process. Makes sense. Most people can only absorb so much cracked china before the cost and the annoyance adds up to change... a new tea rule?... milk first or you are not posh?
Sneaky way to save their china.

I don't remember being told to add milk first, but I do remember being told by Tom's grandmother to always put a spoon in the cup before pouring in the tea, because having the spoon in the cup would keep it from cracking.

Two pots of loose tea under tea cozies.

I suppose the spoon would serve the same function as the milk by regulating the heat of the tea and saving the cup.

Here is how I make my tea... the heart cozy is covering Kristine's Winter Solstice tea.

My flying hen cozy is keeping my Assam tea warm.


How to make loose tea in a tea pot:
http://www.teaandcoffeemuseum.co.uk/tea/make_tea.htm
I only use a tea bag if I run out of loose tea... I keep some around for emergencies. I think I really can taste the bag and for sure the taste of the tea bag tea is terrible compared to a real pot of tea brewed correctly.

History of tea?
http://www.teaandcoffeemuseum.co.uk/tea/index.htm
There's a wealth of tea information on the internet... I'm captivated...

When I'm writing a post, I find, like tonight that I start writing about something and then begin making searches and become absorbed in the subject.

News article about tea in Britain:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/lifeandstyle/2003/mar/26/foodanddrink.shopping1
Who knew that 90% of people in Britain make tea using a tea bag. Ugh! My image of the British afternoon tea has been squashed.

I always envied the Brits their civilized tea breaks and wished that we had such a force for good in this country. I think I had an idealized view of the custom and thought that both countries would benefit from people taking the time to be together in such a relaxed and sharing way.

Tea bags have their place, but I think that we would all benefit from at least the occasional brewed loose tea and afternoon tea with those we love. I think it comes down to the time we give to each other... a most precious gift.

Besides the loose tea tastes so very much superior.