#6 #HappyNationalTeaDay
Hi there!
Today, 21st April, is the National Tea Day in the UK! You all know how obsessed Britons are about tea. They drink in the morning, during break time at work, if they visit friends or family, after dinner. It doesn't matter! Anytime is a good time for tea! It relaxes you, or it activates you. You decide!
On the 21st, tea parties are held all over Britain, in pubs, cafés, hotels to celebrate! This year, obviously, it's going to be a little bit different, the biggest tea party will be hosted online! Look!
Today, I'm going to share everything related to tea, we will not hold our own tea party in class this year, I'm afraid, but at least we can learn a bit.
First things first, how did tea arrive in England? You'll be surprised!
Now, it's time to learn the vocabulary of tea before we watch more videos. Well, I'm sure you know how to say 'taza'. Yes, cup or mug. In fact, you have probably seen this word refering to tea: 'cuppa'. What's cuppa? It's the abbreviation for 'cup of (tea)'.
('Do you fancy a cup of tea?'=Would you like a cup of tea?)
So, apart from the cup of tea, you need to know the following words:
Bear in mind that a 'saucer' is 'el plato pequeño para la taza' and it's essential for British tea drinkers, you'll discover why in a second! Well, to this picture, I would add sandwiches, because a proper tea would be drunk either with a scone (d-e-l-i-c-i-o-u-s) and tea sandwiches.
Real tea leaves of black tea taste better, but British people would always have some tea bags ready to use. You can buy normal boxes of tea bags (for example, Twinings, Pg Tips, Tetley) or even extra big ones! Such as this 240 tea bags box! Crazy! But, you know, the British drink a lot of tea!
In addition, there is something called: Tea Etiquette. And there are people in the UK who are experts! They know how to prepare your tea, how to pour your milk, how to stir your milk with your tea and sugar, how to hold the cup and saucer, and how to eat the sandwiches and the scones. Are you curious? Look!
This a Jane Maylon, from a tea company. She speaks clearly and slowly. Don't worry about everything she says. Stick to the important information only and the images! ;)
And this is William Hanson, he's an etiquette coach and expert in the UK. And, yes he's very posh!! Very British! Look at the way he speaks! Again, don't worry too much about all the information, stick to the important!
As you can see, tea is essential and George Orwell, who was a British writer a century ago, wrote a short essay on how to make 'A Nice Cup of Tea' (high level text**) In fact, they sell mugs with Orwell's rules! Here!
Talking about mugs, these are the typical British cups! They're L-O-V-E-L-Y, aren't they?
You'll find these flowery cups in tearooms or tea shops. There are gorgeous tea rooms in Britain, like the classical (expensive!) ones:
(this is London's Ritz Tea Room!)
...or the traditional ones in small towns:
(this one in Rye, beautiful town next to the sea in the south of England)
(or this one in Solva, next to the sea too, in west Walles)
...or this quite modern ones, which still retain the classical look:
(this one is in Faversham, in Kent, in the southeast of England)
And, yes, ladies, we can go a proper tea room in Madrid, too! Next time we're allowed to go to Madrid, go to Living in London, this amazing British shop and Tea Room in the capital. It's located in Barrio Salamanca (here) and, GOOD NEWS, you can buy the lovely cups and other products! (Well and many other things, have a look at their webpage, it's simply wonderful). And, last, but not least, you can enjoy their tea!! You can eat real scones, with real clotted cream and jam! I highly recommend it to you! (In fact, we should organise an annual trip to the tea room in the CEPA!! I take note for next year!)
(this is Living in London, in Madrid)
(this is London's Ritz Tea Room!)
...or the traditional ones in small towns:
(this one in Rye, beautiful town next to the sea in the south of England)
(or this one in Solva, next to the sea too, in west Walles)
...or this quite modern ones, which still retain the classical look:
(this one is in Faversham, in Kent, in the southeast of England)
And, yes, ladies, we can go a proper tea room in Madrid, too! Next time we're allowed to go to Madrid, go to Living in London, this amazing British shop and Tea Room in the capital. It's located in Barrio Salamanca (here) and, GOOD NEWS, you can buy the lovely cups and other products! (Well and many other things, have a look at their webpage, it's simply wonderful). And, last, but not least, you can enjoy their tea!! You can eat real scones, with real clotted cream and jam! I highly recommend it to you! (In fact, we should organise an annual trip to the tea room in the CEPA!! I take note for next year!)
(this is Living in London, in Madrid)
Finally, I'd like to finish with some more language learning today! There is an expression that you can include in your vocabulary:
So, I hope that tea is now 'your cup of tea'! ;)
And, if you have a cuppa today, enjoy!
PD: if people in the videos speak fast for you, you can level down the speed to 0.75 in 'velocidad de reproducción' ;)
