It's time for tea...

[gruntlabor]

The strange custom of pouring tea from the cup into the saucer (to cool it?) and drinking from the saucer.
My grandmother did that, also all the ladies at her table
Anybody remember that custom?

 

[Oldeagle66]

One of these days I want a 'proper tea' as the Brits say.

 

[Lilac]

@gruntlabor, I've heard about it but I haven't seen anyone doing that. I always remember Grandma drank tea. She stopped drinking coffee before I was born after she had goiter surgery.

 

[Fritz]

@gruntlabor, I've heard about it but I haven't seen anyone doing that. I always remember Grandma drank tea. She stopped drinking coffee before I was born after she had goiter surgery.

why did she stop drinking tea?

 

[RadishRose]

 

[Lilac]

They told her to stop drinking coffee & start tea because of her goiter problem. Not sure if the coffee really contributed to the problem or not or if they even knew it then or just thought it did.

 

[RadishRose]

 

[Aunt Bea]

Another long standing question is should the milk go into the cup before the tea is poured or after.

I was told that the custom of adding milk to the empty cup helped to prevent cracking inferior pottery cups in the days before central heating was common in homes. When high quality bone china was introduced the custom was no longer necessary and adding the milk after the tea signaled that the hostess had quality teacups for her guests.