To add Milk or not to add Milk?
One of the questions we are frequently asked at Monista Tea Co. is whether one should add milk to their tea.
Before we answer your question we thought we would share a little history regarding the relationship between milk & tea.
The origins of who first added milk to tea are unknown. Many cultures around the world have consumed a ‘milky’ style of tea for as long as tea has been enjoyed (for example Chai in India).
However adding a spot of milk to one’s tea is perhaps most strongly associated with the U.K. The British are thought to have originally added milk to their tea to stop boiled water from cracking their fragile china cups – the milk would cool the tea and stop the cup from splitting. An additional benefit was the belief that milk reduced the risk of the tannins in the black tea staining fine china, keeping their prized china cups a pristine white.
At Monista Tea Co. we do enjoy a dash of milk with our Amsterdam Breakfast Tea. This tea is a bold, malty single estate tea from Assam and lends itself to a splash of milk. Whereas our Very English Breakfast tea can be enjoyed equally with or without milk as it tends to have a more refreshing flavour profile. The most controversial tea regarding whether or not to add milk is French Earl Grey. French Early Grey is delightful with a slice of lemon, as it helps elevate the citrus notes, however some argue that they could never drink French Earl Grey without a dash of milk.
Ultimately the choice is yours to make. Tea should be enjoyed just the way you like it, after all its ‘your’ cup of tea.
To add Milk or not to add Milk?
One of the questions we are frequently asked at Monista Tea Co. is whether one should add milk to their tea.
Before we answer your question we thought we would share a little history regarding the relationship between milk & tea.
The origins of who first added milk to tea are unknown. Many cultures around the world have consumed a ‘milky’ style of tea for as long as tea has been enjoyed (for example Chai in India).
However adding a spot of milk to one’s tea is perhaps most strongly associated with the U.K. The British are thought to have originally added milk to their tea to stop boiled water from cracking their fragile china cups – the milk would cool the tea and stop the cup from splitting. An additional benefit was the belief that milk reduced the risk of the tannins in the black tea staining fine china, keeping their prized china cups a pristine white.
At Monista Tea Co. we do enjoy a dash of milk with our Amsterdam Breakfast Tea. This tea is a bold, malty single estate tea from Assam and lends itself to a splash of milk. Whereas our Very English Breakfast tea can be enjoyed equally with or without milk as it tends to have a more refreshing flavour profile. The most controversial tea regarding whether or not to add milk is French Earl Grey. French Early Grey is delightful with a slice of lemon, as it helps elevate the citrus notes, however some argue that they could never drink French Earl Grey without a dash of milk.
Ultimately the choice is yours to make. Tea should be enjoyed just the way you like it, after all its ‘your’ cup of tea.
