INTEREST IN TEA

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26540, 15 August 1947, Page 2

INTEREST IN TEA

LOOKING TO THE FUTURE ONLY ONE CORRECT METHOD OF BREWING The resolve to economise is a common reaction to announcements of rising prices, but experience seems to prove that, like New Year resolutions, most of these decisions have a limited period of application so long as the public has the means to buy .what it wants British people, for instance, who made a noble attempt at selfdenial when tobacco prices became subject to a sudden and substantial rise, are reported now to have returned to a normal demand for their “ smokes,” considering even such high costs preferable to deprivation. Little Hope of Economy The announcement that the housewife in New Zealand is to lose the benefit of a number of subsidies has not unnaturally turned her thoughts to the possibilities of reducing the demands on her purse. She has even reached a stage of examining her conscience and asking herself whether she is not, perhaps, being wasteful. The only indication Mr Nash has given ner oi a probable future price ' is his statement that tea may cost her 6s 2d per lb. The topic is one that arouses considerable public interest, for New Zealanders pride themselves on the belief that they are the world’s greatest tea drinkers, though, in actual fact, British people can probably show a greater consumption. Experience suggests that a habit so deeply ingrained as that of tea drinking is not likely to be much reduced, even on the withdrawal of Government assistance. The overseas alternatives have no great appeal in this country, and, in any case, as one man in the trade said yesterday, even at 10s per lb, tea would still be the world’s cheapest drink—barring water. As family demands are not likely to decrease, the only alternative the housewife may look to is the possibility of preparing her tea in a way that will make it go further. Here again, however, it appears to be impossible to offer much hope. There is only one correct way, the experts say. to prepare a pot of tea. “There is nothing in it,” was the reply of one of these when he was asked to comment on one unusual method which was suggested to him. He was emphatic that it was a useless waste of time even to discuss unorthodox schemes for preparing the brew because, he said, using, them “ you just don’t get a good cup of tea.” The essential requirements for brewing tea are few in number. The first is that fresh water should be used. It was indicated by the experts that the air haturally present in water is an essential agent, and it was pointed out that the virtual impossibility of obtaining a good cup of tea on board ship is due to the absence of air content in the water. Another requirement is that the pot should be hot. A Simultaneous Operation The dexterity of the housewife should be equal to the next essential. It is that tea and boiling water should be put into the pot almost simultaneously, though, of course, the tea must go in first. The tea, it was stated, should be measured out in readiness, and it would lose its qualities if it were allowed to stand in the pot for any lenghty period before the addition of water. One tip which is regarded as most important is that the water should be put in the pot on the instant at which it boils. If these directions are followed and the pot, after a couple of stirs with a spoon, is allowed to stand for five minutes, the result should be the perfect cup of tea. There is, the experts both repeat and emphasise, nc other better or more economical way. One tea merchant who was consulted yesterday offered a suggestion that may appeal to the housewife bent on economy, though it would make some demands on her persuasive powers. Sugar, he pointed out, would also- go up in price, and tea without sugar was a very good drink. If those members of the household with a taste for sweet tea could be persuaded to drink it without sugar, an important step would have been taken towards offsetting increased costs.