The Early Morning Cup of Tea.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XXXVII, Issue 22, 1 December 1906, Page 51

The Early Morning Cup of Tea.

This is an anxious question for those whwo love their early tea, but who don't want to injure themselves by taking it if they are convinced that it will do them harm. Well, let me first assure them of this comforting fact (says a writer in ’‘Home Chat”). That great authority on dietetics, the late Sir Henry Thompson, allowed the early cup of .tea under certain restrictions. If, therefore, it is taken with prudence, it won’t jo any harm, and often does a great deal of good, especially to those who suffer from morning he.ida che. By prudence, I mean, first of all, .the avoidance of taking it too strong. This is a very important point. To pour a solution of tannin (strong tea always contains a large proportion of tannin) into an empty stomach is a very mischievous thing, from a health point of view. The mucous coating is unprotected by the presence of any food, and is therefore more expose! to the hardening effect of the tannin than it would be during the progress of a meal. Secondly: A slice of bread and outter, or a couple of biscuits, should be taken with the tea. To take tea without some small quantity of food with it is very apt to injure the digestion. Thirdly: The early tea and bread and butter should be taken at least two hours before the regular breakfast hour, otherwise it will certainly do harm, because it -will take the edge off the appetite for breakfast; and this, by preventing the .taking of a proper amount of nourishment, may be productive of serious mischief to the health. It may, indeed, lead to anaemia, which is sometimes caused simply by want of a proper amount of nourishing food. If the ordinary breakfast hour is nine, the early cup of tea should be served at seven.