Page 61 - @ccess 2 Reader´s Book

despised (adj.):
• First of all, one should use Indian or despreciado,
Ceylonese tea. whitewash (n.):
cal
• Chinese tea has virtues, which are china (n.):
porcelana,
not to be despised nowadays — it is cerámica,
economical, and one can drink it without beforehand
(adv.): antemano,
milk — but there is not much stimulation heaped (adj.):
rebasada
in it. One does not feel wiser, braver or
more optimistic after drinking it. Anyone who has used
that comforting phrase 'a nice cup of tea' invariably means
Indian tea.
• Secondly, tea should be made in small quantities — that
is, in a teapot. Tea out of an urn is always tasteless,
while army tea, made in a cauldron, tastes of grease
and whitewash. The teapot should be made of china or
earthenware. Silver or Britanniaware teapots produce
inferior tea and enamel pots are worse; though curiously
enough, a pewter teapot (a rarity nowadays) is not so bad.
• Thirdly, the pot should be warmed beforehand. This is
better done by placing it on the hob than by the usual
method of swilling it out with hot water.
• Fourthly, the tea should be strong. For strainer (n.):
colador
a pot holding a quart, if you are going infuse (v.): hacer
to fill it nearly to the brim, six heaped una infusión
teaspoons would be about right. In a time of rationing,
this is not an idea that can be realized on every day of the
week, but I maintain that one strong cup of tea is better
than twenty weak ones. All true tea lovers not only like
their tea strong, but like it a little stronger with each year
that passes — a fact which is recognized in the extra ration
issued to old-age pensioners.
• Fifthly, the tea should be put straight into the pot. No
strainers, muslin bags or other devices to imprison the tea.
In some countries teapots are fitted with little dangling
baskets under the spout to catch the stray leaves, which
are supposed to be harmful. Actually, one can swallow tea
leaves in considerable quantities without ill effect, and if
the tea is not loose in the pot it, never infuses properly.

60 Reader's Book