Guest Blog - Nick Stuart of Spud Of The Earth: Tea? Not for me...7 months ago
Tea? Not for me…
I’m not going to lie I don’t really care that much for tea.
Yep that’s right, the whole ritual of kettle on, bag in cup – BREW (I’m assured this part is important), then bag out and milk in, sugar or no sugar? Pfffft I’m not really that bothered.
But… while I do not drink tea myself, I have become a keen observer of the tea brigade who indulges in, better put - depends on, the comfort and warmth of this ancient delight.
Because of course ‘the ritual’ I refer to, is the best bit for you guys. The idiosyncratic, rhythmic dance around the kitchen, as you glide seamlessly from one stage to the next, with a lifetime’s nurtured understanding of what comes first and for exactly how long.
WARNING – offering help at any point after this process has started will only be met with a twitchy glare, I’ve learned this.
Ironically, this ‘ritual’ is something that I perform frequently and for good reason.
Prior to flying the nest, as a wee sprog, I was sharp enough to identify that a fast track to my mum’s good books was with a cup of tea. Since I have moved out this tactic also seems to be working a treat with my girlfriend. ‘A cuppa’ after dinner and a bite of chocolate will generally afford me the benefit of some severely shady doubt!
Somewhat inconclusively then, I can confirm that there is a mysterious allure to the humble mug of tea. Oh god, did I mention mugs?
Mugs. Right. Well I foolishly assumed that the common practicality of a china piece that can successfully hold hot water renders them all equal – how wrong could I be? Apparently they are not all the same. The depth, breadth in fact every bleedin’ facet seems to have its own individual appeal. Making these cups of tea as I do, I often stare wistfully at the kitchen wall in front of me wondering why I am washing up my girlfriend’s ‘favourite mug’ when in the cupboard behind me there are about 12 perfectly decent other suitors ready and waiting.
But what do I know? I like orange squash.
Nick Stuart - Spud of The Earth
http://www.spudoftheearth.com/
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