Invitation for a cup of tea

Legends about the origin of tea drinking are as varied as the varieties of tea. However, the most famous and most plausible is the Chinese legend. In 2737 BC.E., when Emperor Chen Nong boiled water under the tree of Chinese camellia, several leaves fell into a vat of boiling water. After trying, the emperor discovered that it turned out to be a pleasant drink.

In Russia, tea appeared only in the XVII century and quickly became the most Russian drink, which can not be displaced either by coffee or other drinks.

For tea, any time of the day is suitable, tea can be served for breakfast, afternoon tea or dinner. In summer, you can serve tea with ice cream, in the winter - prepare a tea punch. You can drink tea in pure form, with milk or cream, with lemon or with a piece of fragrant antonovka. In winter, you can offer rum or cognac for tea.

For tea, serve jam, sweets, sweets, cookies, pastries.

For evening tea, sometimes replacing dinner, the table is covered with a colored tablecloth. Samovar or kettle with boiling water put on a small table, close to the edge of the table, which sits mistress, spilling tea. At the same edge have tea utensils: cups, glasses, teaspoons.

In the center of the table put vases with jam and sweets, near the vases - covered with napkins of biscuits with cookies, near them - plates with thinly sliced ​​lemon, decanters with fruit and berry juices, cognac, cream or milk, sugar and rosettes for jam. To such a table it is good to serve dessert wine.

If tea replaces a light supper, it is necessary to place on the table oils with butter, plates with ham, cheese, cold veal and other products suitable for making sandwiches.

Decanters with fruit and berry juices, wine or cognac are placed evenly throughout the table.

A dessert plate is put for each member of the family or guest, and a tea napkin is placed on it. To the left of the plate should put a dessert fork, and on the right - a dessert knife.

During tea drinking it is not customary to make toasts. Although it is with a cup of good tea that it is most appropriate to say: "Let's drink to health!"