What’s in your Cuppa?

 Exactly which beverage is on offer when someone suggests that you “have a cuppa”? Keep in mind that said beverage is one that is typically served in a cup, rather than any other type or shape of vessel from which one drinks. In any event, the reply depends somewhat on where you live. Below, we will explore everything there is to know about tea, as well as introduce you to Herbex’s fat burning tea.

A Cuppa Tea

 Tea, anyone? With so many teas available, what type of tea might this be? Does your cup contain lemon, black, white, or herbal tea blends – hibiscus, lavender, and other herbal teas, including camomile, rose hip, ginseng, cinnamon, green, black, or rooibos tea, or Herbex’s highly effective fat burning tea?

Thomas Twining is credited with the establishment of the first London tea shop in 1706, dedicated to the serving of tea. 81 years later, in 1787, Twinings’ logo was designed and adopted. The logo has been retained and is still in use today.

Traditionally, enjoying a cuppa is how people start the day, relax over a cuppa, take the weight off one’s feet, or put one’s feet up to take a break. Alternatively, use these opportunities to help your body burn off fat, simply by sipping one or two cups of Herbex’s fat burning tea per day, for a tea break with a purpose.

Teatime Rituals, Etiquette, and High Tea

 Not all the rules of etiquette that apply to more formal afternoon tea drinking are still in use, since modern lifestyles are much more relaxed and informal. Nonetheless, it’s good to know how things should be done, or not, UK style. Some of the rules the following:

• Use loose tea leaves for the best aromatic flavour, rather than tea bags.
• The host usually pours tea, but some believe that this task should be done by the person closest to the tea pot. Serve in porcelain cups.
• There are two schools of thought about whether to pour tea before adding milk or vice versa – the choice is yours.
• Formal afternoon tea is accompanied by scones, finger sandwiches, and/or cakes, but beware the kilojoules, weight, and extra fat that you’ll have to burn off later.
• Never dunk edible teatime fare, nor raise your pinkie – neither is posh or even acceptable.
• Traditionally, bite-sized pieces of scones should be broken off by hand, before spreading with cream and jam or butter plus jam.
• The napkin must be set neatly on the left side of the plate, likewise when teatime is over.
• Leave the saucer on the table; place your cup onto it between sips.
• Never slurp or blow on your tea to cool it down faster.
• Don’t clink your spoon against the sides of cups when stirring. Instead, place the teaspoon at the 6 or 12 o’clock position and dissolve the sugar with a folding motion in the opposite direction (6 or 12 o’clock).

Tea or Coffee Culture

Nowadays, though, the top hot beverage spot, traditionally occupied by tea, is being challenged by coffee, although tea drinking will undoubtedly always be a popular part and parcel of British and Irish culture and customs. South Africa and South Africans were heavily influenced by British customs, thus much of our heritage illustrates the significant role played by the British in this country.

Coffee

Trendy and cosy coffee shops are everywhere, including in South African cities, towns, suburbs, and rural dorpies (small villages). Nonetheless, most coffee shops in the UK and South Africa give customers the option of ordering a cuppa tea as an alternative. In the United States of America, the cuppa on offer probably contains coffee, unless otherwise specified.

Cuppa Joe

Americans have been great consumers of coffee for many, many years. There, the invitation to partake used to be “have a cuppa Joe” – Joe being the coffee. However, the origin of this particular man who lent his first name to coffee, the man known as “Joe”, remains uncertain.

It was once customary to take one’s cuppa Joe black, strong, and without sugar, but among modern, younger people, the “cuppa Joe” title is falling away, probably because of the coffee consuming public’s introduction to speciality coffees, styles, and flavoured blends like cappuccino, espresso, latte, mocha, skinny, and numerous others.

Fat Burning Tea from Herbex

 A multitude of teas are available for South Africans’ enjoyment, but have you tried Herbex’s fat burning teas, a blend of natural ingredients that are healthy, tasty, and full of benefits – helping you burn away pesky fat deposits, while you’re following a healthy eating plan. If you are on a mission to lose weight, why not add the fat burning teas from Herbex to your new lifestyle changes. You’re going to drink tea or coffee anyway. Make it a cuppa Herbex’s fat burning brew.