Weird question about serving tea??!
Or does it even matter??? :P
Answers: OK this is a weird question BUT.... I don't have a tea kettle so I make tea by boiling water in a saucepan, then adding it to a mug with a tea bag in it. My question is... When I have *guests*, is it better to leave the bag in the saucepan once teh water has boiled and then serve the tea without a bag in the mug, OR to give it to them with the bag in the mug???
Or does it even matter??? :P
Well, my best friend who is also like a Mom to me serves tea all the time. She also happened to live in England for a long time when her husband was in the military.
She serves tea with the bag in the mug and lets the person decide if they wish to take it out or not because some like to dab the tea bag up and down in the cup sometimes to allow for the strength they like of their tea. Others simply will let it sit the entire time.
You can either put a plate, bowl or dish in the middle of the table so that they can put the tea bag on it when they are through, or simply a napkin next to the mug for them to place it on. My friends or family simply get up and throw theirs away when they are through.
Whatever you do don't leave a bag in the saucepan. You boil water in the saucepan and then pour the hot water into the cups and each cup gets a fresh tea bag. It is always nice to have a selection of teas for the guests to choose from. You can ask them which one they wish to have and put it in there for them or if your not sure how to do it go ahead and give it to them and have them do it on their own.
Have fun! I love tea parties! :)
depends on how high society your guests are.
You could serve the bag not in the water at all - "on the side" and then your dilema would be solved.Your guests could then determine their own strength of tea. (make sure they have a saucer or plate to put the used bag on.)
Just a thought
Otherwise leave the bag in the saucepan.
just give them the hot water in the mug then have then put the tea bags on their own so the can make it strong or light depending on their tastes
if you are using tea bags, just serve the tea bags unopened, on a plate so people can get their own.
give them the bag with the mug and a spoon and a napkin and slices of fresh lemon and cream and sugar and honey on the side if you are able to have them. Most tea drinkers like to decide how strong they want the tea. Most of us drink it with the above whenever possible. If you have them tea tastes much better out of a china cup than from a mug. I often have a friend in for tea. I offer several kinds of tea. Small finger sandwiches and tiny fancy deserts with it. It is one of my special things to do. i also read tea leaves.