What is the best tea cup to drink an Irish tea from
Mrs Doyle is always asked what is the best type of cup to drink her tea from and she always says a nice Belleek mug or if they are all taken then it's time to open the Galway crystal
So just what are the qualities of a great tea cup?
If you are a big tea drinker, it’s likely you have a favorite cup, and may be a few more for special teas.
What's the difference between a teacup and a tea mug
Tea mugs are big, bigger than 8oz and cups are small, as small as 10 ml. Mugs are great for sipping, especially herbal teas, while cups are better for proper tea parties. Mug will have a handle, and cups do not need to have one.
Not all tea cups will be good for all types of tea. When deciding on the cup think about the following:
1. Does the size match your tea, teapot or a strainer?
If you are making tea for two and have a smaller teapot, go for smaller cups. If you are using a strainer a bigger tea cup or a tea mug is best option.
2. Does it feel comfortable in the hand
The cup should always feel comfortable to handle, otherwise you might spill your tea.
3. Does the color match your tea?
Got to be just the right shade too or else it's just not perfect !
4. What is the cup made from?
Cups can be made of many materials–just like teapots. You can have ceramic, glass, metal, wooden or god forbid plastic cups. Ceramic cups can be porous , or non-porous like stoneware or porcelain. If you are using your cup for lots of types of tea, choose a non-porous material. Mrs Doyle always loves a nice cup of her Irish breakfast tea in a nice Irish made Belleek tea cup , it's nothing but the best for the best tea on the island ! check out our friends in belleek
5. Does the cup keep the heat?
If you want your tea to stay hot for longer, go for a taller more narrow cups, however sometimes smaller and flatter cups are a better like for green or white tea.
6. How will you use the cup?
If you heat the water for tea in a microwave Borosilicate glass and stoneware will generally be safe, but really heat this is not the best way to enjoy a nice cup , go on heat the water up gently in a kettle and pour into a nice tea pot or even a nice mug, you will love it , its all part of the tea ritual
Does tea taste different in different cups?
Tea does taste different in different cups. for example chai tea will taste much better in a small unglazed kulhar, Japanese sencha tastes better in a stoneware yunomi and our beloved Earl Grey is always always best in a beautiful porcelain Belleek cup.
anyway a great cup of tea needs a great tea so don't forget to find the tea bend you love and sit back and enjoy , and if you are in the UK 21 April is national tea day