Why do we use cup and saucers to serve tea?

Tea is served in a cup and saucer set in modern western world. The cup and saucer unit is stylish but also functional. Here are a few pointers about why we use a cup and saucer to serve tea.

~ The saucer provided a place to rest the spoon after use.
~ A spoon is used to swish tea back and forth being careful not to touch the sides of the cup. Do not make clinking sounds.
~ Never leave the spoon in the tea take it out and rest it on the saucer.
~ Place the spoon on the saucer, behind the cup, on the right hand side under the handle of the cup.
~ Do not sip tea from the spoon.

Enjoy a cup of tea in a cup and saucer. Share a cup of tea with a friend and remember the proper way to serve tea is with a cup and saucer. I personally love our Magnolia cup and saucer and have used them for years. Look around our site we have many styles and patterns.

Have fun reading and shopping at www.giftsetc.com
Sincerely,
Marilynn

How to Hold a Cup and Saucer?

Since January is National Hot Tea Month I thought it would be fun to write about the correct way to hold a cup and saucer. There is a proper way to hold a cup and saucer. Here are a few tips to assist you when being served hot tea in holding the cup and saucer correctly.

How to Hold A Cup and Saucer?
~ Pick up the cup and saucer together.
~ You should hold the saucer in one hand and the cup in the other.
~ The best way to hold to cup is to slip your index finger through the handle, up to almost the first knuckle, then balance and secure the cup by placing your thumb on the top of the handle and allowing the bottom of the handle to rest on your middle finger.
~ The ring finger and pinkie finger should rest by curving back to the wrist.
~ Your should NOT extend your pinkie finger in direct contrast to popular opinion.

It is a lot of fun to teach children the correct way to hold cup and saucers. You can simple brew a pot of tea and enjoy serving them and showing them the proper technique needed for drinking tea. I did this many years ago with my God children. I gave them a special cup and saucer for the "event" which they still use and cherish to this day. Our monogrammed cup and saucers are perfect for this type of activity with children. Trends come and go in life; good manners last a life time and that is the main purpose of teaching children how to use a cup and saucer.

Check out our cup and saucers. Looking for a different design please call or email and we will be happy to try and assist you.

Happy Reading and Shopping at www.giftsetc.com
Sincerely,
Marilynn

National Hot Tea Month

January is National Hot Tea Month. January is the perfect month with our winter temperatures to enjoy a cup of hot tea. Tea is one of the most popular drinks in the world. In honor of National Hot Tea Month I want to sure a little info about tea with you.

Great discoveries are often by accident. Legend has it, in 2727 BC the Chinese Emperor Citric Nung, who was a skilled ruler, creative scientist and patron of the arts discovered tea by accident. While a servant was boiling water for hygienic reasons leaves from a tree dropped into a cup of boiling water. The water turned brown, Shen Nung was curious and drank it. He found this new drink refreshing and aromatic. Tea has been an important part of many cultures for approximately 5000 years.

Tea and wine share a common fact in that both come from a single plant. All tea comes from one plant, Cameillia sinesis, which is a warm weather evergreen. The evergreen can grow up to 60 feet in the wild, but when cultivated for harvest it is keep about three feet in height. More than 3000 varieties of tea have been documented. Just like wine different climate, soil conditions and the processing techniques determine the flavor of tea.

I for one am very happy tea was discovered. I enjoy hot tea and more importantly love teapots. I have collecting teapots since childhood. Often when traveling I will search for a teapot to be my souvenir from a trip. Teapots can be both functional and decorative in nature. www.giftsetc.com offers a nice collection of teapots. Some of which I have in my home and use. The teapots on our site are dishwasher and microwave safe perfect for our busy lifestyles.

Happy New Year! - Enjoy a good cup of tea and look for additional info on tea during the month of January at www.giftsetc.com

Happy Reading and Shopping at www.giftsetc.com
Sincerely,
Marilynn
www.giftsetc.com