In the UK, drinking tea is a huge part of daily life and is often called a “cuppa” or a “brew.” Most people love strong black tea with a splash of milk, usually paired with a biscuit for dunking. Whether someone is happy, sad, or just needs a break, the first thing they do is “put the kettle on.” It’s more than just a drink; it’s a friendly way for people to sit down and have a chat!
How to Make a Proper British “Cuppa”
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Boil the Kettle: Fill your kettle with fresh water and wait for it to click off—you need the water to be bubbling hot to get the best flavor!
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The Tea Bag: Place one tea bag (like English Breakfast) into your favorite mug and pour the hot water over it.
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The Wait: Let it sit for about 3 to 5 minutes; if you take it out too soon, it will just taste like hot water, but if you wait, it becomes nice and strong.
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The Finish: Squeeze and remove the tea bag, add a splash of milk (and maybe a spoonful of sugar), and give it a good stir until it’s a perfect tan color.
In the UK, people almost always have a small snack with their tea. Here are the most traditional foods that people of all ages enjoy with a hot “cuppa”:
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Sweet Biscuits: These are the most popular choice for a quick break. Most people love to “dunk” their biscuit into the tea for a few seconds to make it warm and soft before taking a bite.
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Scones: These are thick, round cakes. You cut them in half and spread thick cream and fruit jam on top. They are very famous for a traditional “Afternoon Tea.”
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Toasted Crumpets: These are warm, spongy breads with lots of tiny holes on top. People toast them until they are crunchy and spread plenty of butter over them so it melts into the holes.
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Small Sandwiches: These are often served at parties or tea rooms. They are usually very thin with the crusts cut off, filled with simple things like cucumber, egg, or ham.
Watch a video about How tea time came to England
Drinking tea is so popular in The UK that the British celebrate a National Tea Day on April 21st.
Do the preparation task first. Then read the article and do the exercises.
