If you really like tea, Ireland is the right place to come, although Ireland is famous for beer and whiskey.

A nice steaming cup of tea, to better say a “cuppa”, is always ready in Irish households and you are always offered one if you call in, never matter when.

Hairdressers also offer cups of tea between a hairdo and another!

Yes, the Irish drink tea at breakfast, lunch, tea time or every time they take a break in the morning or afternoon.

Statistically speaking, Irish people are the second biggest consumer of tea per person drinking from four to six cups per day.

In Irish culture tea is very important; it isn’t just a beverage, but also a social ritual and a sort of “little push-up” to cheer somebody up. There is always a cup of tea ready to celebrate an engagement, wedding, graduation or to remember the loved ones gone.

Tea is usually taken with sugar and a generous amount of milk.

Irish people are potty about very strong black tea, “strong enough to trot a mouse on it” and love blends with strong and spicy flavours.

Irish tea is usually a blend of several black teas from Assam and Kenya, and this blend is what gives Irish Breakfast tea its unique flavour and colour.

But how to brew the perfect Irish Cuppa?

It isn’t easy peasy as you might think!

First, you must warm the teapot by pouring some hot water and swirling it around. When the teapot is sufficiently warm, you can

discard the hot water, place the tea leaves into the teapot and pour hot water that has just barely come to a boil.

Don’t use boiling water or your tea will be tasteless: that was my mistake!

Then let the tea steep for 3 to 5 minutes, and it is ready.

And here comes the tricky question! What to pour first in your cup, milk or tea?

Well, like most Europeans, I used to pour my tea first and then add milk and sugar, stir and drink. Was it right?

My neighbour was shocked! “Never do it again!” she said.

I discovered that first, you have to fill your teacup with the desired amount of milk and then pour your tea, stir it well, and sweeten it to taste.

She was right; the milk keeps its sweetness and blends perfectly with the strong black tea.

So I improved a lot in brewing my tea or to say better I learned how to brew it properly!