(25-02-2011 12:07 PM)langley Wrote:  I AM intrigued by this English sweet tea, though. If I ordered it in a restaurant in London would they know what I was talking about?
Also, I never heard that coffee is favored in situations requiring focus. I will have to try that at work. And tea is favored for socializing. Hmmm, we should all get together in London for a Spooks Tea!

You wouldn't order sweet tea, you would ask for a pot of tea, which would come with a little jug of milk and either a sugar bowl if it's a posh shop, or a couple of sachets of sugar if it's not. 'Sweet tea' is something that you would drink after a shock, like after Ruth sees that guy jump in front of the tube train. I think the sugar is to help you raise your blood sugar level so that you can recover. Personally, tea on its own is enough to revive me, especially after a day at work. Never needed to test out 'sweet tea' in a crisis, I think I would reach for the brandy first!

Well, now I need to go and make myself a cuppa!

(21-02-2011 07:19 PM)Naivety Wrote:  Well I live in Devon, and like you Yorkshire Tyke we are tripping over tea rooms. Most of them are hideous with ye olde tables and chairs and the obligatory horse brasses. You have to go to Exeter to find a good coffee shop.

I have to agree with you. I live in Devon too and now that i think about it this is about right. (I visit Exeter quite frequently so it hadn't really occured to me!) However most of these 'tea rooms' do serve coffee.

Not much of a coffee fan myself though so it suits me to a tee living here.

Yes, Sweet Tea is the non-alcoholic equivilent to brandy or whisky after a big shock. You used to get it in the recovery area on the blood donor bus.

It always makes me chuckle in all the fanfics when Sweet Tea is mentioned, as if Ruth is addicted to it!

I've just seen this thread and find it hilarious (and wonderful) that four pages have been devoted to the subject of tea - sweet or otherwise. I too have found the force-feeding of "sweet tea" to poor old Ruth in all the fanfics quite funny. Ruth has never actually expressed a preference for it at all, and as some others have said, it was just Harry's idea of treatment for shock. Mind you, I've come to the conclusion that most fanfics are written by Americans, judging by some of the phrases (which would never be uttered by either Ruth or Harry) and by the spelling of whisky (yes, I'm still on that one!!). I am personally of the opinion that Ruth would wince away from sugar in her tea. I'm sure she didn't add any once Harry had left!

(27-02-2011 04:49 PM)DogSoSmall Wrote:  I've just seen this thread and find it hilarious (and wonderful) that four pages have been devoted to the subject of tea - sweet or otherwise. I too have found the force-feeding of "sweet tea" to poor old Ruth in all the fanfics quite funny. Ruth has never actually expressed a preference for it at all, and as some others have said, it was just Harry's idea of treatment for shock. Mind you, I've come to the conclusion that most fanfics are written by Americans, judging by some of the phrases (which would never be uttered by either Ruth or Harry) and by the spelling of whisky (yes, I'm still on that one!!). I am personally of the opinion that Ruth would wince away from sugar in her tea. I'm sure she didn't add any once Harry had left!

I think Harry was just trying his best to be sweet (pardon the pun.) I would have imagined Ruth to be more of a peppermint tea girl or a ginger and lemon one. Fanfic-ers do seem to be obsessed with shoving sweet tea down her throat and getting her pregnant at the moment.

I am currently having a love affair with Redbush tea.

Still on the subject of tea, though not sweet, but another English tradition: Earl Grey.

Danny Hunter: Earl Grey tea bags.
Zoe Reynolds: What?
Danny Hunter: You didn't get any.
Zoe Reynolds: Why would I get you Earl Grey tea bags?
Danny Hunter: I like them.
Zoe Reynolds: Look, we have a flat share, okay? We are not married!
Danny Hunter: Is Earl Grey tea bags married?
Zoe Reynolds: Oh, yes!

Love it

Though I do think that "Earl Grey" and "tea bags" is sacrilegious! Earl Grey should only ever be loose leaf and made in a teapot - it's all in the ceremony.

*she says, surreptitiously pushing those very objects to the back of the cupboard*

(02-03-2011 08:00 AM)Nixie Wrote:  Still on the subject of tea, though not sweet, but another English tradition: Earl Grey.

Lady Grey is nicer - more zingy

With risk of appearing completely ignorant.....I have never heard of Lady Grey tea!!
I've tried a few herbal teas such as camomile and honey, but end up having to sweeten it which I think is the wrong thing to do.

I have yet to try Lady Grey but i've been meaning to for a while. I keep seeing it at work and thinking about it...

I have tea the 'wrong' way quite frequently. I like peppermint tea with milk in it. Whatever suits the individual I suppose.