READIN G There is a saying that the British like a nice cup of tea in the and a nice cup of tea at night. And at half past seve, heaven is a nice cup of tea. They like a nice cup of tea with th and a nice cup of tea with their tea, and before th go lot to be said for a nice cup of tea Sometimes it seems that no one likes tea quite as much as British do. But, in fact, tea is popular in countries around the w and many different rituals and customs for drinking tea h developed over the centuries. In China and Japan tea was first a medicine it wasn't until many years later that people there dr Because tea had been considered a sacred rem as a beverage. was always served with much ceremony when the Chinese first started drinking tea, they didn,, Instead, they put tea leaves and hot water into a small bowl with cover Drinkers would bring the bowl to their lips and lift the Cove slightly with their forefingers, just enough to drink the liquid but the leaves. People drank tea in this way regardless of the occasion it was always offered to guests Tea drinking was an important part of Chinese life, but nowhe the world did people drink tea with more ceremony than in Japan There, a strict ritual was set down in the fifteenth century by th great tea master, Shuko. This tea ceremony is still performed today Guests must wash their hands and faces and remove their shoes bei entering the tearoom through a low doorway that forces them to and appear humble. As the guests kneel or sit cross-legged on mak host places a spoonful of powdered tea into a special bowl, adds water, and then stirs it with a bamboo whisk. Although in early ceremonies everyone drank from the same bowl, it later became te practice for the host to serve the tea in individual bowls. The guests the tea slowly and talk until they have finished drinking. Then they expected to throw back their heads and take the final sip with a sound to show how good the tea is. As the ceremony comes to an en he guests admire the empty serving bowl for its beauty.washes the cups, and the ceremony ends. The formal tea ceremony is certainly not undertaken every time someone drinks tea in Tapan, but the tea is always served with much care and politeness The British also like to be formal and dignified when they serve tea. while the Japanese serve green tea in small cups without the British favor the black teas of India and Ceylon served in china aps handles, with handles and matching saucers. In Britain, tea is made in a pot, using one teaspoonful of tea leaves for each cup plus one extra teaspoonful for the pot. Boiling water is poured into the pot, and the tea ls left for about five minutes before the host pours for the guests. As in an, tea drinking is an important part of daily life in England. Many people drink tea several times a day, and they associate it with relaxation and an opportunity f entertainment. Sharing a cup of tea with guests provides conversation and a quiet moment away from the normal hustle and bustle. Many interesting tea customs have developed over the centuries. In India, for example, you might drink tea with a lot of milk, sugar, mon, and cardamom. The Burmese soak tea leaves in oil and garlic and eat this mixture with dried fish. In Thailand, people chew tea leaves seasoned with salt and other spices. In Iran, perfumed tea is a favorite. It is made by leaving flowers or herbs in the tea container for several days. In Morocco, tea is prepared in a brass or silver teapot to which sugar and mint are added. Then the tea is served in small glasses with mint leaves. If guests accept an offer of tea, they are expected to drink at least three glasses. Regardless of where or how tea is prepared and served, many people consider it to be an important part of their social life. Having a cup of tea provides a reason for getting together and sharing a moment of conversation. Tea may no longer be considered a sacred cure for all illnesses, but it is a remedy for both the body and the spirit in our sometimes frantic lives.