How to drink English tea...

Tea is widely known as 'Cha' or 'Chai' in China and India, where it originated. It was made fashionable to the English society circa 17th century by a Portuguese Queen, Catherine of Braganza. Hence the name 'tea' which is 'te' in Latin. Her marriage to Charles II was disastrous but at least we're left with a lasting legacy.

I love the fuss made around tea drinking ceremonies - the silverwares, doilies and chintzy tea sets. It won't feel right having afternoon tea in uber-minimalist pieces.

You have to camp it out a bit...