My friends, it's time to take another dip into the ocean of British food and drink. This time, however, we will not be looking at the differences between food and drink in the UK and US, but the differences in how we consume them. Oh, and "brekkers" is slang for "breakfast", in case you hadn't figured that one out...
Tea
The most English of all British beverages, tea was introduced to the English during Cromwell's Protectorate (1653-1658). Of course, the Puritanical natives needed some coaxing to accept this new substance, and indeed it was marketed as a medicinal draught! One advertisement stated :
"That excellent and by all Physitians approved China drink, called by the Chineans Tcha, by other Nations Tay alias Tea."
Although extremely popular in the late 17th Century, it was many years before the now almost mandatory addition of milk become a part of the whole ritual of tea drinking. So, here is the main difference between the US and UK; to Americans, tea is a cold beverage, whereas the British consider that sacrilegious. Tea is a HOT drink, to be taken (in most cases) with milk, and perhaps sugar. In addition, English tea tends to be stronger, with a much more robust flavour.
I just mentioned the "ritual" of tea drinking (I will be covering this in detail at a later date), and unlike the Americans, who usually just boil a cup of water in the microwave, many English still make their tea the traditional (or mostly traditional) way. Sadly, tea-bags have become the norm (there really is no substitute for loose tea), but the rest of the process is still commonplace. The steps are :
1) Bring the water (in a kettle, on the stove) to ALMOST boiling.
2) Warm the teapot by swirling hot water around, and then emptying.
3) Place the measured loose tea (one spoon for each cup to be taken, plus one more - "for the pot") into the teapot.
4) Add the desired amount of water.
5) Place the tea cosy on the pot to keep it warm.
6) Allow the tea to brew for the desired amount of time.
7) Pour cold milk into the cup (yes, this is done BEFORE pouring the tea).
8) Pour the tea into the cup, using a tea-strainer.
9) Add sugar to taste, if applicable.
10) Enjoy!
Coffee
While coffee is the chosen hot beverage of most Americans, it is also extremely popular across the pond. In fact, American visitors are often shocked at just how much coffee is drunk, considering how popular tea is.
Like tea, the main difference between the two countries is usually that the British prefer their coffee a lot stronger. There are some really good European coffees widely available in the UK, and these really benefit from a strong brew. Making these weaker can result in a very bitter drink.
The other real main difference - and I know this will sound really strange to my American friends - is that instant coffee is still the choice in many British households! Again, don't be too put off by the sound of that, as there are some excellent instant varieties available, that can compare favourably to most American filter coffees.
Toast
In this country, a slice or two of toast is taken with breakfast, sometimes just buttered, but more often than not, with grape jelly. In the UK, there are many, many more options.
Firstly, in many places, toast is served almost on an all-you-can-eat basis! It is served in a toast rack, and it is not considered bad form to request extra. The first major difference here is with simple buttered toast. Very popular over there, the use of a toast rack means that often, the toast is not served piping hot. However, that is not an issue, as the British seem to love a thick layer of REAL butter on top of their toast, as opposed to having a vegetable spread soak into the hot toast, making it soggy.
Now, grape jelly is just one of a variety of sweet toppings used on toast. These invariably include strawberry jam, blackberry jam, bitter orange marmalade (undoubtedly the most popular), and even honey. Please note how I added "bitter" to marmalade; in the US, marmalade is generally a lot sweeter than its British counterpart.
Then, we have the savoury toppings...
Bovril and Marmite are both commonly used. I have mentioned these before, but if you can't remember what I said, they are thick, black, salty, tar-like spreads, made from yeast extract. There is a possibly more famous version in Australia, called Vegemite. You may recall that from Men at Work's Down Under.
Whereas toast is just an accompaniment in this country, it is often the centrepiece of a British breakfast. You can order :
Cheese on toast - grated cheese heaped onto a couple of slices of buttered toast, and placed under a broiler or grill.
Egg on toast - usually a fried egg or two (with yummy runny yolks), although scrambled or poached are always options.
Beans on toast - yup, a can of baked beans (NOT pork and beans - we do not place two minute pieces of pork fat to our beans so we can add the term "pork" to the title) - in tomato sauce, heated and poured over the toast.
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