George Orwell, author of 1984 and Animal Farm (as if you didn’t know that) was a bit of a dictator himself when it came to tea. I agree with all his rules except for No. 4. I think we like our tea a bit weaker nowadays, and it would also depend on the type and cut of the tea leaves. But otherwise, I would recommend these rules, especially to our American Brethren.

Enjoy!

1. Use tea from India or Ceylon (Sri Lanka), not China
2. Use a teapot, preferably ceramic
3. Warm the pot over direct heat
4. Tea should be strong – six spoons of leaves per 1 litre
5. Let the leaves move around the pot – no bags or strainers
6. Take the pot to the boiling kettle
7. Stir or shake the pot
8. Drink out of a tall, mug-shaped tea cup
9. Don’t add creamy milk
10. Add milk to the tea, not vice versa
11. No sugar!