What can be cooked from squid: quick and tasty

Tea drinking is a kind of leisure time when visiting guests or with a friendly family. With loved ones, anyone can take a break from the daily routine and problems. In addition, drinking tea in pleasant company is soothing and relaxing.

For a long time, the traditions of tea drinking have been introduced into daily life... There are many legends and stories about this drink, many of which are associated with famous personalities. So, according to Honore de Balzac, all great things begin with a glass of champagne, and are pumped into a cup of tea. However, often important and interesting thoughts visit a person precisely at the time of tea drinking.

In the modern world, the variety of tea mugs on the shelves of tableware stores can surprise even the most discerning customer. In addition, such attributes differ depending on the countries of origin.

1. In the Middle East, most often the drink is consumed from such dishes, where there is no handle. The vessels, as a rule, are then made of glass material. In appearance, they can be compared with miniature vases or glasses. In the lower part of the container, the roundness of the forms is observed, which begins to taper approximately to the "waist" zone. This prevents the tea from cooling too quickly. Such mugs do not differ in capacity, since only about a hundred milliliters of a drink can be poured into them. But in these countries they drink tea very often - sometimes up to thirty times a day.

2. Earlier in Russia, tea was brewed using a samovar, where tea leaves were placed for a long period, and then the drink was poured into mugs and diluted with cool water. Even then, our ancestors drank tea from saucers in order to quickly get a cooled drink. However, according to another version, a similar type of tea drinking came from Ancient China, where people drank the product from special yin bowls.

3. For the first time, mugs with a handle appeared in Austria and England. They were characterized by noticeable differences. The Austrian models repeated the yin shape, and the English ones repeated the yang shape. Such containers were often developed with the presence of legs, and the English versions often also had lids. This made it possible to extend the cooling time of the drink.

4. Gaiwan is a specialized Chinese teapot. In principle, the container is quite similar to classic tea cups with equipment in the form of a small sieve made of metal or ceramic, a lid, a spoon and a saucer. It is best to use this model for individual tea drinking, so as not to stain the teapot for brewing. After preparing the drink, the leaves will remain inside the strainer, which is immediately removed before drinking the product. This set is distinguished by its versatility, and it is also just ideal for the office, although at home it will bring no less benefit. Will become a kit and good gift for a loved one, especially if you supplement it with quality tea.

It is noteworthy that the volume of the mugs also affects their classification:

English cups - 384 ml;
European cups - 250 ml;
American cups - 237-240 ml;
Japanese cups - 180 ml.

Choosing a tea mug

At the moment, there is a wide range of tea cups. For example, each country is ready to offer a variety of design solutions and container designs. Porcelain containers of translucent texture from China are noteworthy. Original models Turkish cups in the shape of a tulip stand out. European circles in an aristocratic style with good capacity are also often chosen by modern people. There are no specific standards and norms for the manufacture of such dishes. The main thing is that it is convenient to drink tea from it, and besides, it meets the wishes of its owner.

In the days of the Soviet Union, it was quite easy to purchase tea kits. Moreover, then it was impossible to call the range of such tableware wide and diverse. On the shelves of stores, there were containers with different shapes and ornaments, but they were all bought up at a rapid speed. There were very few original sets at that time. But today you can find a rich variety of such goods, where some sets are distinguished by exclusivity and incredible designs, shapes, colors and materials. In other words, any customer will find a cup of tea for their personal taste.

When choosing mugs, you need to select models based on your own preferences in drinking tea. For example, lovers of long brewing and hot drinks should give preference to mugs with lids and strainers.

Correct tea brewing process

The easiest way to prepare a tea drink is by pouring the leaves into a mug and pouring them over with boiled hot water... But, so that the entry of tea leaves does not spoil the tea drinking process, you need to use a special strainer. The sequence for preparing a tea drink is most often performed as follows:

1. In a strainer you need to pour tea leaves, calculating the proportions as follows: one small spoonful of tea for one glass of water. If a large leaf tea is being prepared, a heaped teaspoon should be used.

2. Now you need to boil clean water. It is best to consume a soft, filtered liquid.

3. To keep the mug warm, you need to scald it inner part boiling water. In the case when you plan to cook green tea, you should first pour a full cup of boiling water and wait a minute, letting the water cool slightly.

It is important to remember that in no case should green tea varieties be brewed in boiling water, otherwise the drink will acquire a bitter taste.

Rules for washing tea mugs

After numerous teas, an ugly bloom from the tea leaves appears on the mugs. It is difficult to clean such dirt with the help of improvised means and ordinary dishwashing products. However, there are some tips you can use to help your containers regain their shine and shine:

When washing multiple cups at once, it is advisable to use baking soda. Using a cloth with baking soda, the plaque must be wiped off until the surface of the mugs is perfectly clean.

Another method of removing plaque is to use salt. Moreover, you need to give preference to a fine-grained product so that the walls of the container are not damaged and scratched;

For light soiling, you can use a lemon slice. They wipe the surface of the dishes and leave for thirty minutes. Then the containers need to be washed in the usual way until the plaque is completely eliminated;

If you have a lot of mugs, it is a good idea to use citric acid. Here, one small spoonful of the substances should be poured into each cup and pour hot boiled water over them. In this form, the dishes are left for five minutes and washed in the usual way;

You can also simply purchase detergent, which includes either citric acid or soda.

Probably, each person has his own favorite, from which he usually drinks aromatic tea or invigorating coffee. The choice of such a cup is purely individual and may depend on many factors. Nevertheless, one cannot ignore the fact that for each specific species tea and coffee there is one that helps to fully reveal, and in some cases improve, the taste of the served drink.

How to choose a cup for tea

Tea cups can hardly boast of such a variety of types as the coffee one, which we will discuss below, so when choosing cups for serving tea on the table, most people proceed from their own tastes and preferences. But if you look into history, you can see that in Ancient China, where, in fact, they originated, from time immemorial there were two main types - yang and yin, from which all modern analogues originated.

Yang cup is a narrow, straight and tall vessel, the shape of which resembles a goblet or glass. Yin cup- low and wide, somewhat reminiscent of a modern bowl. In Europe, the so-called Viennese cups which looked like yin bowls from China. There were also cups for tea, in shape representing a cross between yin and yang cups - in the east, such cups are considered the most beautiful to this day.

When it comes to modern tea cups, they can vary in shape, color and design. These can be wide low bowls or high, monochromatic and brightly colored products, smooth and ornaments with stucco patterns. Today, there are hardly any strict restrictions, and many designers take full advantage of this, releasing outlandish cups for any, even the most, taste.

Which is the most convenient? The answer is simple: if you want the drink to cool down as quickly as possible, then it is better to use pialo-shaped cups, and if you prefer hot tea, then use tall cups with straight or narrowed up edges - in the latter, the tea will stay hot much longer.

The most the best materials for manufacturing it is considered porcelain, earthenware and clay, and the most inappropriate - plastic and tin... The size of the cup usually depends on the type of tea: the higher the quality of the tea leaf, the smaller the cup should be. In the east, tea is drunk from very small cups (up to 60 ml), the dignity of which cannot be underestimated - they drink from such cups calmly and slowly, in small sips, revealing the entire gamut and aroma of the finest tea taste.

Among the porcelain cups for tea can be distinguished , behind the amazing beauty and elegance of which lies the centuries-old history of ancient Chinese art. It should be said here that the first tea sets were made by Chinese masters from jade - an expensive and laborious material to work with. Not all residents of China could afford such sets, so local potters of that time were diligently looking for new material, which would not be inferior to jade in terms of practicality and beauty. This material became porcelain, which has safely survived to this day and is still very popular. Chinese masters have brought their craft to perfection and today they produce unique cups and sets made of stucco porcelain, which can be safely called real works of art.

As for the color, the real color of the drink will be clearly visible only in white or transparent containers. However, according to the ancients oriental traditions the teacup should have a yellow-brown color that best matches the color of this revered beverage. Also, the cups of those times could be decorated with beautiful paintings, which usually depicted something calm and uncommon, to match the tea ceremony itself - a solemn and unhurried ritual. However, you can choose a cup of any color, as long as you like it.

Cups for coffee drinks

Many of us start our morning with coffee drinks, which may differ from each other not only in the method of preparation and ingredients, but in the way they are served - each drink has its own type that meets certain requirements.

So, to serve espresso there are special demitas cups with saucers. Demitas is a small cup (volume 60-90 ml) with a handle, made of ceramic or thick-walled porcelain, which is most often made in white. It retains heat well, which is very important for the fullest disclosure of the taste of many coffee drinks.

Ristretto it is customary to serve in a small glass cup without handles or in a demitas with a saucer.

Many times in my life I had to deal with such a situation that even in fairly wealthy families, they use different-colored mugs from different sets to serve coffee or tea. It doesn't look as pretty as if they bought a couple of beautiful tea and coffee sets. This strange tradition, when each family member has his own circle, reminds me of Leo Tolstoy's fairy tale "Three Bears". In my head immediately pops up "Who drank in my cup?", "Who drank in my cup and drank everything?", "Who slept on my bed?" etc.

Assorted mugs usually end up in our kitchen for a reason. When people don't know what to give, they often buy some kind of photo frame, or this newest mug with a hint of originality. I calculated that in my closet there are already about fifteen donated mugs, which I do not use, since I prefer organic sets.

Even more surprising is the fact that some have beautiful sets and safely gather dust in the closet to see the light once a year on New Year's Eve.

“This is a festive service, there is no need for such beautiful dishes for every day” - say the owners of the service, taking out a well-worn mug from the same well-worn sideboard.

I believe that everything in life should be done with taste: dress, cook, eat, drink, travel, love. Even such little things as beautiful dishes can greatly change our perception of the world and make life brighter.

Types of coffee cups

Did you know that there are many types of cups for coffee or tea, and different cups are used to serve different drinks? The coffee cups especially distinguished themselves, which is logical, since coffee drinks are very diverse. The principle of choosing coffee cups for home and for coffee shops is different, since at home you can limit yourself to purchasing a set of cups with a volume of 170-200 ml, while a coffee shop will need different utensils for serving each drink.

Espresso cup

Espresso cup - smallest Coffee cup, with a volume of 35-40 ml. Sometimes espresso coffee is also served in 60-90 ml cups.

The standard espresso cup is made of thick porcelain High Quality and stuff like this isn't just a whim of the avid coffee lover. Such cups are used to better maintain the temperature, because real espresso is prepared in small portions and in any other mug it will simply cool down quickly.

Espresso cups are very heat-holding and their unique shape contributes to the best development of the flavor. Correctly brewed coffee is drunk very gently in such a cup, provided that the mug was preheated before pouring the coffee.

Demitasse cup

Demitasse cup - a coffee cup with a volume of 60 to 90 ml (most often) made of thick-walled porcelain in the shape of an inverted truncated cone. Translated from French, the word "demitasse" can be translated as "half a cup". Demitasse cups are also suitable for serving espresso as well as Turkish coffee.

Demitasse cups are actively used when serving coffee in many famous coffee houses, such as Starbucks.

Cup for cappuccino

This drink requires larger cups, so coffee pairs (cup + saucer) with a volume of 170 to 220 ml are used to serve cappuccino. The smallest 170ml cappuccino cup is also suitable for serving coffee specialties such as espresso with cream, lungo, dopio, etc.

Latte cup

Lattes are served in large cups or glasses of 220, 250, 300 or 360 ml.

Cup for americano

An Americano cup is similar to an espresso cup, but with a larger volume. The Americano coffee cup is a 200-220 ml thick-walled cup.

Frappuccino cup

The largest volume cups are needed for serving frappuccino. The larger the cup, the better. Typically, this volume ranges from 350 ml to 500 ml.

If you are very fond of coffee, then to serve drinks you will need small cups for espresso coffee, as well as standard coffee pairs for Americano and cappuccino. great coffee cocktails can be made in glasses.

Types of tea cups

With tea cups, things are much simpler. Cups can be made of glass, porcelain, clay, or ceramics. It is best to choose tea cups made of thick-walled porcelain, as this material keeps heat very well.

Tea cups can be small in volume, such cups are also called tasting cups.

The ideal tea set is medium-sized wide porcelain cups with saucers.

A lot depends on the material of the dishes. For example, in some mugs, tea cools down in 5 minutes, while in others it retains the desired temperature for a long time. Therefore, you need to choose a mug for different situations not only in design and shape, but also in the material from which it is made.

Properties of glass mugs

Such dishes are quite inexpensive and lend themselves well to photo printing on mugs. Glass cups also have other advantages:

Glass does not emit hazardous substances and does not affect the taste of the drink in any way;
Boiling water can be poured into such dishes, because only heat-resistant glass is used for it. But to prevent the cup from cracking, you need to avoid temperature changes: do not pour boiling water into a cold mug.

The lack of glass in its fragility and poor thermal insulation: tea in such a dish cools quickly. But those who drink tea that are not too hot will not notice this property.

Ceramic tableware

Ceramic mugs fully reveal the taste and aroma of hot drinks. Other advantages:

Ceramic cups maintain the temperature well, which is very important in winter and autumn. It is also convenient in the workplace if you are used to pouring hot tea and drinking it slowly between times.
Ceramics is an environmentally friendly and safe material.
Any design of mugs is possible according to your order.

But when choosing such a mug, remember that ceramics easily absorbs the smell and taste of a certain drink, so it is better to always drink only tea or only coffee from one cup. Specific appearance ceramic mugs: they are quite massive and will not look harmonious in every interior.

Glass ceramics

The name suggests: these circles have combined the advantages of the previous two types. Such dishes:

Does not affect the taste of the drink and does not absorb odors;
Made from environmentally friendly material;
Allows the drink to stay hot for a long time.

However, like ceramic ones, such mugs are not very elegant: they are more often bought for the office.

Porcelain

The most expensive and high quality material:

Real porcelain cups are light and graceful;
Keep the drink hot for a long time;
Despite the small thickness of the material, it is quite durable.

Porcelain mugs have only one drawback - the high, albeit justified, cost. It is not always advisable to buy just such dishes.

Faience

Cheaper and more fragile "double" of porcelain. Earthenware mugs are much easier to beat and hold the temperature worse, but:

They look sleeker than ceramic ones;
They cost much less than porcelain products.

Each material has its own set of advantages. Relying on them, it is better to buy a ceramic or glass-ceramic cup for work, which retains heat well and is unpretentious. For home, elegant porcelain or earthenware dishes or inexpensive glass are more suitable.

Rest from everyday life, bustle and problems is not only a dream, but also a pleasant short-lived time in peace of mind.

It is best to spend a short break with a cup of your favorite hot tea. Honore de Balzac was convinced that great things begin with champagne and end with a cup of tea. It is possible to disagree, because often brilliant thoughts are born precisely during tea drinking.

Types and types of tea mugs

For example:

Mug with tea strainer

Not everyone knows that tea mugs are also classified according to volume. For example, English is 384 ml, in Europe it is customary to drink from a 250 ml vessel, the American version is 237-240 ml, and Japanese cups are 180 ml.

How to choose?

The variety of tea mugs is incredible. Each nation offers its own practical design and construction of these vessels. Translucent porcelain from China, tulip cups from Turkey, volumetric mugs and an aristocratic couple from Europe - which one to choose? There are no standards and rules, the main thing is that the cup is pleasant, comfortable and in line with the individual preferences of its owner.

In Soviet times, it was not difficult to acquire a beautiful tea set, since the choice was not great, they bought up everything that would appear on store shelves: high, low mugs, with flowers, fruits, cars, and, of course, with a golden border inside, along the edge cups. The shortage of goods raised the question of the consumer, how to get the original set? Today, the abundance of the proposed options allows you not to "get", but to choose whatever your heart desires. A variety of colors, shapes, materials and types of steaming - this is what modern life makes it possible to roam in the choice of a mug.

From an aesthetic point of view, it makes no sense to classify mugs as more convenient or beautiful. Taking into account individual preferences, we have the right to choose the model that corresponds to the state of mind. For those who like to brew tea leaves longer, and so that the tea does not cool down quickly, it is better to choose options with a strainer and a lid. A matter of taste, the main thing is to listen to your desires and needs.

How to brew tea correctly?

The simplest and most common way to brew tea is to pour it into a mug and pour boiling water over it to infuse. But then you come across leaves that spoil the pleasure of tea drinking, so it is better to use a strainer. So, for proper steaming, you need to do the following:

Pour tea into a strainer. Calculate the proportions as follows - 1 tsp of leaves per 200 ml of water. It is better to pour large-leaved tea with a slide.
Boil fresh water, preferably filtered soft water.
In order for the mug to be warm, it must be scalded inside with boiling water. For those who prefer green tea brewing, pour a full mug of boiling water and wait about a minute for the water to cool slightly.
Place a strainer in a mug, add water and wait until the tea is steamed.

Important! Green tea should not be steamed in steep boiling water, as it can taste bitter.

How to wash a tea mug?

Tea brew after numerous tea drinking tends to be covered with a bloom. This plaque is quite difficult to clean up with helpers. traditional subjects... But still, there are several reliable methods, which we will present below:

If there are several cups, the most common and effective way is baking soda... Using a cloth with soda, wipe the plaque until the mug is completely cleaned.
A second similar method is salt cleansing. It is better to take crushed salt here, so as not to scratch the walls of the dishes.
If there are a lot of cups, and they are not very dirty, it is a good option for cleansing with a slice of lemon, with which the cups are wiped and left for half an hour, after which the plaque is perfectly washed off.
For a large number of mugs, use citric acid. Pour a teaspoon into each mug and pour boiling water for 5 minutes, then wash in the usual way.
Or use an industrial detergent containing baking soda, citric acid.

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