Tea Series #9: More Tea Vicar?
This is the 9th of the 12-cache Tea Series which takes you through the lush green Limuru-Tigoni tea-growing area. The cache, a small black-taped screw-capped tablet pot, is hidden in the bough of the tree. NB. Please take care when retrieving and replacing the cache to watch out for muggles who may be passing by or simply observing . . .
To reach the cache location:
From All Saint's Church junction @ S 01 07.991 E 36 41.875 which is reached as described in GC5KAXT Tea Series #4: Tigoni Waterfalls: take the tar side-road heading north-west, past the turn-off for the waterfalls cache (on the right) and Kiambethu Tea Farm (on the left) and continue until it becomes a dirt-road, passing through the lush-green tea plantations to the cache location.
From the cache, continue to the T-junction and follow this road winding through the tea fields to the T-junction with the main tar road (Kiambu Rd). At the next T-junction on the outskirts of Limuru, right will take you through the busy town to access the main Nairobi-Nakuru highway (A104) and left will take you back onto the Banana Hills road which you left at All Saint's Church.
The next nearest (and last) cache in the series would be GC5KBEB Tea Series #10: Tigoni Dam which may be accessed off this road.
Tea is an aromatic beverage with mildly stimulant properties usually made by pouring hot or boiling water over cured leaves of the tea plant, Camellia sinensis. It originated in China as a medicinal drink and was first introduced to Portuguese priests and merchants there during the 16th century. Tea drinking tea became popular in Britain during the 17th century and the British introduced it to India to compete with the Chinese tea monopoly.
Tea leaves contain about 3% caffeine, a stimulant drug which gives around 30-90mg per 250ml cup depending on the type of tea and how it is brewed. Coffee in comparison generally has more than twice the amount in the same volume, again depending on the type and how it is made.
'Herbal tea' usually refers to infusions of fruit or herbs made without the tea plant, such as rosehip tea, chamomile tea, or rooibos tea.
After water, tea is the most widely consumed drink in the world with 70,000 cups drunk per second! Globally some 50 million people are involved in the tea industry in many of the least developed countries. It is usually grown on large plantations and less often by small scale farmer cooperatives.
A tea plant will grow into a tree up to 16m tall if left to grow but cultivated plants are pruned to waist height for ease of plucking. Also, the short plants bear more new shoots which provide new and tender leaves and increase the quality of the tea.
Only the top 1–2 in of the mature plant are picked. These buds and leaves are called 'flushes'. A plant will grow a new flush every seven to 15 days during the growing season. Leaves that are slow in development tend to produce better-flavoured teas.
Tea and Human Health
Tea has been shown to be a health enhancing beverage. It contains no addictives, preservatives or artificial coloring, and is cholesterol-free when consumed without milk.
Research findings show that polythenols or flavonoids found in tea have powerful anti-oxidant properties which could reduce the risk of developing certain diseases including cancer, heart and dental ailments.
Tea and Culture
Tea may be taken early in the day to heighten calm alertness and in many cultures tea is also consumed at elevated social events,
such as afternoon tea and the tea party.
Chinese and Japnese tea ceremonies, involve traditional techniques and ritualised protocol of brewing and serving tea for enjoyment in a refined setting. Turkish tea is an important part of Turkish cuisine, and is the most commonly consumed hot drink, despite the country's long history of coffee consumption.
The Irish are one of the biggest consumers of tea in the world with an average 4 cups/person/day but many drink 6 or more! Tea in Ireland is usually taken with milk and/or sugar and is slightly spicier and stronger than the traditional English blend. Tea is prevalent in most cultures in the Middle East and in Arab culture, it is a focal point for social gatherings.
In the US, 80% of tea is consumed as iced tea. Sweet tea is native to the south-eastern states and is iconic in its cuisine.
In India, tea is one of the most popular hot beverages. It is consumed in high amounts in domestic and official surroundings, and is made with the addition of milk with or without spices. It is also served with biscuits dipped ('dunked') in the tea and eaten before consuming the tea.
In the UK, it is taken daily by a majority of people across the country, and is one of Britain's cultural beverages. It is customary good manners for a host to offer tea to guests soon after their arrival. Outside the home afternoon tea with cakes on fine porcelain is a cultural stereotype, sometimes available in quaint tea-houses. In SW England, many cafes serve a 'cream tea', consisting of scones, clotted cream, and jam alongside a pot of tea. 'Tea' may also refer to the evening meal, especially in the north of the country.
The phrase 'More tea vicar?' is used in conversation with someone when wanting to ignore something embarrassing (like a faux pas or breaking wind) and quickly change the subject. It appears in many cultural forms including music, comedy, theatre and cartoons, and on many items like T-shirts, mugs and caps.
See here for lots more interesting information on tea and here for many fascinating infographics on tea.
Music: See here for Iron Maiden's 'More Tea, Vicar?', here for a video of More Tea, Vicar? playing a blues track 'Natural Born Believer', here for another More Tea Vicar band playing 'More Tea, Vicar? (1992), here for an electronica album by Singedunord and here for Buckshot LeFonque playing 'Some Cow Fonque - More Tea, Vicar?' (with Branford Marsalis on sax) as used on the 'Men in Black' 1997 film Soundtrack.
Comedy: See here for a tea-time extract from the popular UK comedy series 'Father Ted'