Tea Blog

One of the many things I’ve discovered over the years of writing about tea is that the British tend to have strong opinions on the subject.

In 1946, just three years before publishing 1984, George Orwell set out his views in the essay A Nice Cup of Tea, which remains widely quoted today. I discussed that piece in more detail in <a href="http://englishtea.us/2009/11/16/george-orwell’s-nice-cup-of Orwell’s essay on tea-making principles.

While defining exactly what makes someone “British” can be complicated, author Alexander McCall Smith likely qualifies. Born in what was then a British colony in Africa and now residing in Scotland, Smith is best known for his novels set in Africa. However, tea enthusiasts may be more interested in his essay Confessions of a Tea Addict, in which he shares his own strong opinions about tea.

The essay leaves little doubt about his views, beginning with the line, “Tea has always been there in my life.” Smith recounts drinking tea as a child—strong African black tea mixed with generous amounts of sugar and often condensed milk. The result, by modern standards, may sound closer to a heavily sweetened beverage than a traditional cup of tea.

This is one area where Smith’s early habits might have drawn criticism from Orwell, who expressed very clear opinions about sugar. Orwell argued that adding sugar diminishes the true flavor of tea, even going so far as to question whether a person could consider themselves a true tea lover if they routinely sweetened their cup.

In time, Smith abandoned sugar in his tea—a process that took some adjustment. He describes a transition period during which unsweetened tea initially tasted noticeably bitter before becoming more enjoyable once his palate adapted.

Beyond the question of sugar, Smith’s essay also explores his experiences with coffee, his preference for loose leaf tea over tea bags, and even the tea-making equipment he brings with him while traveling. The result is a thoughtful reflection on how personal habits and preferences shape one’s experience of tea.

To read the full essay and explore Smith’s perspective in detail, see this Guardian feature on Alexander McCall Smith’s lifelong relationship with tea.

See more of William I. Lengeman’s articles in this archive of tea-related writing by the author.

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