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In Ireland, It’s Always Time for Tea

Irene Hislop
Belleek Shamrock Teapot
Belleek Shamrock Teapot

If you are in Ireland, you are very likely going to encounter two very charming Irish gifts: hospitality and tea. Whenever you visit an Irish home, the host will offer tea. And if you decline, they offer a few more times, just in case. Perhaps because just about every family includes people who have emigrated, most Irish people are eager to make newcomers and visitors feel welcome. When a friend or relation drops by, the first thing a host does is put on the kettle.

Irish Claddagh Beverage Pot
Irish Claddagh Tea or Coffee Pot
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You’ll hear that phrase often in Irish homes. Come home from work upset, and your partner will say ‘I’ll put on the kettle’. Visit a friend and mention a disagreement with someone… ‘I’ll put on the kettle’. The words don’t just mean that someone is preparing a hot drink; it means I see you need a shoulder to lean on, and I’m here for you. Saying ‘I’ll put on the kettle’ means I’m preparing for a good long conversation. And our propensity to share stories is one of our more enduring Irish gifts.

A Proper Cup of Tea

Irish people tend to be a bit disappointed in the tea in other places. Making tea is almost a ritual here. If you want a proper Irish cup of tea, don’t go near the microwave. You’ll need a good teapot. First you boil the water, and then you scald the pot. Before you put the teabags (yes, plural) into the pot, you rinse it out with hot water to warm – or scald – it so the tea stays hot longer. Even if you are drinking tea alone, a teapot is preferable than making it in the cup. Teapots, teacups and mugs are always good Irish gifts.

Field of Shamrocks Collection
Field of Shamrocks Collection Irish Tea
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While tea is almost mandatory with visitors, people do enjoy it solo too. It’s deeply woven into Irish culture, and that’s no surprise. Nothing is nicer than a hot cup of tea when you come in from the damp, cool weather. And what’s more perfect when you are curled up watching Saoirse Ronan or Cillian Murphy’s latest work or engrossed in a book from Ireland’s growing pantheon of famous writers?

Is This Much Tea Even Safe?

If you are not used to it, the volume of tea consumed every day by the average Irish person might seem excessive. We’ll have a cuppa with breakfast and another midmorning. After work, a cup of tea is just the thing to revive yourself for the evening ahead… which might involve more tea drinking in front of the fire.

The Hydrangea Collection
The Hydrangea Collection Irish Tea
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But never fear, tea actually offers some health benefits. It has less caffeine than coffee, and tea itself has no calories. (The milk and sugar are another story.) Various studies have found that tea is associated with a lower risk of high cholesterol and high blood sugar. Tea contains antioxidants, which reduce your risk of diabetes, cancer and heart disease. Experts suggest that drinking two to three cups of tea a day is good for you, so feel free to treat yourself to a cozy cuppa when you sit down with a good book or film this winter.

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