When he wasn’t writing books for the ages, George Orwell sometimes turned his hand to less world-shaking tasks such as making a proper cup of tea:
First of all, one should use Indian or Ceylonese tea. [. . .]
Secondly, tea should be made in small quantities — that is, in a teapot. [. . .]
Thirdly, the pot should be warmed beforehand. [. . .]
Fourthly, the tea should be strong. [. . .]
Fifthly, the tea should be put straight into the pot. [. . .]
Sixthly, one should take the teapot to the kettle and not the other way about. [. . .]
Seventhly, after making the tea, one should stir it, or better, give the pot a good shake, afterwards allowing the leaves to settle.
Eighthly, one should drink out of a good breakfast cup — that is, the cylindrical type of cup, not the flat, shallow type. [. . .]
Ninthly, one should pour the cream off the milk before using it for tea. [. . .]
Tenthly, one should pour tea into the cup first. [. . .]
Lastly, tea — unless one is drinking it in the Russian style — should be drunk without sugar.
