Milk Firster or Tea Firster
From time to time, you may hear someone described as a "tea firster" or "milk firster". The expression refers to whether the tea is poured first into the cup before the milk, or whether the milk comes first. Historically, the custom reflected more than personal preference. Fine porcelain could withstand the heat of freshly brewed tea. The less expensive pottery was more likely to crack if boiling tea was poured directly into the cold cup. Adding the milk first acted as a cushion. Also, the pottery would stain readily. Yes, it originally identified an individual's affluence.
Here are examples of the difference between fine porcelain and pottery. Both are the same age, have been used equally and cared for (and loved) equally. Yet as you see, the fine porcelain cup is bright and unstained while the pottery cup is badly stained from the coffee and tea.
You can read more about the differences and qualities of china in our website, but here is a summary. Fine porcelain (or fine bone china) is 'vitified" during the firing process. This makes it less porous. And bone china is literally made from animal bone and maintains its milky-white color, durability, and translucency. A well-made tea or coffee cup is an investment in lasting quality, i.e.elegance and excellence.
However, please take seriously the importance of serving tea with grace and enjoying the company around the table. In other words, don't miss the opportunity if all you have is styrofoam cups!
