Afternoon tea at the Ritz

BBC Learning EnglishLondon LifeAfternoon tea at the RitzAnna: Hello, I'm Anna Jones and this is London Life. Andin today’s programmewe’re looking at a very English custom. What do you thinkthis woman is describing?
　　I think the whole art of tea-taking is a very elegant¹ and avery English thing to do. This whole ambience of tea-takingmakes you be elegant.
　　Anna: Well that was Gerrie Pitt who is the director ofpress and public relations at the Ritz hotel in centralLondon. And she’s describing the very English custom ofhaving tea or “tea –taking.” The Ritz hotel is one ofthe most famous hotelsin London and this year is celebrating its centenary – itopened 100 years agoin 1906 –its centenary. The Ritz is especially well knownfor its wonderful teas but taking tea at the Ritz is not aneveryday event – it’s usually reserved for a specialoccasion like a birthday or anniversary. Tea is served inthe beautiful surroundings of the Palm Court – displays offlowers and palms add to the experience of “tea-taking.”.
　　Gerrie says that the “whole ambience” of teataking – the whole character or quality of the Ritz –makes you feel “elegant - it makes you feel attractive andyou behave in a very graceful² way.
　　And it’s not just a cup of tea either – it’s almost likehaving a 3 course meal. Listen to Gerrie as she describesthe food served with a pot of tea. What do you eat with teaat the Ritz?
　　The actual food items on the tea menu come on a three-tiered cake stand. The bottom being the finger sandwiches– very traditional – and the waiter will explain what thefillings are. Then we do our scones³ in the middle and we doour cakes and pastries⁴ on the top. It’s donealmost like courses.
　　Anna: Well we hear that the food arrives on a “three-tiered cake stand.- there are threelevels, one on top of each other and  on eachlevel there’s a plate for holding the food. And what foodis there? Gerrie tells us that there are fingersandwiches – these are small sandwiches filled with avariety of different things. She describes this kind ofsandwich as “very traditional” – if something isdescribed as traditional then it has been going on in thesame way for a very long time – so finger sandwiches havebeen a part of the traditional English afternoon tea for along time.  In the middle of the tier there arescones which are small round cakes which are often eatenwith jam and cream which is known as a cream tea. Andfinally, at the top of the tier there are various cakes andsweet pastries. Gerrie says that tea is its almost donelike“courses” - a part of a meal which is served separatelyfrom the other parts of it.
　　Anna: Now what about making the tea? How do you make aproper cup of English tea? What does Gerrie say is the mostimportant thing about making a cup of tea? Have a listen.
　　The crucial things about tea-making and tea-taking is thatthe water should always beabsolutely piping hot and it has to be on the boil andboiling and then you let the leaves stew⁵. And we don’t putmilk in first simply because we feel that it’s up to theguest to decide how strong or weak they would like theirtea.
　　Anna: According to Gerrie the most “crucial” thingabout tea making – the most important thing - is to makesure that the water is “piping” hot – it is very hot andhas just boiled. Then after pouring the water onto the tealeaves you let the leaves “stew” or absorb the water tomake the tea. If you hear someone talking about “stewedtea” they are describing tea that has been left too longin the tea pot before being poured and tastes strong andbitter. What about the milk – what is the tea makingetiquette – what are the rules or socially accepted wayof adding the milk? Does it go in to the cup before the teais poured or afterwards? Listen again. Well at the Ritz theetiquette – or the accepted way – is to add the milkafterwards so that the guest can decide how strong or weakthey would like their tea. Well as we mentionedearlier the Ritz is a very famous London hotel – so famousin fact that its name now appears in thedictionary as an adjective. What do you think it means?
　　Here’s Gerrie.
　　Even the name The Ritz has become generic⁶ in thedictionary. People talk about things being“ritzy” and even if something is not very ritzy orsomething is very ritzy and that all comes from the name.
　　Anna: If something is described as “ritzy” it isexpensive and fashionable – for example you might describesomeone’s dress or car as ritzy. Well its 4 o clock now soit must be time for a cup of tea.

1 elegant   

adj.优美的，文雅的，简练的，简结的

参考例句：

• She was an elegant and accomplished woman.她是位优雅的才女。
• She has a life of elegant ease.她过着风雅悠闲的生活。

2 graceful   

adj.优美的，优雅的；得体的

参考例句：

• His movements on the parallel bars were very graceful.他的双杠动作可帅了!
• The ballet dancer is so graceful.芭蕾舞演员的姿态是如此的优美。

3 scones   

n.烤饼，烤小圆面包( scone的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• scones and jam with clotted cream 夹有凝脂奶油和果酱的烤饼
• She makes scones and cakes for the delectation of visitors. 她烘制了烤饼和蛋糕供客人享用。 来自辞典例句

4 pastries   

n.面粉制的糕点

参考例句：

• He gave a dry laugh, then sat down and started on the pastries. 杜新箨说着干笑一声，坐下去就吃点心。 来自子夜部分
• Mike: So many! I like Xijiang raisins, beef jerky, and local pastries. 麦克：太多了。我最喜欢吃新疆葡萄干、牛肉干和风味点心。

5 stew   

n.炖汤，焖，烦恼；v.炖汤，焖，忧虑

参考例句：

• The stew must be boiled up before serving.炖肉必须煮熟才能上桌。
• There's no need to get in a stew.没有必要烦恼。

6 generic   

adj.一般的，普通的，共有的

参考例句：

• I usually buy generic clothes instead of name brands.我通常买普通的衣服，不买名牌。
• The generic woman appears to have an extraordinary faculty for swallowing the individual.一般妇女在婚后似乎有特别突出的抑制个性的能力。