Queen Mary

Once the world’s largest and fastest ocean liner, the Queen Mary represents the pinnacle of the art of ship-building for it’s day. Put into service in 1936, she soon captured the imagination of the public on both sides of the Atlantic and came to represent the spirit of the era that was characterized by elegance and style. In 1940 the Queen Mary was pressed into military service and became a troop carrier. She was painted grey (and gained the nickname - ‘The Grey Ghost’). Once refitted in this role she could carry 15,000 men across the Atlantic in 4 days. The ship was allowed to cross the Atlantic alone because of her speed. It was known that she could outrun all U-boats and the odd military cruiser that could keep up with her and were required elsewhere.

Of all the ships commissioned by the Cunard Line, the Queen Mary and her sister ship the Queen Elizabeth best transcended the utilitarian association of transatlantic travel. With her legendary speed and stateliness, the sleek new liner provided a tangible symbol of the end of the Depression. An afternoon tea would be one of the many daily rituals that travelers would enjoy whilst aboard the Queen Mary. It has been said that a voyage on the Queen Mary was a remedy for the travails of life. The fresh salt air and sunshine would be sure to put a spring in anyone’s step and a comforting cup of tea would be sure to take the chill out of the night air while watching the sea miles disappear into the darkness.

We have prepared a blend commemorating those days gone by, keeping in mind the relationship between quality, comfort and piece of mind. The “Queen Mary Blend” is a wonderful tea to imbibe whether you are lounging in your deck chair or sitting seaside. We’re sure you’ll enjoy this classic sensation where you can take a trip on a transatlantic liner with every sip!!!!!

[A tea tasters secret recipe for a pick-me-up on a cold day - make this tea hot as above, pour into a large mug and add 4-5 slices of lemon and 2 heaping teaspoons of sugar - sit back and enjoy a tasty energy boost. To make a special iced tea - after you have added the lemon and sugar, pour this over ice in a tall glass - terrific!]

Hot tea brewing method: Bring freshly drawn cold water to a rolling boil. Place 1 teaspoon of tea for each cup into the teapot. Pour the boiling water into the teapot. Cover and let steep for 3-7 minutes according to taste (the longer the steeping time the stronger the tea). Add milk and sugar to taste.

Iced tea brewing method: (to make 1 liter/quart): Place 6 teaspoons of tea into a teapot or heat resistant pitcher. Pour 1 1/4 cups of freshly boiled water over the tea, steep for 5 minutes. Quarter fill a serving pitcher with cold water. Pour the tea into your serving pitcher straining the leaves. Add ice and top-up the pitcher with cold water. Garnish and sweeten to taste. Please note that this tea may tend to go cloudy or ‘milky’ when poured over ice; a perfectly normal characteristic of some high quality black teas and nothing to worry about!