East Frisian Tea

By RecipeLot

Tee mit Sahnewolke, die ostfriesische Art Tee zu trinken. Aufgenommen in Emden, Niedersachsen am 25.12.2008. ? Photo by Ke.We., CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Afternoon tea is an important part of East Frisian culture. Whether at home or when visiting friends, East Frisians try not to miss their teetied (Low German for "tea time"). The tea is not stirred. Rather, enjoy the different flavors at the different layers: the relatively "pure" black tea at the top, the tea mixed with cream in the middle, and the tea sweetened by the rock sugar at the bottom. The same piece of rock sugar can be used for the next cups of tea. It is considered impolite in East Frisia for a guest to drink fewer than three cups. Cookies (biscuits) may be served with the tea. Rum is occasionally added to the tea for warmth on colder days.

Ingredients and directions are available to RecipeLot members. Sign up or log in to see the full recipe.