Cakes! For many, an almost erotic accompaniment to tea. A favourite of mine is the Irish Tea Cake.

Ain’t they just the prettiest looking cakes? Click here for the much sought after recipe.

As the divine Delia Smith puts it, ‘there’s no better way to spend a leisurely afternoon than with tea and cakes!’ We couldn’t agree more, and can’t recommend Delia’s cake recipes enough.

And finally…Not quite a duck-rabbit test. Do you see a duck or a rabbit?

Do you see tea? Or cake?

You know the feeling where you gaze inside your morning cup of tea as if to ask what the day might hold for you. Well, did you know that you’re edging towards the occult practice of divination by tea-leaves. Yes. Discard your tarot pack, say balls to your crystal ball: the only surefire method of predicting the future is through the medium of tea. Oh yes.
How do I attain seer-like powers and foretell what shall come to pass, I hear you cry? Easy. Find a wide cup, with a plain, even surface. Leave a teaspoon of tea at the bottom of the cup. And with your left hand (very important, this), turn it three times from left to right in one rapid swinging movement, then carefully turn upside down on the saucer and leave for a minute, to allow the tea to drain away. As you do this, try thinking about The Future, or Destiny.
Then turn the cup over and start reading.

‘The bottom of the cup represents the remoter future; the side of the cup is the more imminent future; and near the rim is the imminent future. The nearer the symbols approach the handle in all three cases, the nearer to fulfillment will be the forecast events.
You need leaves so make sure they pour out from the teapot. The more the merrier.
You then state to find resemblances between the shape made by the leaves and natural objects. What do these shapes look like? These are the symbols by which you read the future. For a guide to the meaning of these symbols, have a look at this hallowed text and scan down to ‘Alphabetical List of Symbols’. And good luck in your newfound career as tea wizard!

Ever whether wondered how strong your finest fragile-seeming teacups really are? Well, wonder no longer. Four china cups are strong enough, apparently, to support a Lamborghini Gallardo, a car which weighs 3, 153 lb. Check it.

That’s 788 lbs weight in each cup. Something to do with the highly compressive strength of ceramic.

Obviously this stunt was created under precise conditions, and with the use of a crane, so unless you have one of those handy, don’t try this at home.

Tea stains: friend or foe? Seasoned drinkers, especially those of us whose motor functions have a mind of their own, will have experienced the horrors of the spillage: friends over, impeccably civil, pleasantries and light banter, such a delightful afternoon you forget the time, you turn your wrist, cup in hand, to look at your watch and argh! you pour the tea over your favourite cardigan. Afternoon ruined. Friends make excuses and leave, amid embarrassed silence. You never hear from them again. OK, it’s not that bad. But what do you do to get rid of the wretched stain? Well, try this.

Mix one teaspoon of mild Ph balanced detergent with lukewarm water. Sponge the stain. Then mix a third cup of white vinegar with two thirds cup of water. Sponge the stain. Then rub the garment to remove residue and rinse in cold water. If the stain persists, rub with salt. Rinse and launder as usual, but don’t put in the dryer.

Do consult the stain removal forumfor detailed advice on cleaning and stain removal.

But some people have been harnessing the creative power of tea stains. Who’d have thought. Tea stains on paper are actually quite pretty. Here is a rather primitive example. It’s a trick you can easily try for yourself. With Valentine’s Day fast approaching, why not try this, and surprise your lover with a lovely romantic stain: