成人英语三级阅读理解(82)

Tea to the average English man or woman usually means Indian tea. It is served with milk and sugar and the folklore surrounding its preparation is prodigious. First the teapot has to be heated. The tea, once made, has to be left to "stand" and "brew" -- but not so long that it becomes "stewed." Cold milk is poured into the bottom of each cup and then tea is added either with the addition of water or, more normally, "just as it comes" -- neat and strong. China tea is considered smarter and preparation rituals are similar, but milk is always added after the tea if it is taken at all. A slice of lemon is often substituted. Sugar goes in last.

对于一般的英国男女来说，茶通常指的是印度茶。喝茶的时候要加牛奶和糖。有关沏茶的民间习俗五花八门。首先茶壶要加热。茶一旦泡了，得先“不动”它，让它“沏”一下，但又不能时间太长把茶焖烂了。要先将凉牛奶倒入每个杯子，然后加上泡好了的茶，有时再添加一些水，而更通常的情况是“就这样”什么也不加，使茶清爽、浓烈。英国人认为喝中国茶更时髦。沏茶程序差不多，不过，如果要加牛奶的话，一般是在茶沏好后加。常常也以一片柠檬来代替。最后加的是糖。