From ROGER YOUNG
I have much enjoyed the reasons your readers give for the source of
tea and the putting of Milk In First (MIF). Some time ago I heard a man
from the Wedgwood company describe the origins of this ritual on a radio
programme. It seems it began in the 16th century. The rich and noble used
bone-china tea services imported from the Far East. The finest quality sets
were those in which the ceramic was so thin it was translucent; but they
tended to crack when hot tea was poured directly into them. Some wise head
found that a little milk, poured into the cup first, acted as a satisfactory
thermal cushion. Thus was born MIF.
Roger Young Watton, Norfolk
