tea

Everyday

1. Tea is a hot drink made by pouring boiling water onto dried leaves of the tea plant. tree →
2. Tea also means the dried leaves themselves. tree →
3. In the UK, Ireland, Australia and New Zealand, «tea» can mean an evening meal, especially for children; «afternoon tea» is a light meal with cakes and sandwiches. tree →
4. Some drinks made from other plants are also called tea, like mint tea. tree →

In the lessons

In everyday life tea is drunk with milk or lemon, often from a mug. In safety lessons hot tea is a common cause of burns for small children: keep hot drinks away from the edge of tables and never carry them near babies. In stories «having tea» can be a cosy scene. In science, tea shows dissolving: sugar dissolves faster in hot tea. Phrases: a cup of tea, make tea, cream tea, iced tea, teatime, teapot.

Examples

• Would you like a cup of tea? tree →
• Grandma puts milk in her tea. tree →
• What's for tea tonight, Mum? (UK) tree →
• Keep hot tea away from the baby. tree →
• Sugar dissolves quickly in hot tea. tree →
• We had afternoon tea with scones and jam. tree →
• In summer, my aunt drinks iced tea. tree →
• Tea leaves come from a plant grown in hot, wet places. tree →
• She gimme back rashuns er sassafac tea. tree →

Note

Uncountable for the drink (some tea), but «two teas» means two cups. «Tea» meaning dinner is common in the north of England, Scotland, Ireland, Australia and New Zealand. Do not confuse with «tee» (a peg in golf) or the letter «T». Many teas contain caffeine.