East Frisian Tea

Ingredients

• >½ liter (2 cups) per person of boiling water, soft if possible
• 2 tbsp per liter of water of loose black tea leaves, plus 1 more teaspoon "for the pot"
• 1 piece per person of rock sugar, locally called kluntjes
• 1 tsp per serving of cream

Method

1. Rinse out the teapot with boiling water to warm it. Pour the water out, then add the tea leaves.
2. Fill the pot halfway with water that has cooled slightly from the boiling point.
3. Put the lid on the teapot and allow the tea to steep for 3–4 minutes.
4. Add the rest of the water.
5. Place one piece of rock sugar into each cup.
6. Pour the tea through a strainer into the cups. The rock sugar will start to crackle in the hot liquid.
7. Using a cream spoon (shaped like a teaspoon-sized ladle) or teaspoon, gently lower a spoonful of cream into the tea so that it forms a "cloud". Do not stir the tea.