Using Silver Service for Tea?

[hopeofdawn]

This might be a bit of an odd question, but I was wondering if anyone here had any experience using an English-style silver service when brewing tea?

My basic problem is this: I have a silverplate coffee/tea service that I inherited from my grandmother (teapot, creamer and sugar pots, plus tray and whatnot). However, since I don't generally have large groups of people over for white-gloved English-style tea, I'm trying to figure out whether it would be possible to incorporate these pieces into my normal tea routine, rather than just having them sit on a shelf collecting dust (and tarnish!).

The ideas I've come up with so far is using the teapot as a substitute tetsubin/kettle, to keep my water warm while still brewing in my usual (smaller) pots/houhin. And/or perhaps using the creamer pitcher as a faircup. But I'm not sure how much the silverplate might change the taste of the water/brewed tea, especially for the lighter greens and oolongs. OTOH, I've heard of silver tetsubin, which seem to be highly prized for enhancing the taste of water.

Any thoughts? Anyone out there using silver tableware for anything other than English-style black tea?

[MarshalN]

You should try using the creamer as a fairness cup first and see what happens. Worst thing that can happen is you don't like it, in which case you stop doing it. It won't hurt. Do warm the creamer with hot water first -- see below.

Using the teapot as a water vessel is not going to work -- silver transmits heat very quickly and well, and the water will cool VERY fast if there's no heat applied to the teapot.

[hopeofdawn]

You should try using the creamer as a fairness cup first and see what happens. Worst thing that can happen is you don't like it, in which case you stop doing it. It won't hurt. Do warm the creamer with hot water first -- see below.

Using the teapot as a water vessel is not going to work -- silver transmits heat very quickly and well, and the water will cool VERY fast if there's no heat applied to the teapot.

Thanks! I'll definitely try the creamer idea ... guess I'll just have to figure out something else to do with the other pieces. Honestly, I can see why people don't use silver much anymore ... it's such a pain to take care of!

[tortoise]

You should try using the creamer as a fairness cup first and see what happens. Worst thing that can happen is you don't like it, in which case you stop doing it. It won't hurt. Do warm the creamer with hot water first -- see below.

Using the teapot as a water vessel is not going to work -- silver transmits heat very quickly and well, and the water will cool VERY fast if there's no heat applied to the teapot.

Thanks! I'll definitely try the creamer idea ... guess I'll just have to figure out something else to do with the other pieces. Honestly, I can see why people don't use silver much anymore ... it's such a pain to take care of!

That's all true, but I still really like looking at those service sets. I would be tempted to brew black tea -- English style -- in them if I owned one. My GM has a silver dish thing that I am dying to use as a teaboat. It's just the right size.

She never uses her silver tea service and when I suggested it, you'd have thought I was asking a fish to ride a bicycle. Tea does not go with Silver Tea Service, apparently.

[hopeofdawn]

She never uses her silver tea service and when I suggested it, you'd have thought I was asking a fish to ride a bicycle. Tea does not go with Silver Tea Service, apparently.

Considering that the only time I ever see silver service used these days is in specialty tea-houses/restaurants for afternoon or high English teas, I find that very amusing! Ah, how things change ....

I did try using the creamer pitcher as a fairness cup, and it seemed to work pretty well--no icky metallic taste in my pu-erh, anyway. I like your idea of the dish as a tea boat--I have a covered dish thingie that I might try for that as well!

[MarshalN]

If it's sterling silver it shouldn't have a metallic taste. That's from stainless steel, not silver. Silver should make your water a bit sweeter. Try running a cup of water through the creamer and see if you sense any changes