Fairmont Hotels & Resorts has unveiled a first-of-its-kind etiquette guide to drinking tea, an act that is seen as a sign of good hospitality and one that fits perfectly with the Emirati culture.

In the UAE, tea is second only to water as the most consumed drink, according to one recent industry report, with close to 20,000kg of tea consumed in the emirates daily.

“The Middle East has historic links to tea, and in the modern day we see people from all walks of life and of all ages really enjoying this wonderful drink – whether it is with friends and family or simply enjoying a relaxing cup on their own in the afternoon,” said Mike Taylor, part of the communications team at Fairmont Hotels & Resorts- the brand behind the creation of the etiquette guide.

There is much that divides nations, that separates cultures, but afternoon tea brings people together and emphasises those traditions we share.

“Afternoon tea is a worldwide institution and a tradition that Fairmont seeks to take to as many people as possible,” Taylor said.

“We looked at the information on tea, from facts and figures to etiquette, that was available in Arabic and decided to help spread the message even further. Researching and designing this tea guide was great fun for everyone involved and we hope to convert as many people as possible to tea and educate those who already drink it even more,” he said.

The etiquette guide explains the do’s and don’ts of tea drinking, specifically why the milk should be added before the tea, how to hold the cup and why you should never hold the body of the cup in the palm of your hand. - TradeArabia News Service