That is probably the most famous Kelly kettle out there and part of fishing folklore with its appearance in a passion for angling. A priceless bit of angling history 👌.
"Milk in first" comes from the days when they used bone china cups. If you poured boiling water in, you'd crack the cup. The milk lowered the temperature to a safe level. "Milk in last" was when you allowed the tea to cool enough and the milk went in to bring the tea to a more pleasing colour.
Chris' discovery, at an early age, of the fundamental truth that "man was born to fish" certainly struck a chord with me. Have read every book of his I've been able to find. 5*!
Balanced a scotch egg ony knee the other day whilst reaching for my tea when the tip went round! As i striked i heard 'plop' and my lunch had rolled off me old knee into the lake... Who knows a big carp might have gobbled it down..the lucky whatsits
Still have my battered, burnt and bruised Kelly - in a battered Wychwood bag and loaded with Earl Grey - a gift given to the world, invented in Northumberland, plus regular Tea for guests. Kelly was/is essential when fishing on Lough Mask where, when the smoke changed and the steam came out the comment was always 'We have a Pope' ! I have a few stories with good friends Greg O'Donaghue and Paul Losher on the Lough - Happy Memories!
Tea always tastes best outdoors. I would take issue with one point though. Always give the pot a stir before pouring to get the full flavour and for me you can't beat a bit of Assam or English Breakfast blend. Cheers !
I've been a member of the KellyKettle club since the first time I watched APFA.. There just magic things and the flames can keep you warm in winter at the same time.
used kitchen roll tube stuffed with kindling veg oil and old newspaper light the end of the tube and drop it down the kettle,,,,Boom premade and fast boil.
I agree with you wholeheartedly WowHeCantFeesch, i've read all his books too but surely he should be using blue top milk....full fat is the way to go Chris in this world where everything is shrinking....don't worry about the fat, you'll walk that off:)
But how so? Boiling water is boiling water. How can the way in which the water is boiled have an effect on the tea? Sure, its romantic and rustic, but it cant possibly have an effect on the taste of the tea. I bet given tea made with hot water from a Kelly and hot water from a standard kettle, you would never know the difference.
The only thing i can think of is the fact its probably made with bottled water as opposed to tap, and it's probably heated to a higher heat. But i'm sure he was referring to the occasion rather than the taste.
Its the fact you are outside either camping or by a river, having or in the process of fishing, so stopping to make a cup of tea rather than a flask is something that you either get or not. I am not allowed to make a camp fire so a kelly kettle allows me to have water bolied by fire. In reality the tea is tea but in your mind it feels it has the edge, perhaps your senses are heighten by a primitive memory of being is the beauty of nature. I am sure any tea you make in your house may have that effect on you after all we are all different and like so many other things. I thank you for prompting a thought on how tea may taste. Kind regards. MfT
+Minister for Tea Like I said, I totally get the romance. Scientifically hot water is hot water unless you add something to that hot water (not including the tea itself!) Like many things in angling, the romance of activities is sadly dissapearing. I remember waking up well before sunrise on the 16th of June, boiling tea for the flask, tea for breakfast and a tea to take up to my bleary eyes father who was expedition leader before I got a car. The whole ceremony of early starts, packing the gear while the kitchen hummed with the smell of freshly cooked hemp (before the oh so handy jars) and the anticipation of a days fishing (for any species) will forever be etched into my brain. life moves on and things change. So, as I say, I get the romance of a Kelly kettle! Good luck in whatever you do. 😉
+Mathieu I thank you for your reply, sounds like you have a very happy memory there! Catching perch always makes me think of my grandfather and a little split cane rod he made, as so introducing me to the world of angling. I still like my tea from a china cup or made by a fire. You are right boiling water is boiling water although the colour of peat I have had from streams has made me think otherwise at times. ;-) and good luck in whatever you do too, good sir.
yes proper tea none of the bags of tea dust and of course spot on the milk always goes in first HOWEVER you did make one HUGE MISTAKE you never warmed the pot first ?? surprised at that basic mistake !!
Milk before tea isn't the way we do it up north, the story is southern ceramics were more prone to shattering with boiling water, and the milk cooled it sufficiently. One unforgivable habit that seems confined to the south, is putting a tea bag in cold milk while the kettle boils. Absolutely disgusting : /
I'm in the midlands and it's water in with the bag and then milk but Chris did actually add water to the teapot but milk in the mug first so he had brewed the yes properly first
