The Dutch established the first East India Company before rival companies were founded and was the most prosperous throughout the 16th century. While in neighbouring countries, religious and political expulsions were taking place, the Netherlands on the other hand, welcomed them. By granting other nations asylum the Netherlands gained new expertise in commerce, financing, trade to add to their already strong government.
The VOC was the first to bring green tea from Japan. Importing tea from both China and Japan promoted it successfully under the trade name Orange Pekoe. Pekoe for the corruption of the word Bai Hao meaning white tip. The white tip was a superior quality and the name Orange in honour of the House of Orange.
The introduction of tea into Europe was widely accepted and spread through Europe and England. Initially, there was a resistance in the Netherlands who were a coffee drinking nation.
Both coffee and tea are now sought-after in the Netherlands. Nowadays there is a great variety of herbal teas on the shelves as well.
The Dutch do not steep their tea as dark as their neighbours across the channel and therefore do not need milk to reduce the tannin taste. The British have several ways to pour tea. Some claim the milk must go in first; others say the other way around. Steeping of the tea seems to be important also.
The Dutch have solved that debate by serving their tea with a "stroopwafel", a thin crispy waffle sandwich with a syrup centre. It is large enough to cover the top of the teacup and when placed on top, softens the waffle and its filling.
With all the trading with the Far East, the Netherlands had a great variety of spices which found their way into cooking, cheesemaking and baking. The favourite and very common are the windmill cookies, crisp and tasty and seems to go well with coffee and tea.
No comments:
Post a Comment