Dear Mount Barker Council
This is a difficult letter for me to write. Mainly because of etiquette or a sense of fairness.
You see, this is an open letter. As well as writing it to you, I am publishing it on my blog “The Devotea’s Tea Spouts” at teatra.de , possibly the world’s most influential site of its kind.
I want to talk to you about tea.
That’s not surprising, I talk about tea a lot. But specifically about tea being served within the aegis of the District Council of Mount Barker.
You see, I found myself in Hahndorf last week, and found myself there 30 minutes early. So I wandered the Main Street, seeking a decent cup of tea.
I went into a cafe that I used to frequent. I should mention that I lived in your Council district from 1992 until 2001. So I do have some old haunts, but many of them have changed hands.
To my surprise, I was offered tea produced from a tea bag. Now I don’t expect you, or indeed the cafe owner to know that I do not partake of teabags. Or indeed, that in a recent video blog, I referred to any café owners who serve such fare as “a thief, charlatan, or fool, and possibly all three”. And of course, a cafe has a right to serve anything they like, within reason. I mean, I’m not suggesting that teabags will actually kill you. Simply that it’s no way to get my patronage.
What was absolutely amazing, though, was the excuse given. I thought I’d heard them all. But apparently not.
The cafe owner informed me that The District Council of Mount Barker did not allow loose leaf tea to be made in a teapot by food and beverage outlets.
I was astonished. The reason apparently, was that “old tea leaves get stuck in the spout.”
Now, just on that point- hogwash! The teapots in question- I inspected them- usually come with a fine mesh strainer and a clear spout of about 6mm in diameter. I’d love to see the science that shows a tea leaf can be small enough to get through the fine mesh strainer but then clogs a 6mm hole.
Back to the main point.
I found the story so unlikely, so astonishing, that I came to the conclusion that the café owner was, not to put too fine a point on it, lying through his teeth. So, it’s over to you.
Can you assure me that the District Council of Mount Barker does not have in place regulation, by-laws or any other instrument that prevents the serving of quality tea, in a teapot, in food and beverage outlets?
I’m keen to know. And I think many of the people who read my blog will be keen to know. Not because they are ever likely to venture into the Adelaide Hills from Chicago or Basildon, Barcelona or Poing, but because if this turns out to be true, they will no doubt be prepared to storm the offices of their local authorities, demanding that such a ban never be countenanced.
So I await your response with keen interest.
Regards
Robert Godden
You may email me at the supplied address or post a reply directly to my blog if you prefer.
Wow, that is fascinating. I’ve never heard that excuse before. The cafe owner/mouth-breather may be correct if dealing with rooibos or small-cut sencha…but how many people request that in Adelaide?
Charlatan indeed…
There is nothing better than a civic-minded citizen doing his duty by taking up loud protests against senseless and useless legislation.
Bravo!
Ha ha, hilarious Robert. Oh, wait – maybe that was the wrong thing to say. A tragedy of course, what’s wrong with these people? Still, it’s not often that something so awful, makes me giggle.
Of course one of the most memorable lines, a classic so to speak was: “teatra.de , possibly the world’s most influential site of its kind.” It is with pleasure I note that you Robert are now Tea Tra.de’s “Chief Australian Blogger with added Distinction.”
Take note world: The Devotea is coming! And he doesn’t take: “No loose leaf” for an answer.
Brilliant stuff,
J.
PS: Here’s a view of “Hahndorf Main Street” by “Cimexus” on Flickr:
36 Hours, still no response. It’s moving from conspiracy to cover-up!
And Here’s the reply:
Hello Robert,
Thank you for your email regarding your question over the serving of tea in the District Council of Mount Barker.
There are no rules or regulations enforced by the District Council of Mount Barker in relation to the serving of loose leaf tea.
Council Environmental Health Officers perform scheduled (unanounced) inspections of food premises within the Council area to ensure compliance with The Food Act and the Food Safety Standards, both pieces of legislation primarily relate to ensuring that food for sale is safe, that food handlers observe their health and hygiene requirements and that the fit out of a food premises is suitable.
If you have any further questions please feel to contact me.
Regards
Jamie Tann
Environmental Health Officer
District Council of Mount Barker
Well, that’s good news. Sort of.
As to the owner of that cafe, I guess what he really means is; he can’t be bothered to clean out any loose leaves. But look at it this way, what incredibly quick thinking. Put on the spot, he immediately whipped up an excuse thus far unheard of. What imagination must the fellow have? With one outrageous statement, he sent ripples, no tidal waves through the tea world. Well, Tea Trade. Same thing I suppose.
What’s your next tactical step Robert? Are you going to nail this letter to the door of that “establishment”? No doubt action will be taken.
Awaiting further developments with bated breath,
J.
I’m considering outing him as the perpetrator of this outrageous lie.
Or turning up with some good tea and educating him.
I would hate to be that shop owner and see you darken my door once again.
The reeducation of Mount Barker, indeed.
Ha! I bet the place has closed and the guy’s on the run already!