AT Sully U3A's March meeting David J Tovey entertained 80 plus members with his talk: For all the tea in China – an insight into tea.

Four years ago the lure of tea overtook the mundane business of IT and Finance and David, a purveyor of fine loose-leaf tea and tea paraphernalia, set up Monteas in Monmouth.

Were you aware that tea is not just for drinking? The leaves can be used for many things such as absorbing excess moisture from a room and clear unwanted smells from the fridge, right through to stuffing your pillow with dried tea leaves.

According to Chinese folk medicine this last use helps reduce blood pressure, relieves insomnia and soothes headache.

Throughout the 40-minute talk David kept the audience on their toes and asked several questions with prizes of tea samples to the winners.

The first question, what tea is in Long Island Iced Tea? Was met with many queried looks, only one member of the audience correctly stated none - it is a cocktail.

David gave a potted history of tea, introduced members to today’s six varieties of tea, their properties and their health benefits, grades of tea and modern tea drinking habits: loose-leaf tea versus tea bags.

Members were advised to drink at least three cups a day to maximise most benefits and were instructed on the correct way to make a good pot of tea.

Finally David talked about tea paraphernalia and produced a large handbag style tea cosy.

Nestling inside it was a small pink teapot from which David produced the proverbial rabbit to the audience’s amusement. Questions and answers followed.

David provide a raffle prize which Sully U3A will keep for their June meeting – the AGM followed by First World War entertainment provided by members and tea and cake.

Sully U3A meets on the second Thursday of the month in The Old School, Sully at 2pm. The speaker on April 9 will be from Valeways whose theme will be Walk, Talk, Explore, Exercise.