At around 14:22 this afternoon, I sat at my computer with a freshly made cup of tea. This was maybe my sixth cup of the day, which is nothing unusual as I do drink a fair amount of tea. I also drink from a pint-sized mug, so I probably drink too much tea...if that's possible.

I've been a tea drinker since I was a kid, having a cup whenever my father did.

It's always made the same way, and this cup was no different; Two teabags (PG Tips 'The Strong One'), two sugars, milk. Perfect.

As I took my first sip, there came a knock at the door. I was surprised and a little perplexed to be greeted by a Royal Mail delivery driver. All confusion was quickly replaced with a burning anticipation the second I saw a certain alien drawn on the packaging.

Slamming the door in the face of the delivery driver as politely as possible, I almost tore the box open there and then, only just remembering to get my camera first.

Inside the box I found a hand-written letter from my anonymous gifter, a classy cup depicting various ladnmarks from around York, and a packet of Darjeeling loose leaf black tea.

Woah, woah, woah....what? Darjeeling? Loose leaf? Was I really ready to have my horizons broadened like this?

I certainly wasn't prepared for it, that's for sure. Did I even have a teapot? It turns out that I did, tucked away at the back of the cupboard waiting for its chance to help refresh me.

The teapot excitedly leapt into my hands as the kettle boiled away merrily. Carefully, I prepared the teapot as per the instructions on the packet, added the water, and waited.

Three to four minutes later, I was ready to find out how my new cup handled...but lacked a strainer. Not to be beaten, and in a show of the high level of class I am accustomed to, I fashioned one from a sandwich bag pierced with a knife.

With my black, sugarless, milkless tea in hand, I sat back at my computer, looked at the dejected cup of PG Tips that I'd long forgoteen about, and bravely took my first sip of this strange new brew.

I think I may have become slightly upper-middle class at that point (my sandwich bag strainer a now distant disgraceful memory).

Much to the dismay of my previously discarded tea, I was pleasantly surprised with the Darjeeling. How much of the flavour can be attributed to the classy cup, I'm unsure of.

After twenty-plus years of tea drinking, this gift changes everything. Now I want to know what other wonderful brews I've been missing out on.

I have a new mission: taste ALL the teas!

..

Anonymous redditor from York, who has an Indian background and fine taste, thank you for your thoughtful and delightful gift. You've certainly opened the eyes of a previously blinkered tea drinker.