English tea drinking: history and traditions
The English tea drinking is one of the most famous ceremonies, a symbol of Great Britain along with the Royal Family, the Tower and the Thames. In Albion it is popular to drink tea with milk, lemon or - in the Devonshire way - with cream.
A century and a half ago, only upper classes of European society could enjoy a dense, strong, amber-golden drink. Nowadays, tea is famous and popular in all countries: it is not just widespread - it has become a favorite of millions. The British set the pace: the whole world knows how the British drink tea.
How tea originated in England
It was not England that made the discovery, Portugal and Holland were the first ones importing dried tea from the East to the West. This was possible thanks to the era of great geographical discoveries and, consequently, the expansion of trade relations.
The history of tea drinking in England dates back to the middle of the 17th century. It is known for a fact that the drink's spreading was owed to Thomas Garraway, the owner of one of the first tea and coffee shops in Albion. Garraway relied on the rapid spread of the printing press and people’s desire to take care of their health; and he was right. He published an advertisement in a London newspaper in which he called tea a cure for many ailments, and the local public reached for the new remedy. People of low income could not afford the new product, so at first tea traditions in England originated in the aristocratic households. However, before that, it gained popularity in English coffee houses.
Men's clubs, princess and high society tea parties
Coffee appeared in England much earlier than tea, and places where people could exchange the latest news with politicians, merchants, people of art, clergymen quickly gained popularity. In coffee houses, with a cup of flavored drink, deals were made, intrigues were spun, managerial issues were solved. After the coffee, the establishment owners started selling tea, which quickly gained fame as a beverage lighter and, of course, healthier than coffee.
The gender issue had a significant impact on the further tea distribution. By the end of the 17th century, most coffee houses had become private men's clubs - women were not permitted to enter.
The wife of King Charles II Stuart, the Portuguese princess Catherine of Braganza, managed to change this rule. She shattered the entrenched view of tea as a medicinal remedy and brought the drink into the homes of the aristocracy - especially among the ladies. While the men sipped coffee or strong drinks after dinner, the ladies gathered in the living rooms for a cup of tea.
Gradually, tea went from being a guest beverage to a home beverage. It was loved so much that after a few years, it became possible to buy the tea in the market. Regular supplies of dry tea were provided by the East India Company. As economic ties continued to develop, they only increased and demands grew.
Famous traditions: English breakfast and five o`clock
The love of tea, which strengthened year by year, has given rise to a number of traditions. In order to enjoy the flavorful drink, the table was set, beautiful tableware was used - the keepers of national traditions do it even now. By the way, it was the British who invented tea cups: they looked at the Chinese way of drinking from drinking bowls and added handles so as not to burn their hands.
The canonic English morning tea involves two cups of tea: the first is drunk around six, the second a few hours later. The drink should be strong, dense and rich - in short, it should set the tone for the upcoming day. RICHARD® Royal English Breakfast, a blend of Kenyan, Indian and Ceylon teas, is the best choice for the English breakfast.
Another ceremony made England the tea queen of the world. It is the afternoon tea known as five o`clock. This process owes its appearance to Anne, the Duchess of Bedford. In the early 19th century, breakfasts were not very hearty, and Anna noticed that she was hungry and couldn't wait for dinner. So she told the servants to set up at five o`clock in the evening and bring her tea along with light snacks like muffins or cookies. This tea tradition quickly spread to the upper classes of England and then began to spread to the mainstream population of the country. Today, five o`clock is a popular and fashionable custom that still remains a symbol of the country: evening tea parties were favored by Queen Elizabeth and are very popular in high society. In many families of modern England, five o`clock is gathered on the occasion of meetings with relatives and friends to beautifully spend the leisure hours. Afternoon tea is served with sandwiches, scones or treats. This drink does not tolerate rush: it should be enjoyed savoring each sip, it relaxes and soothes. The perfect choice is RICHARD®: English Classic Black Tea or English Black Tea from the Classic Black Teas collection with orange and cinnamon, thyme and rosemary, kaffir lime and English mint, jasmine.
How to brew tea in the English way
The concept of tea ceremony is characteristic of Eastern rather than Western countries. In England there is no strict canon, and the British do not follow the rules established by themselves so scrupulously as they did in the 18th and 19th centuries. Nevertheless, the basic principles of tea ceremony preparation remain unchanged.
In English households it is considered good manners to offer guests several varieties of tea to choose from - black, green and fruit. Once guests have taken their seats and made their selections, the host can begin brewing drinks.
During a tea ceremony in England, they use pre-heated tableware. The tea should be brewed for five to seven minutes. This is the recommended and proven time: if the brewing time is less, the tea will not have the right strength, and if you keep it for too long, it will be inappropriately bitter.
The made drink is not mixed with boiling water, as in many other countries, therefore it is necessary to prepare so much tea that there is enough for everyone. Using spent brew is against the rules of propriety. If the ceremony participants use tea bags, an individual one should be placed in each cup; it should be removed before drinking. In the debate about which is better – loose-leaf tea or tea bags - winners all around: RICHARD® produces tea in any of these forms, and you should choose the one that is equally convenient for the host and the guests.
It is best to drink English tea from porcelain dishes. The drink should be consumed fresh: tea that has been left untouched for more than a quarter of an hour is better to be poured out. However, it is impossible to refrain from taking at least a sip of the aromatic, tangy drink.
Lemon, milk and sugar: what the British drink tea with
There are many spices and supplements that can be used to flavor the tea. The classic tea ceremony in England assumes three basic ingredients: milk, lemon, and sugar.
Milk is always served in a separate gravy dish. It shouldn't be cold. Pour a little milk in the bottom of the cup, and add the brewed tea on top. If desired, you may use cream instead of milk: tea with cream is called Devonshire tea.
It is impossible to spoil English tea with milk - it adds depth and richness to the drink, and gives tea drinking a home comfort. A second helping is only inappropriate when drinking with lemon. Tea with lemon is sometimes called “Russian tea” in England. It is recommended to be drunk without sugar. The controversy surrounding the sweetening of the drink continues unabated, but the most popular and correct opinion is that adding sugar is purely a matter of taste.
Regardless of the supplements, appetizers, dishes that are served for the ceremony, tea was and remains the main ingredient. The English tea party is a tribute to the country's history, its pride, one of the main symbols of culture and a symbol of loyalty to the traditions.
