Types of English tea
Let’s take a look at the different blends of English tea and find out about the history of the famous classic drink; let’s learn to make tea the English way and delve into the atmosphere of the traditional British tea-party!
We review the types of English tea, learn its history and how to brew tea as in England, immersing ourselves in the British tea drinking traditions.
Times, generations, fashions, language and art - everything changes. The English tradition of drinking tea up to six times a day remains constant. English tea is the cultural code of the nation, a symbol of Albion along with Big Ben, Monty Python, the Liverpool Four or Queen Elizabeth.
Despite the fact that the British themselves do not grow tea, the drink is extremely popular in the country: on average, annual per capita supply of 2 kilograms of dried tea. This level of consumption is one of the highest in the world.
The English drink morning tea twice, which is believed to make the day successful: the first cup - at about six or seven in the morning, the second - an hour or two later during breakfast and invariably with milk. This tea is empowering and helps to wake you up.
The third tea is at noon, during lunch: with cookies, muffins, tarte tatin, cookies or jam. It's a great midday snacking option. Next, in a little while, comes the tea break - not a tea party in the traditional meaning, but a break.
The highlight of the program, which made English tea parties famous around the world, is five o'clock. The main participant of this ceremony is a drink rich in cream or milk, or vice versa, flavored with a slice of lemon to taste, yet in either way - thick, tart, draughty, rich, strong, enveloping, inspiring. It should be enjoyed slowly, savoring each sip.
A wonderful ending to any day is the sixth tea, high tea, a favorite of aristocrats. It is consumed at around seven or eight o'clock in the evening. With the final cup, it is good to discuss with loved ones the past day or, on the contrary, to retreat with a favorite book and devote time to relaxation.
Here are the types of English tea that are most nationally recognized:
-
Ceylon tea;
-
Kenyan tea;
-
English Breakfast;
-
Earl Grey;
-
green tea.
Ceylon Tea
On the island of Ceylon, now called Sri Lanka, mainly coffee and cinnamon were originally cultivated. By the mid-19th century, coffee plantations had been lost and the sale of cinnamon was minimized, not bringing in the expected revenues. At the same time, British colonists appeared on the island. The opium wars that Great Britain was engaged in at this time against the Qing Empire led to the termination of tea supplies, so the plant continued to be cultivated in Ceylon, a territory with a suitable climate and large areas of free land. That's how the British got their own plantations. The development of industry, transportation, and economy resulted in increased trade routes, and tea shipments to England increased substantially compared to the “Chinese” era.
Nowadays, the tea is grown on several plantations in Sri Lanka. The tea strength of different varieties depends on the soil characteristics: the “deepest” teas are “Ruhuna”, “Kandy” and “Dimbula”, “Uva” and “Uda Pusselava” have medium density, and the “Nuwara Eliya” elite tea has a mild flavor and low density - it is one of the rarest and the most expensive of all the teas drunk in England and is preferred by gourmets and collectors.
There are no secret rules for brewing Ceylon tea. Here's a well-known principle: tea, preferably loose tea, should be brewed at a temperature of at least 94 degrees Celsius. The drink infuses in five to seven minutes. It is more commonly drunk hot, but some varieties - “Uva” or “Kandy” - are worth trying when chilled.
Velvety and refined, RICHARD® Royal Ceylon black tea is astringent and full-bodied. This drink energizes and invigorates.
Kenyan Tea
The British established settler colonies on Kenyan lands by the end of the 19th century follow in the footsteps of the Christian missionaries. The colonizers began to develop infrastructure, communications, roads and agriculture in East Africa - in particular, they had set out tea plantations near Nairobi.
Kenya gained independence in the second half of the twentieth century. Since then, the country has developed its own industry, and tea covers approximately one-fifth of its total exports.
Kenyan non-brick tea is globally considered one of the strongest. The drink has a thick, bright, tart, refined and delicate flavor with a sweetish aftertaste. The tea aroma is subtle, fresh and fruity with pronounced floral notes. A slice of lemon will add a pleasant sourness to your RICHARD® Royal Kenya. The softer drinks lovers should add milk or cream to their cup.
English Breakfast
One of the most popular and well-loved teas by the British is the English Breakfast. The drink is not native to England - it is a blend of Indian, Ceylon and Kenyan tea.
The cultural fusion has produced a balanced drink that is soft, golden, and tonic - for breakfast it really couldn't be better. Today, it is one of the most widely recognized teas in the world.
A morning tea time in England invariably begins with a little preparation. To brew a real English breakfast drink you need to rinse the kettle with boiling water, add Breakfast dry tea, pour hot water and cover the pot with a napkin to make the tea rich and strong. Milk, an invariable attribute of English morning tea drinking, will soften its flavor. The only thing that remains is to serve toast with jam and get back to the interminable controversy: whether one should have sugar with English Breakfast.
Earl Grey
What variety of tea is enjoyed in England at any time of the day? The tea which gained fame on all continents due to its unique, unlike anything else bergamot aroma is the famous “Grey Earl”, or “Earl Grey”.
The origin of tea remains a mystery to researchers until now. Most historians see eye to eye on the fact that the fragrant beverage owes its name to Charles Gray, the British prime minister in the 1830s, and the development of England's economic ties during the same period. According to the most popular and romantic version, a ship ferrying English tea and bergamot oil got caught in a storm. The glass smashed, and the bags soaked up the fragrant liquid. The sailors dried the tea, brewed it, and the flavor won their hearts.
RICHARD® Earl Grey is a bouquet of Ceylon tea with a tart bergamot flavor and a subtle citrus trail, the fresh, soft refined and aromatic drink relieves fatigue and tones you up.
Green Tea
The popularity of green tea in Western countries grew in the late twentieth century, with England being no exception. The minimally fermented beverage has proven to be an excellent antioxidant, and has appealed to health advocates due to its beneficial properties. Various studies conducted by the medical community have proven the beneficial health effects of green tea: it reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease, endocrine diseases and tumors. The drink is distinguished by its subtle and refined flavor. This RICHARD® line features classic green teas as well as teas with jasmine and balm gentle flavors.
Black or green, English tea is worldwide example of faithful service to national traditions and a symbol of eternal immutable values. To a genuine Englishman, tea is not just a beverage: it's a way of life.
