British Tea Culture
“Fancy a cuppa?”
This means “Would you like a cup of tea?” It's often the first thing you will be asked if you go to someone's house in Britain. We are a nation of tea lovers. We enjoy coffee too, but not as much as Americans or people in other European countries.
Since the 18th century the United Kingdom has been one of the world's greatest tea consumers. The British Empire was instrumental in spreading tea from China to India; British interests controlled tea production. Tea, which was originally an upper-class drink, became a drink for everyone in Great Britain in the course of the 18th century and has remained so ever since.
Unless you are asked which specific kind of tea you would like, you will usually be given the standard English Breakfast tea. This usually comes with milk and the option of sugar. This is referred to as 'builders' tea'. It takes its name from the inexpensive tea commonly drunk by labourers taking a break. A builder's tea is typically brewed in a mug with a teabag and milk and sugar is added. This is very typical in Britain, with many people drinking several cups per day. The first one is usually drunk when waking up in the morning and several throughout the day on 'tea breaks'. It is commonly served with a biscuit, a slice of cake or a sandwich.
How to brew your tea:
Firstly, water is boiled in a kettle. If it is a group or formal occasion, a teapot may be used. Next, several teabags, or some loose tea, are put in the teapot. Water is then poured on top and the tea is left to brew. If the tea is for just one person, or if it's an informal setting, mugs are used for each person. A tea bag is added to each mug and water added. Tea is allowed to brew for 2 to 5 minutes. A tea strainer is placed over the top of the cup and the tea poured in, unless tea bags are used. Tea bags may be removed, if desired, once desired strength is attained. Nice cups and saucers may be used with the teapot if the occasion is more formal. They may all match and this is referred to as a tea set or tea service. Fresh milk and white sugar are added, usually by the guest, with a teaspoon. Most people have milk with their tea, many without sugar. A tea cosy may be placed over the remaining tea in the pot to keep it warm.
Different types of tea:
People use either loose-leaf tea and strain it, or tea bags. Tea bags are very common. There are four main types of teas: black, green, oolong and white. Black tea is by far the most popular in Britain. Green tea is becoming popular too with some people, but black tea is the standard. These teas usually contain caffeine. There are also 'infusions'. These can be herbal and or fruit based, they are caffeine free and have some great health benefits. These can be great for the evenings, when you don't want caffeine before bedtime. The most popular black tea in Britain is English Breakfast, followed by Earl Grey, which has aromatic bergamot. Lady Grey is a slightly more citric version. Irish Breakfast tea is a slightly stronger version of the standard black tea.
Iced tea is not common in Britain. British people drink hot tea even in hot weather (well, there is not a lot of hot weather in Britain!). In America, iced tea is the standard. American people often have to specify 'hot tea please'. In Britain, tea is served hot.
Tea Parties
This is a gathering of family and friends, perhaps for a birthday or other occasion. People are served tea and a table is usually laid out with a selection of cold snacks, biscuits, and cake. Children often play at tea parties with their toys and plastic toy tea sets. In the book Alice's Adventure in Wonderland, written by C.S. Lewis, Alice attends "A Mad Tea-Party". She becomes a guest at a tea party along with the March Hare, the Hatter, and a sleeping Dormouse who remains asleep for most of the chapter. The Hatter reveals that they have tea all day because time has punished him by eternally standing still at 6 pm (tea time). Alice becomes insulted and tired of being bombarded with riddles and she leaves claiming that it was the stupidest tea party that she had ever been to.
“You can never get a cup of tea large enough or a book long enough to suit me.”
― C.S. Lewis
Afternoon Tea
Traditionally, loose tea served in a teapot with milk and sugar, accompanied by various sandwiches (customarily cucumber, egg and cress, tuna, ham, and smoked salmon), scones (with butter, clotted cream and jam) and usually cakes and pastries. Traditionally, the tea and food would be served on a lounge (or low) table. While afternoon tea used to be an everyday event, nowadays it is more likely to be a treat in a hotel, café, or tea shop, although many Britons still have a cup of tea and slice of cake or chocolate at teatime. Many hotels now market and promote afternoon teas.
Cream Tea
This is smaller than a full afternoon tea. It usually consists of tea, a scone, butter, clotted cream and jam. It is still common today in cafes, teashops and hotels.
Tea as the answer
Many British people love to 'catch up over a cuppa'. It is a social activity. 'Come over for a cup of tea'. For many British people, making tea can soothe many situations which are stressful, tiring or upsetting.
Here are some quotes about tea being the solution to many problems:
“In Britain, a cup of tea is the answer to every problem.
Fallen off your bicycle? Nice cup of tea.
Your house has been destroyed by a meteorite? Nice cup of tea and a biscuit.
Your entire family has been eaten by a Tyrannosaurus Rex that has travelled through a space/time portal? Nice cup of tea and a piece of cake. Possibly a savoury option would be welcome here too, for example a Scotch egg or a sausage roll.”
― David Walliams, Mr Stink
“If you are cold, tea will warm you;
if you are too heated, it will cool you;
If you are depressed, it will cheer you;
If you are excited, it will calm you.”
― William Ewart Gladstone
“As far as her mum was concerned, tea fixed everything. Have a cold? Have some tea. Broken bones? There's a tea for that too. Somewhere in her mother's pantry, Laurel suspected, was a box of tea that said, 'In case of Armageddon, steep three to five minutes'.”
― Aprilynne Pike, Illusions
Have you been to Britain and experienced this tea culture? How does British tea culture differ from that of your country or a country you've visited? Please comment below.
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