Tea in the UK is not just a popular drink, it is part of the culture. Drinking this beverage is ingrained so deeply that it reveals different aspects of British society and cultural history. From the daily afternoon tea at a winner casino game to ‘builder’s tea’, this famous drink is woven into the country’s national rituals, traditions and social fabric. This article will tell you how British tea drinking rituals originated and how they continue to influence the country’s cultural and social norms.
The Arrival of Tea in Britain
Samuel Pepys, a famous English diary writer, mentioned tea in his entry dated 25 September 1660, which is one of the earliest references to tea in English literature. It was a new exotic luxury item.
Tea was first introduced to the British Isles in the 17th century, which began the relationship between Britain and tea. It was Catherine of Braganza, wife of King Charles II, an avid tea drinker, who can be credited with raising the status of tea to a fashionable beverage.
At first, however, the exotic beverage was a luxury item due to high import taxes. It catered to the tastes of the aristocracy and the wealthy. By the 18th century, tea was becoming increasingly popular among the middle class, and after excise taxes were reduced in 1784 by Prime Minister William Pitt the Younger, tea consumption spread to the wider population.
This led to the establishment of the first tea shops, making the drink available to a wider public.
Tea and the British Empire
As the British Empire expanded, so did the nation’s craving for tea, which was mainly imported from China. The British East India Company played a significant role in the tea trade, and by 1800 tea had replaced ale as the national drink.
Interestingly, the British desire to balance their trade deficit with China led to the Opium Wars in the mid-19th century. After these conflicts, the Crown took possession of Hong Kong and the right to trade in additional Chinese ports, further increasing their control over the tea trade.
However, towards the end of the nineteenth century, the British began cultivating tea in India, specifically in the Assam and Darjeeling regions, thanks to the research of botanist Robert Fortune. This gradually reduced China’s monopoly in the tea market. This marked a significant shift in the flavour preferences of the British, who began to prefer the stronger and more malty Indian varieties over the previously dominant Chinese counterparts.
The ritual of afternoon tea
Perhaps no British tradition is more emblematic, lunch tea, a delightful meal served between lunch and dinner. This ritual, introduced in the early 1840s, was instituted by Anne, Duchess of Bedford, who was looking for a way to quench her appetite between long pauses in her meals.
Afternoon tea usually consisted of a pot of hot tea, complemented by a selection of sandwiches (often with cucumber), scones with whipped cream and jam, and a variety of cakes and pastries. Somewhat declining in popularity in the 20th century due to changes in work and eating schedules, afternoon tea has made a resurgence as a leisure activity often celebrated in upmarket establishments or on special occasions.
“Builder’s Tea.”
In contrast to the selective consumption of tea during the afternoon tea ritual, “builder’s tea” represents the epitome of working class tea drinking in Britain. Traditionally strong, sweet and often washed down with plenty of milk, it has cemented its place as an everyday staple. The name ‘Builder’s Tea’ comes from the stereotype of labourers who like their tea strong and in large quantities.
Tea and British society today
Tea continues to play a key role in British life. From a morning wake-up call to a soothing drink in times of crisis, tea remains an integral part of the British daily routine. Its importance seeps through social norms, from ‘putting the kettle on’ in moments of distress to offering a ‘cup of tea’ as a sign of hospitality.
People of all age groups and social classes consume tea in large quantities, making the UK one of the highest per capita consumers of tea in the world. The rituals and customs associated with tea – whether it be afternoon tea, afternoon snacks or simply a cup of tea with friends – tend to revolve around socialising and conversation, demonstrating its constant presence at the heart of British society.
Conclusion
The history of British tea is more than just a hot drink. It is an ingrained cultural tradition, a historical relic and an everyday practice. While the British Empire wove a complex history of power and resource control, tea, originally a foreign, oriental product, penetrated to the heart of British daily life.
From the sophisticated afternoon tea to the humble ‘builder’s tea’, it is an eloquent testament to the adaptability of the British and their enduring love of this delightful beverage.
