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The lady drinking tea drawn by Niclas Lafrensen

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Tea was first introduced to Great Britain in the 1600s and it didn't take long for the British to develop a strong taste for the drink. In the centuries since the British tea culture has been going strong. Tea is now associated with the British lifestyle as it is enjoyed daily by people from all walks of life.
A Brief History of Tea in Britain

The British East India Company was formed in 1600 and monopolized trade between Britain and the Far East. At that point, tea had been introduced to Europe but was still an oddity in Great Britain. That changed when Charles II married Catherine of Braganza, a Portuguese princess who loved tea. Thanks to her, tea became the "in" drink among monarchs and the wealthy class.

British East India placed its first order for tea from China in 1664. Although it was originally a drink enjoyed only in privileged circles, its popularity soon spread to the entire population. By 1750, millions of pounds of Chinese tea were imported annually.

In 1834, East India lost its monopoly on the tea trade with China. Soon after, merchants began using fast clippers to speedily transport tea from China to Britain. The faster the tea could be transported, the more money could be made. In the mid-1800s, the British started importing tea from India as well, starting with Assam and then spreading to other regions and later Sri Lanka.

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It typically comes with milk and the choice of additional add-ins

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In British tea culture, high tea is the afternoon tea, and it frequently includes cuisine such as meat, biscuits, greens, and hot tea. Historically, afternoon tea was a social occasion for the upper class, and high tea was an essential meal for the working class.

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Tea is not complete without delectable little desserts.

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The British place a high value on elegance. Tea must be preserved in ceramic pots with historically designed patterns. The tea cup and saucer must be white ceramic, and a teapot must accompany them. The basic but consistent, unobtrusive, and equally sumptuous hues ooze sophistication. Furthermore, in British tea recipes, the cleanliness of the water and the freshness of the tea leaves are highly valued.

The tea brewing technique is also of great interest since it directly impacts tea quality. They do not boil the water and tea leaves for an extended period of time, but just pour clean hot water over the tea leaves and steep for a few minutes, allowing the tea's color and flavor to diminish and dissolve in the water. Tea manufacturing procedures are evaluated based on the water's color and the tea's flavor. After mixing, adjust the amount of milk or sugar to taste and liking.

Tea is more than just tea; whether it is a simple tea or a tea party, there must be additional cakes. To give a lovely taste, the attractive cupcakes are topped with cream, butter, or chocolate. You can use extra fruit or sandwiches instead of tea and cakes.

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The British favored black tea from India, Sri Lanka (Ceylon), China, and Africa, among other places. Black tea mixes are popular, particularly full-bodied blends with a robust flavor that can withstand milk and complement a hearty English breakfast.
In the United Kingdom, the tea bag has become a popular and practical way to consume tea. In the global tea market, British brands such as Twinings, Tetley, and Lipton are well-known.
Type of tea
Formal Tea

For a formal tea, as in a tea party or a proper afternoon tea, tea sets made of fine bone china, porcelain, or silver are used. The set includes a teapot, cups and saucers, a creamer for holding milk, and a sugar bowl, all carried on a tray. All the pieces of a proper English tea set will likely have a matching pattern.

Cream Tea

The cream tea in British tea culture refers to a pot of tea served with scones, clotted cream, and jam. It does not mean that cream is added to the tea. Traditionally, the jam is strawberry, the cream is thick and dense, and both are piled high on the scone.

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Even while it still plays a significant role in daily life in the UK, tea consumption appears to be declining. In the five years before to 2002, the volume of tea purchased in the UK decreased by more than 10%. Most restaurants report selling more than twice as many cups of coffee as they do tea, and tea sales have decreased by 6% only in 2014 alone. In high street shops, more than £1 billion was spent on coffee in 2013. When compared to tea bags, that is more than twice as much. The popularity of British tea is not likely to decline anytime soon. Would you want a cup of coffee? Different people have had differing viewpoints on tea and Britain over the years. However, they can all agree on the fact that tea will always be a part of the British tea culture. It seems that a cup of tea or a “cuppa” as they call it, solves everything from sickness to crisis. Great Britain truly is one of the tea capitals of the world.

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The habit of drinking tea by the hour is another example of how sophisticated the British are in their tea consumption. At least six times a day, the British consume tea, each time enjoying a distinct flavor depending on the time of day. For instance, after waking up in the morning, folks in this place will have tea with their meal and drink tea while working till approximately 11 o'clock. The best time to have a hot cup of tea and a filling meal to get you through the afternoon is still till noon. In the afternoon from 1-4 o'clock, even though the work is not finished, they still have to stop for a cup of tea and then rush to finish the work.
It is easy to understand why England is the global champion in the consumption of tea given this practice. Tea has developed into a crucial beverage to start the day, boost energy at work, and replenish lost energy. As a result, tea is a necessary beverage in this country; in fact, people frequently humorously joke that "England can be without the Queen, but it cannot be without tea."

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A "cuppa" is short for a "cup of tea." It is a popular saying in Britain tea culture, as in "It's time for a cuppa!" This term dates back to the early 1900s.