8. Tea-drinking

 

 

Everything in Britain, says a popular song, “stops for tea”. It’s certainly true that tea is the most popular drink in Britain – far more popular than coffee, which is favoured throughout the rest of Europe and the United States. The Dutch first brought tea to Europe in about 1610, but it was not until 1658 that the first advertisement for tea appeared in a London newspaper. By 1750, tea had become the principal drink in Britain, yet at that time a pound (about 450g) of the cheapest tea cost about one-third of a skilled worker’s weekly wage! Tea was jealously guarded by the lady of the house, and kept in special containers called tea-caddies, often with a lock, and carefully doled out by the teaspoon.
Gradually, tea-drinking developed into a fashionable ritual and tea gardens blossomed in places like Vauxhall and Marylebone in London, where couples could stroll in the afternoon and enjoy a cup of tea with bread and butter and cakes. Tea parties were also popular at home, and soon the ritual of “afternoon tea” was firmly established. Today, throughout the homes, tea-shops and hotels of Britain, the custom of tea-time continues, and it remains a feature of any cricket match or summer fete.
Tea in Britain is traditionally brewed in a china teapot, adding one spoonful of tea per person and one for the pot. Great importance is attached to the use of freshly boiled water, which is poured onto the leaves. Then the tea is left to “brew” for a few minutes. Most people in Britain prefer a rich, strong cup of tea with milk, and sugar is sometimes added to taste.