The Importance Of Tea In British Culture

Ask anyone outside of the United Kingdom about British culture, and the topic of tea is sure to come up. The Uk has been a major consumer of tea ever since the 18th century, and its citizens consume an average of 1.9 kilos per year. Tea was initially consumed only by the wealthy in Europe, but it quickly gained popularity and is now consumed by people of all socioeconomic backgrounds. It is still widely recognized as an integral component of the British character and a distinctive facet of British society.

The British fondness for tea has become a vital part of the country’s image abroad. The British are well-known for their ability to brew a satisfying cup of tea, and their peculiar penchant for diluting it with milk and sugar is often cited as an example of their unique culture. The custom of having tea in the afternoon, which originated in England, has caught on in many other countries. In 2018, researchers found that “afternoon tea” is one of the main 3 things that youngsters all over the world identified with England. Although the British now identify strongly with their love of tea, this wasn’t always the case. Only a small percentage of the British population drank tea before 1700, but by the early 1800s, practically everyone did.

The Backstory

It wasn’t until the early 17th century that considerable quantities of tea arrived in England. By 1610, regular shipments of tea from China and some other Asian countries were being handled by Dutch and Portuguese merchants to European markets.