Brits and the whole tea-thing

[dalem]

Okay, help a Yank out here.

What's with the tea?

-dale

[Ray]

Key Numbers

* The UK drinks 165 million cups of tea a day - 62 billion cups per year. Log on to the new look website to view the tea-counter which keeps a running tab of how many cups the UK has been drinking during the day.
* Average consumption is 3 cups per day (for those aged 10 and over)
* In 2005 the number of 20-34 year olds drinking tea increased for the first time in 30 years, with nearly two-thirds now drinking tea on a regular basis. This followed the launch of a new campaign by the UK tea industry to highlight the health benefits of tea to a younger audience.
* 96% of tea is consumed in tea bags
* 86% of tea is consumed at home
* 98% of people take milk with tea
* More than 25% of milk consumed in the UK is taken with tea
* The UK imports and consumes 140 thousand tonnes of tea per year
* There are approximately 1,500 different varieties of tea

Health facts

* Like fruit and vegetables, tea is a natural source of flavonoids that generate antioxidant activity - in fact, there is more then twice the 'antioxidant power' in a cup of tea than there is in one apple.
* Drinking four cups of tea a day is hydrating, not dehydrating - the water in tea can easily be included in your daily fluid requirements
* Four cups of tea per day offer good health benefits without the contraindications of other caffeine-containing drinks.
* The typical cup of tea contains less than half the level of caffeine of a typical coffee
* Tea is a natural source of fluoride.
* Tea without milk has no calories. Using semi-skimmed milk adds 13 calories per cup, but you also benefit from valuable minerals like calcium.
* Four cups of tea with milk provides you with 21% of your daily calcium requirement.
* Both green and black come from the Camellia sinensis plant and deliver the similar benefits.

The History of Tea

* We have been drinking tea in Britain for over 350 years.
* According to legend, in 2737BC, the Chinese emperor Shen Nung was sitting beneath a tree while his servants boiled drinking water, some leaves from the tree blew into the water - the plant was Camellia sinensis and it created what we now know as tea.
* During the late 8th century tea was introduced to Japan by Japanese Buddhist monks who had travelled to China to study.
* In the latter half of the sixteenth century tea began to be drunk in Europe, at first mostly by the Portuguese who had lived in the East as traders & missionaries.
* The Dutch were the first to ship tea back to Europe as a commercial import at the end of the sixteenth century.
* The marriage of Charles II to Catherine of Braganza was a turning point in the history of tea in Britain. She was Portuguese and a tea addict and her love of tea established it as a fashionable drink at court and among the wealthy.

Tea in the workplace

* Tea breaks are a tradition that has been around for about 200 years.
* When workers commenced work at around five or six thirty in the morning, employers allowed a break in the morning when tea and food were served to the workforce. Some employers repeated the operation late in the afternoon.
* Between 1741 and 1820 various clerics, industrialists and landowners tried to put a stop to the tea break, suggesting it made people slothful. However, people stood up for their rights and the tea break remains with us to this day.
* 80% of workers claim that they find out more about what's going on at work over a cup of tea than in any other way.

Brewing the Perfect Cuppa

* Always boil fresh water. Re-boiling the water takes the oxygen out and can give a slightly metallic taste.
* Milk in first - this avoids scalding the fats in the milk.
* Brew for 4 to 5 minutes or to the strength you prefer.

Quirky Notes About Tea

* Cold tea is good for taking the sting out of sunburn.
* For Brunettes - rinsing your hair in cold tea adds lustre.
* For tired eyes - place a used cold tea bag on the closed eyelids while resting.
* Tea can help cool you down in hot weather - it momentarily causes perspiration, which cools the skin.

For any queries contact tea4health on 020 7808 9737.
http://www.tea.co.uk/news.php?showItem=136

Great stuff tea!

I drink quite a few cuppas per day.

And I am going great guns!

I however, drink Darjeeling Tea only. It is known for its aroma!

Assam tea is known for its "strength"!

[Ray]

Types of Tea

There are several ways of classifying tea, including the country or region of origin (such as China, Ceylon, Assam, Darjeeling).

The most important classification is by manufacturing process, which divides tea into three types:
tea leaf
Black tea

Black teas are produced by withering, cutting, rolling, fermenting and drying the tea leaves. The infusion can be light or dark in appearance, varying in colour from orange to brown and will usually have an astringent taste. Black tea accounts for about 95% of the world market, and is the main tea consumed in the UK. The following Teadirect teas are made with black tea:

* Teadirect Black Tea
* Teadirect Organic Earl Grey

Green tea

Green teas are teas that have been picked and rolled before firing. This stops the veins on the leaves breaking, preventing the fermentation process, so that the leaf does not turn brown. The brewed tea is pale yellow or green in colour, with a slightly bitter taste. It is drunk without milk and can be sweetened with honey. Green tea is drunk mainly in China and Japan, and is considered a speciality tea in other parts of the world. It is growing in popularity in the UK. The following Teadirect teas are made with green tea:

* Teadirect Organic Tea with Lemongrass
* Teadirect Organic Tea with Cinnamon

Oolong tea

Oolong teas are semi-green teas, produced by stopping the fermentation process just as the leaves start to turn brown. The leaves are then fired or dried and deliver a yellowish infusion with a slight, non-astringent peach flavour.

[gunnut]

That's something very interesting. Tea is very big in British culture. Brits literally shrivel up and die if they don't get their tea. I saw a History Channel program that said the British Empire secured nearlly all of the tea production in the world in 1940 to supply her armed forces. Screw the food. Gotta have tea.

British tankers were known to strap water tanks on their engine exhaust manifold to heat up water. When they stop, hot tea.

Then again, us Yanks shrivel up and die if we don't get coffee. Any coffee will do. We'll drink brown water that smells like coffee just so we don't have to drink water. Slightly different here in California though. Bunch of hippie health nuts who actually want to drink water.

[ZFBoxcar]

The Opium Wars were fought because the Brits had too big a trade deficit resulting from tea imports from China.

[platinum786]

i don't get it.....any people older than me that i know are hooked on the stuff, it must be addictive.

personally i have no major issue....i like tea.....hate coffee....not hooked on either.

The number of starbucks has increased quite a lot....we even ahve one in Derby...

[Ray]

Afternoon Tea

Anna, the 7th Duchess of Bedford is often credited with the invention of the tradition of afternoon tea in the early 1840's. Traditionally dinner was not served until 8:30 or 9:00 in the evening and the Duchess often became hungry, especially in the summer when dinner was served even later. She ordered a small meal of bread, butter, and other niceties, such as cakes, tarts, and biscuits, to be brought secretly to her boudoir. When she was exposed she was not ridiculed, as she had feared, but her habit caught on and the concept of a small meal, of niceties and perhaps tea, became popular and eventually known as "afternoon tea" (Ukers 1935). Obviously the origins of the well known British tradition of afternoon tea cannot be credited to only one woman, but evolved over a period of time, as many cultural customs do.

Women were first introduced to tea on a wide scale when Lyon's tea house opened and not only served women tea, but even hired stylish young women to serve it. This provided a place for women, accompanied by a male escort, to go and visit with one another in an acceptable atmosphere (Ukers 1935: 414). Women were also served tea in the London tea gardens of the early 1730's. Tea gardens were outdoor gardens with flowered walks and music for dancing. They opened in April or May and remained open throughout the summer until August or September. Tea was not the only beverage served, but was one of the most commonly drunk (Ukers 1935: 389). Unlike Lyon's tea house, tea gardens were not public places. One had to pay to get in, and the working class was not admitted.

In 1819 the Tea Dance became popular, and continued through World War II. Friends and acquaintances gathered between 5:00 and 6:30 pm, and table and chairs would be set up around a dance floor. Tea and snacks were served at the tables while others danced (Smith 1966). It was perhaps the Tea Dance, and not the Duchess of Bedford's afternoon snacks, that were the direct precursor to the tradition of afternoon tea, although the Duchess may have been one of the first to hold afternoon teas.

By the mid 1800's the most of the coffee houses had evolved into exclusive clubs, each geared towards a certain segment of the population. Women were allowed in tea shops and tea gardens, but only with a male companion. However, while the men were out in the clubs for the mid-day meal, or in the afternoons and early evenings, the women could not frequent any of the public establishments to visit with other women. As a result women invited other women to their homes.

Increasing industrialization and urbanization created changes in British culture. In the pre-industrial home, from 1700, when tea started to become more widely available, to 1815, three quarters of the population lived in a rural setting, and were farmers. Over the course of this period increasing numbers of people moved to urban areas to work and live. A middle class, or bourgeoisie, grew out of the new economic opportunities of industrialization. The bourgeoisie spent large amount of money on consumer goods such as tea. An increase in real wages for the working class enabled them to emulate the bourgeoisie as far as was economically feasible (Williams 1987: 162-164).

A stronger ideal of the family and the home was created by a revival of moral reform, paternal authority, and sexual repression. The bourgeois woman's identity became connected with the home and she was given the responsibility of creating a genteel atmosphere in which the man could feel in control. The issue of control was important in that the man's position in the public sphere was often changing and unstable as increasing industrialization changed the roles of production. Women were educated to create this home environment, and to not work outside the home. In spite of this ideal, however, many working class women had to work to support their families. Most worked in domestic service or the textile industry. The working woman was perceived as "contaminated and sickening," in opposition to the middle class woman who was pure, but sick, and the upper class woman who was weak and delicate (Williams 1987: 175). There is an obvious correlation to the amount of contact each class of woman had with the outside world, and how pure and ladylike they were considered to be. A lady was too delicate to go out into the world alone and, therefore, had to entertain and be entertained in the private sphere, or be escorted by a protective man.

The woman controlled the social life of the household. She arranged dinners, at homes, teas, and other social situations. Conversation parties imitating the French salon were also popular starting in around the 1750's (Stenton 1957: 270). All of these activities were centered on improving one's social standing in the community. The relationships of children were carefully controlled, especially in ensuring proper marriages.

When afternoon tea, and other new social activities of the middle and upper classes, developed is not clear, although in 1842, a well known actress named Fanny Kemble first heard of afternoon tea, and did not believe the custom had been practiced prior to that date (Ukers 1935: 405). By the middle of the nineteenth century, and Fanny Kemble's first afternoon tea, the complex set of rules and etiquette surrounding the social customs of women visiting each other for tea.

The at home tea was a common practice. After deciding on a day of the week to hold at home hours, and send announcements to friends, relatives, and acquaintances. On that particular day of the week one would remain at home all day and receive visitors. Some entertainment might be provided for the guests, but usually conversation, after the model of the French salon, was the primary entertainment. Tea and cakes, sandwiches, or other niceties were be served. If sent an at home notice it was expected that unless regrets were sent that all who received a notice would attend. There was at least one person holding an at home day on any given day, and social ties were established as women saw each other almost every day at different houses (Smith 1966: 12).

A system of codes was followed during this formal social interaction. There were three types of formal social visits. The first type was to wish congratulations or condolences on the hostess when appropriate. A card was left with the message, and the visitor may or may not have been received. The ceremonial visit was brief, and when another visitor was announced the ceremonial guest, usually an acquaintance whose visit would increase the social standing of one of the parties involved, would excuse themselves and retreat. The third type of visit was that of friendship. A friend would only visit during the appointed at home hours, but the rules of behavior were less strict. For example, the friend was not expected to leave if another guest arrived, as one of the functions of the tea was to socialize with a group of friends. (Smith 1966: 13-14).

When tea was served the hostess sat at one end of the table and supervised its pouring for her guests. The eldest daughter of the household, or the closest friend of the hostess, served coffee or chocolate if it was desired (Smith 1966: 76). It is interesting to note that the division of serving privileges is indicative of the varying importance of these three beverages at this time. Tea was a valuable commodity, and stored in locked tea caddies for which only the woman of the household held the key. In allowing the eldest daughter, or friend, to serve the other beverages, and reserving the privilege of serving of tea to only herself, she sets levels of social significance. This is an interesting parallel to the lord of the house serving the tea in China. In both cases it is the host with the most power who serves the tea, in spite of the gender differences. Men in nineteenth century Britain were higher on the public scale of social hierarchies, but the woman was in charge of the household, and creating the genteel atmosphere connected with formal social visits. As a result she was more powerful within the house than the man. Even when the British "lord" of the house was present it was the woman's responsibility to serve tea.

The hostess also adds the sugar and milk or lemon to the tea for the guest. These substances were common and inexpensive enough to serve often and to many guests. However, the cultural legacy from when both tea and sugar were rare and expensive luxury goods, created a situation in which the hostess desired, or was expected, to be in control of the amount consumed. When sugar and tea were first introduced only the aristocracy were able to possess them. They displayed their power and wealth by consuming these rare goods (Mintz 1985). Tea and sugar were more common by the 1800's, but as consumable luxuries they still suggested power and wealth. The upper classes wealthy enough to hire servants had them serve the tea and guests were allowed to add their own sugar, milk or lemon to the tea. By releasing control over tea and sugar the upper classes demonstrated their wealth and ability to buy as much of these commodities as desired. This asserted their social standing through the careless consumption of luxury goods.

**********

Afternoon Tea (The Traditional 4 o' clock Tea)

This is a small meal and not a drink. Traditionally, Tea is served with the following options:

1. freshly baked scones served with cream and jam. It is also known as "cream tea".
2. Afternoon tea sandwiches often thinly sliced cucumber sandwiches with the crust cut off.
3. Assorted pastries.

High Tea (The traditional 6 o'clock tea)

The British working population did not have the traditional afternoon tea. They had a meal about mid day and a meal after work, between 5 and 7 o' clock. The meal was called "high Tea" or just "Tea".

High tea was a substantial meal and consisted of delicious sweet food such as scones, cakes, buns or tea bread, with tempting savouries such as cheese on toast, toasted crumpets, cold meats and pickles or poached eggs on toast.

This meal is often replaced by supper due to people eating their main meal in the evening rather than at midday.

[kNikS]

Originally Posted by gunnut

...British tankers were known to strap water tanks on their engine exhaust manifold to heat up water. When they stop, hot tea...

I red something similar in Andy McNab's "Immediate Action". IIRC cansiter with tea is attached to vehicle rear, they call it "Norevegian". But it's also mentioned that after some time in the field that would be pretty tastelles lukewarm liquid, yet recognized as ambrosia by the soldiers. I was always asking myself which is exactly canister with the tea when looking at those British AFVs...

[Captain Drunk]

Originally Posted by Ray

Types of Tea

There are several ways of classifying tea, including the country or region of origin (such as China, Ceylon, Assam, Darjeeling).
tea leaf
Black tea
Teadirect Black Tea
Teadirect Organic Earl Grey
Green tea
Teadirect Organic Tea with Lemongrass
Teadirect Organic Tea with Cinnamon
Oolong tea

Sir, you forgot Lemon tea, black tea with lime and sugar, my favoutire
Also ice tea. There are some more than 50 varieties of tea those traditional Chai restaurants serve in India.

[Confed999]

I love tea, strong black Earl Grey in particular.

[gunnut]

Originally Posted by kNikS

I red something similar in Andy McNab's "Immediate Action". IIRC cansiter with tea is attached to vehicle rear, they call it "Norevegian". But it's also mentioned that after some time in the field that would be pretty tastelles lukewarm liquid, yet recognized as ambrosia by the soldiers. I was always asking myself which is exactly canister with the tea when looking at those British AFVs...

Well that was back in WW2. I figure the new British vehicles today should have hot water heater and cup holders built in already.

I drink some tea, as long as it doesn't have any extra flavors in it.

I'm so addicted to Coca Cola it's not funny. Standard ration for me is around 40 oz. each afternoon to get me through work.

On top of Coke, I drink coffee now. I tried to quit Coke by drinking coffee. Big mistake.

[Asim Aquil]

I can go on to drink like 5-10 cups a day.

A friend of mine says I drink tea not coz I need the caffiene fix but coz I'm bored.

Dunno, but nothing tops the 0.50 dh malbari chai you get from some of the places I frequent a lot!

[kNikS]

Originally Posted by gunnut

Well that was back in WW2. I figure the new British vehicles today should have hot water heater and cup holders built in already.

Actually, it was in eighties, but I’m sure that technology is improved now as you mentioned. But imagine what impact on their morale would be shooting at those canisters… possibly greater than the loss of CO.

[Gun Grape]

Originally Posted by gunnut

Slightly different here in California though. Bunch of hippie health nuts who actually want to drink water.

Drink water? Are they crazy? Waters for bathing. Well at least they arn't putting it in their whisky

[Confed999]

Don't drink the water, fish f**k in it...