The British are certainly well known for their love of tea. Despite its origins in Asia, tea is seen by many as a particularly British drink and the country’s connection with tea dates back to the days of colonialism. During the heyday of the British Empire, the taking of tea in the afternoon became something of an act that celebrated British patriotism. The ceremony was even doggedly carried out in the searing heat of a far-flung colonial outpost.
So well known is the British habit of taking tea in the afternoon, that it is often parodied in comedy, both by the British. In the film ‘Carry On Up The Khyber’ , the British ignore an attack from the locals that is tearing their fort apart as they openly take tea in the afternoon in an act of defiance. British military strategy wasn’t actually influenced by tea drinking in this way but tea, and especially the importation of tea, played a huge role in the expansion and running of British Empire. This is particularly so with relation to India and China during the 18th and 19th centuries. Across the other side of the world, the Boston Tea Party was actually an act of defiance against the British Empire by the American colonials who destroyed a large consignment of British Tea. This single act is seen by many as the catalysts for the start of the American Revolution .
The tradition is now so strong that all the best hotels in London will offer you ‘afternoon tea’ and pride themselves on the quality of the tea on offer. Afternoon tea typically includes a slice of cake and probably some sandwiches (stereotypically cucumber). Claridges Hotel at Mayfair claims to offer the best afternoon tea in London, complementing the choice of over 30 teas from around the world with finger sandwiches, cakes and pastries. However, this indulgence and luxury does come at a rather eye watering price at such establishments. Those wishing for tea on a budget will have to seek out a traditional but increasingly rare ‘transport’ café, where tea and toast are still on offer for pence rather than tens of pounds.
Afternoon tea is just another British custom that, while seemingly deeply ingrained into our traditions, is under threat from the spread of American culture. US-styled coffee houses that serve, ironically, Italian style espresso now litter every high street in every town. The taking of afternoon tea does not seem to be maintaining the same level of appeal to younger British people, many of whom have probably never sat down in the afternoon to enjoy good quality tea poured into delicate china cups from a proper tea pot.
More British Institutions
Afternoon Tea
Allotments
April Fools Day
Big Ben
Binge Drinking
Black Cabs
Bonfire Night
British Sense of Humour
Brown Windsor Soup
Burns Night
Cadburys
Castles
Changing the Guard
City of London
Coronation Street
Cowes Week
Cricket
Crufts
Dad’s Army
E-Type Jag
Eccentricity
English Country Garden
Fish and Chips
Fish Fingers
Fox Hunting
Full English Breakfast
Gin and Tonic
Glastonbury
Glorious Goodwood
Grand National
Grouse Shooting
Harrods
Highland Games
Hogmanay
James Bond
John Bull
King Arthur
Land Rover
Lloyds of London
London to Brighton Veteran Car Rally
Marks and Spencer
Monty Python
Morecambe and Wise
Old School Tie
Oxbridge
Panto
Picnics
Pimms
Point-to-Point
Punch and Judy
Queueing
Real Ale
Red Arrows
Red Telephone Boxes
Remembrance Poppies
Robin Hood
Rolls Royce
Royal Ascot
Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo
Savile Row Suits
School Discos
School Sports Day
Seaside Piers
Speakers’ Corner
Stag Nights
Stiff Upper Lip
Strawberries and Cream
Street Markets
Summer Festivals
Sunday Roasts
The Archers
The BBC
The Beano
The Boat Race
The Brass Band
The British Bobby
The Bulldog
The Church of England
The Cup Final
The Curry House
The English Rose
The Garden Shed
The Honours System
The Kilt
The Last Night at the Proms
The London Bus
The Mini
The National Trust
The NHS
The Oak
The Pub
The Queen’s Speech
The Rolling Stones
The Royal Christmas Message
The Spitfire
The V Sign
The Village Fete
The Weather
Travelling Fairs
Trooping the Colour
Village Greens
Wedgwood
Wellington Boots
Wimbledon
Wine Gums
Yeomen of the Guard
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