English tea is traditionally drunk with. History of English tea and tea drinking in England. English tea traditions

How to drink tea in England, the history of the Five o'clock tradition.

Drinking tea in England around five o'clock in the afternoon is a relatively new tradition. You will be surprised, but this tradition is not more than 200 years old. Although in England tea drinking becomes popular already in the 17th and 18th centuries. Tea consumption is increasing, thanks to trade links and tea exports from India and China.

But this is not yet the famous “afternoon tea”, which today is the hallmark of England. The tradition of afternoon tea originated with Anne, the seventh Duchess of Bedford. The date of the origin of the famous tradition of “five o’clock” is considered to be 1840.

The history of the tradition of drinking tea in England or "Five o'clock tea".

In the early 19th century, there were traditionally two main meals in England. Early breakfast and late lunch, around 8pm. There were no snacks in the modern sense of the word. Note that the ladies at that time were noticeably slimmer. It was hard for many to endure such a break in nutrition. Could not stand the feeling of hunger, especially in the afternoon, and the Duchess Anna of Bedford.

The poor duchess could not endure the feeling of hunger until supper. The Duchess demanded that a tray of tea, bread, butter and a piece of cake be served privately in her private boudoir. The solution has been found! The feeling of hunger receded, and the private habit of drinking tea in the afternoon was firmly entrenched in the Duchess.

Later, the duchess began to invite her friends to share a private tea ceremony with her. The sweet summer tradition proved so popular that the Duchess continued to invite guests upon her return to London. She sent beautifully designed invitations to her acquaintances to join her for a cup of tea. The habit of drinking tea at five o'clock in the evening quickly spread in the highest circles. It has become respectable and fashionable.

“Five o'clock" as a social phenomenon and public event.

Society quickly picked up on this idea. From a private boudoir, tea drinking moved to the living room. WITH light hand duchesses, all members of the wealthy classes, high and fashionable society, with pleasure, interrupted their day for a cup of tea and a sandwich. It was their privilege and special glamor. Thus, tea became the link between breakfast and dinner.

In the second half of the 19th century, a break for tea became a fashionable social phenomenon. During the 1880s, upper-class women wore special dresses resembling robes, changed gloves and hats especially for evening tea. Tea was served in the living room. The upper classes drank tea in the afternoon in the drawing-room between four and five o'clock before a fashionable stroll through Hyde Park.

The choice of dishes has become much wider and more refined. First of all, it was sandwiches. Including,traditional English sandwich with butter and thinly sliced ​​cucumber, whipped cream, cakes and pastries. Teadelivered from India and Ceylon. Tea was served in silver teapots and poured into cups made of the finest bone china. Today, in the usual country afternoon tea is a mug of tea from a bag and a small biscuit.

Everyone has their own tea. What is the difference between "high" and "low" tea.

While the nobility indulged in idle tea drinking, the lower classes were forced to work hard. The workers could not afford to waste their day and time on an empty occupation. Moreover, tea in the 19th century was quite expensive. The working class had a different budget and a different schedule. A tired factory worker could not come home before six o'clock to eat cake.

In the industrial areas of northern England and southern Scotland, the tea tradition has evolved. “High tea” or “high tea” appeared. If for the nobility, this was a social event, then for a simple worker in the 18-19th century, this is a necessary meal to survive until dinner, and sometimes instead of it. English high tea usually includes a mug of tea, bread, vegetables, cheese, sometimes meat, potatoes, pies. This tradition still exists in some parts of England and Scotland.

Another significant difference lies in the way the drink is consumed. A possible explanation for why tea is called "high tea" is that tea was served at an ordinary table and sat on chairs. High society preferred to enjoy tea sitting on low soft sofas or in armchairs at low tables. Later, high society had its own high tea, especially when there were not many servants.

The high tea of ​​the high society combined the two traditions, began to serve more dense dishes, pigeons, veal, salmon and fruits. That is, if you are seriously hungry, then you will be offered high tea with a wide selection of dishes. IN modern version, if you are hungry, then choose "high tea".

The tradition of drinking tea in England today is the privilege of tourists.

The tradition of drinking tea in England is firmly entrenched. Today, many tourists imagine that around five, life in the country stops, and everything “stops” for tea. Unfortunately, it is not. The privilege of a tea break is a luxury for most working Britons. In fact, tourists indulge in this tradition more than the British themselves. Hotels and teahouses lure tourists and offer exquisite and varied options. You can choose for every taste and budget.

For example, the expensive historic Brown’s Hotel, where tea was served to Queen Victoria herself, invites you to enjoy a cup of tea in an elegant tea room, where everything is decorated in accordance with the Victorian era. You will be served exclusively low calorie cakes, low-fat desserts and fruits.

In another famous Ritz hotel, tea has been served since 1906 from the moment of opening and does not change traditions. Sandwiches with smoked salmon and fried ham are served with tea. From sweet buns with raisins and apple cake. The hotel has a dress code for the tea ceremony: ladies in dresses, men in jackets and ties. Jeans, sportswear and tights are not allowed.

Traditional menu for tea.

What do people traditionally drink tea with in England? There are no specific rules and a strict menu. First of all, this is a set of sandwiches and homemade pastries. The classic choice issandwich with English cucumber. INYou can have mayonnaise, smoked salmon with soft cheese, smoked chicken pieces, ham and mustard. You can choose from hundreds of types of Indian, Ceylon or Chinese tea, and in addition to complete the tea party with a glass of champagne. Happy tea!

The culture of English tea drinking seems to be a very interesting phenomenon. Those who like to spend time with a cup of English tea know all the basics and significant aspects "exclusively English" tradition. What is the hidden love of the English for tea? Why did this particular nation opt for a fragrant drink and create traditions inherited by the indigenous people for many centuries?

Did you know: the most expensive tea bag was created at a cost of £7,500. It included diamonds.

Some interesting facts

The history of the development of English tea culture is very interesting. It is worth noting in advance that the origin of this tradition dates back to 1664(during the reign of Charles II). Before looking at the history of the formation of tea drinking in England and considering the peculiarities of the traditions, it will be useful to know a few fascinating facts:

1. In the course of a social survey and a number of studies, it was found that daily people in England use on average 120 million cups fragrant tea. And each resident drinks one or two cups of tea a day.
2. In literal translation from English "a tea-aholic"- this is a person who has fallen in love with aromatic tea and prefers only it.
3. Tea drinking is present and has been developing in England for 5 centuries. The original traditions change, new varieties of aromatic tea appear, but the original rules remain the same.
4. It was in England that an unconventional technique for drinking a drink was introduced, namely the combination of tea with milk. The interest lies in the fact that initially milk is poured into the mug, and then tea leaves.
5. For tea drinking they select only quality chinaware. It was believed that such a pastime is the most best holiday, and you need to relax not only pleasantly, but also elegantly.

Tea traditions depend on where you are in the country.

There are other interesting details, but the above facts are the most bright examples why the British are considered avid tea drinkers.

History of tea drinking in England

Based on the history of England, it follows, that in one period, the indigenous people did not even know the name "tea". But in 1664, during the reign of Charles II, they first learned about this drink. The king received a gift of some dry leaves tea tree from representatives of an Indian company. Having brewed the leaves according to the recommendations of the merchants, Charles II was amazed by the extraordinary taste and aroma, as well as the invigorating aftertaste. It is the end of the 16th century can be described as the beginning of friendship between the English and tea.

A few months later, tea was present at official events of the upper class, on which were aristocrats, gentlemen and ladies of the court. Ordinary people have not yet learned about this unusual and healing drink.

Tea was an expensive offering and was affordable only for the king or the upper class. Moreover, in order to bring tea tree leaves to Britain, it was necessary to pay heavy taxes, so only wealthy merchants decided on such an adventure.

Some time later, fragrant tea was released to the masses, and there were several reasons for this.

One of the theories is. If the British did not give up alcohol, but would continue to drink en masse. Britain would now be a 3rd world country.

First and the most important cause speaks high percentage of alcoholism, present in the middle of the 17th century. At that time, England was an active colonizer, and the country had many settlements located in various parts of the world. It was in 1670 and the problem of total, progressive alcoholism arose.

In some work settlements, the water present was not intended for direct consumption and the authorities decided to introduce alcohol, as an effective antiseptic. During the working day, men and women consumed port wine and other alcohol-containing products in large quantities to satisfy thirst.

The trend of alcoholism continued to increase. A drunk worker could not work fully, factories and agricultural work got up. Looking at the fruits of their efforts, the British authorities began to look for a way out of the current situation. The only right decision was replacement of alcoholic products to another drink that did not contain ethyl. After 2 months, active promotion of tea began which they drink to this day.

The working class readily accepted this trend, and six months later, almost every resident of England or a British colony could enjoy the taste of aromatic tea. It was from this moment that the tradition of English tea drinking began to take shape.

How to drink tea in England during the day

Special "tea addicts" consume up to 15 cups of tea per day. They prefer green and herbal teas. Since such doses can harm the body.

After the traditions were finally formed, the day of any inhabitant of the kingdom began and ended with a tea ceremony. Traditionally, tea consumption occurs 6 times a day. Consider how and when to enjoy fragrant tea:

• Drinking tea in bed. Many English residents prefer not coffee, but tea in bed. The action takes place in the interval from 6:00 to 6:20 in the morning.
• The second reception of fragrant tea falls at 8:00 in the morning. In the UK, this process is called "English breakfast". Tea must be freshly brewed and strong in order to finally wake up.
• At noon the English have lunch. It is then that the third meal is made. Tea should be freshly brewed, but relatively weak.
• "Tea Break"- 4 period of taking a fragrant drink. The stage falls in the middle of the working day.
• The official English tea party is held promptly at 17:00 by local time. Even if there is a conflict or politically tense situation, a glass of aromatic drink will be drunk in any case.
• British day ends around 19:00. All citizens who have successfully completed their labor activity return home, analyzing the work done, and start drinking tea, enjoying aromatic tea.

Of course, in addition to the officially accepted six periods of tea drinking per day, you can drink as many cups of aromatic tea as you like.

Tea is considered the drink of real aristocrats, so many residents like to spend evenings in silence, talking about “high” and enjoying the pleasant taste of fragrant brew.

Modern interpretation of traditions

The traditions of tea drinking in England were formed several centuries ago, but the popularity of the aromatic drink at any official meetings or as a pleasant pastime continues to grow every year.

Many Britons are ditching hard liquor in favor of tea at glamorous dates. Thus, showing their respect for the country and traditions.

Some rules and traditions eventually changed. The traditional tea drinking is taken as a basis, but in a new interpretation:

• You need to use or Ceylon tea. Leaves should be twisted and not subject to deformation.
• For each tea party, a new aromatic drink is certainly brewed.
• After brewing in a teapot brewing should be infused for 5-7 minutes. If longer, then the drink will lose its original taste.
• The English never dilute their tea. cold water , they wait until the poured drink cools down to the state of consumption.
• At an official tea party arranged for friendly purposes, there should be a container of milk on the table, closed jug with hot water(to add to the teapot), teapot, strainer.
• Each guest should have porcelain dishes, consisting of a cup, plate, spoon and sugar tongs. The British prefer to use refined sugar.
• In the original traditions fragrant the drink was consumed on an empty stomach with sweets. In the modern interpretation, various treats compatible with tea should be on the table. For example jams and cream.

Tea culture and traditions continue to evolve. From a young age, little Englishmen know that aromatic drink is part of their national heritage. Most indigenous people do not consume alcoholic products. They prefer tea and a quiet, peaceful pastime, during which you can have friendly conversations or delve into your own thoughts.

What English traditions do you know? Leave your opinion in the comments. We will add the most detailed ones to the article.

Even those who have never been to the UK have heard of foggy weather, red double-decker buses, which are considered to be London's "calling card", and the invariable tradition of drinking tea at five o'clock. How the British observe it, we remember from Lewis Carroll's book about the adventures of Alice. The heroes, who were offended by time and stopped the clock hands at the number "5", were forced to constantly drink tea. They did not even try to get up from the table, because everyone knows that in England "five-o-clock" is the time of traditional tea drinking.

What is "Five o'clock Tea"

Five o'clock Tea, afternoon tea or five o'clock tea is probably the most famous English tradition, which is remembered immediately, as soon as it comes to this country and its customs. Such an association was formed largely due to English literature and cinema, which reflected the traditional five-hour tea party. A starched tablecloth, a china tea set, elegant cutlery, milk tea, sandwiches, cookies, cakes and leisurely conversation are all attributes of an English tea party.

History of appearance

Tea owes its popularity in England, perhaps, to King Charles II and his wife Catherine of Braganza, who was originally from Portugal. The middle of the 17th century was marked by the flourishing of foreign trade, and tea occupied not the last place among imported overseas goods. The royal couple loved this invigorating drink, and their affection made the tea popular among members of the high society, who tried to imitate the monarchs. Since then, the fashion for tea has steadily grown, and soon it became the most popular drink of the entire British aristocracy.

In the middle of the 18th century, it was customary to sit down at the table twice: for breakfast and dinner. Moreover, the dinner was plentiful, long and was served no earlier than 8 pm. To make it easier to wait for such a late dinner, the aristocrats began to arrange a small tea party. Five o'clock Tea began to invite guests, following the Duchess of Bedford, who laid the foundation for this. TO late XIX centuries, the tradition of drinking tea at five o'clock (five o'clock) from a small home event gradually turned into a real secular reception. In fashionable restaurants, tables were laid in special places for fife-o-clock tea drinking, where aristocrats came dressed in their best outfits.

Modern version

Today, like several centuries ago, milk is an invariable component of fife-o-clock tea drinking in the UK. They say that tea lovers even divided into two camps and for a long time continue to argue about what should be poured into the cup first: tea or milk?

• Connoisseurs of this healthy drink who first pour tea, argue that by adding milk, you can adjust the strength of the tea and its taste, otherwise it will not be so fragrant.
• Connoisseurs who pour milk first are convinced that this is the only way the drink gets its excellent taste and acquires delicate notes.

It's hard to tell which of these afternoon tea drinkers is right, but the debate has been going on for a long time. How can one not recall the novel "Gulliver's Travels" by Jonathan Swift, in which the inhabitants of a fantasy country fiercely argued which end to break boiled egg. Of course, this work was a sharp satire. As for tea, the true connoisseurs of this drink claim that by pouring tea first, and then milk, into one cup, and first milk, and then tea into the other, you can get two drinks that will taste completely different.

It should be noted that today a long tradition in ordinary homes is partly on the decline. On weekdays, most people drive home from work at five o'clock to have dinner at home. However, this custom is observed in almost all cafes and restaurants, even if mainly for tourists. Five o'clock tea is still served in royal palaces and most closed clubs, as well as in conservative shops and hotels, which in this way try to emphasize their elitism and adherence to traditions.

Serving

The table (or tea table) during Five o'clock Tea should be covered with a solemn tablecloth, usually white. To the tablecloth, napkins are selected that are in harmony in tone and style. A light vase with flowers will look very appropriate. Porcelain dishes are used, from one set or service: cups with saucers, a sugar bowl, a milk jug, a teapot, plates for snacks. You also need vases for jam or jam, teaspoons, forks and knives, tongs for lump sugar and a tea strainer.

What do they drink five o'clock tea with

In England, there are three types of five-hour tea, each of which is served with its own treat:

1. Cream tea or tea with cream. It is usually drunk with buns and jam.
2. Light Tea or light tea. This drink is served with candy buns.
3. Full Tea or full tea. This tea involves a more "dense" treat: sandwiches, dessert, buns and sweets.

Cafes and pastry shops during Five o'clock Tea offer sandwiches, savory snacks, buns with jam and clotted cream, cookies, shortbreads, muffins and pies. To find out the opinion of the British about which of the sandwiches they consider the best, a special survey was even conducted in this country. Most respondents gave the first place to a sandwich with cream cheese and smoked salmon.

The tradition of putting aside one's affairs in order to plunge into the fragrant world of freshly brewed tea at five o'clock is reflected not only in literature and cinema, but also in perfumery. A long-standing English custom inspired the eminent French perfumer Serge Lutens to create a fragrance called Five O'Clock Au Gingembre. Warm iridescent perfume attracts with chords of tea and bergamot framed by ginger, cinnamon and woody shades. The trail of honey notes combined with amber, pepper, cocoa and patchouli sounds like a perfumery ode to this glorious British tradition.

True connoisseurs of tea prefer leisurely brewing and a thoughtful ceremony, during which you can appreciate all the facets of the drink and find inner harmony. Real tea not only has a rich taste, but also interesting story more than 5000 years long. Learn 10 interesting facts about tea related to the most "tea" country in the world - Great Britain.

And don't forget to test your knowledge, there is a surprise waiting for you at the end of the test!

1. British aristocrats started a tradition: to drink morning tea at dawn, at 6 in the morning, without getting out of bed. One of the most "morning" teas is the invigorating "English Breakfast" - a mixture of tea leaves collected in the Indian state of Assam, Ceylon and Kenya. According to one legend, Queen Victoria introduced the fashion for morning tea. "English breakfast" goes well with milk. According to tradition, milk is first poured into the cup, and then tea. This is explained very simply: earlier, when tea was drunk from fine porcelain, boiling water could damage the dishes. Having imagined a precious handmade tea set, it is not difficult to understand how the owners of such dishes valued their sets. By the way, one of the world's largest private collections of ancient tea culture items, The Chitra Collection, belongs to the founder and owner of Newby Teas, Nirmal Kumar Sethia. The unique collection includes tea bowls from the Song Dynasty in China, as well as Victorian era tea sets in the UK and modern teapots of the 21st century.

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2. Writer George Orwell, like a true Briton, appreciated the tea traditions of his country. The writer insisted that black tea should be Indian. It was from tea grown in Ceylon (modern Sri Lanka) that the famous classic Earl Gray variety with bergamot began to be made. According to one of the many legends, the tea got its name in honor of Earl Charles Gray (Eng. Earl), Prime Minister of Great Britain in 1830-1834, who adored flavored teas. Another legend tells about Lord Grey, the owner of tea plantations. During a storm, his cargo - bales of tea leaves - was flooded with bergamot oil, but the entrepreneur did not want to throw out the "spoiled" goods and risked brewing what happened.

3. Both black and green tea obtained from the leaves of the same bush, but traditionally green tea is imported from Asia and black tea from India. The difference between these types of tea is in the region of their growth and in the degree of fermentation (oxidation). Green tea is practically not fermented, while black tea is completely fermented. Medium-fermented teas include oolongs. By the way, many nutritionists call green tea one of the secrets of harmony in Asian women. Green tea (without sugar, of course) has been proven to speed up calorie burning. This was known even at the court of Chinese emperors. It is believed that 3-6 cups a day can not only speed up metabolism, but also remove excess fluid from the body and reduce hunger.

4. Both green and black teas contain caffeine! In the “ability” to invigorate, freshly brewed tea is not inferior to coffee, so it is not recommended to drink it after dinner. Caffeine-free drinks - tisanes - do not contain tea leaves at all and consist of fruits, berries, flowers or herbs. The collections of Newby Teas have a varied selection of tisanes: with ginger, chamomile, rose hips, mint, orange, mango, verbena... This tea is recommended to drink in the evenings, relaxing after a busy day.

5. Did you know that tea with lemon in the UK is called Russian? The tradition of adding a slice of lemon, indeed, was born in Russian taverns. The road-sick guests were offered sour tea to bring them to their senses.

6. The fashion for five o'clock tea - the famous British 5-o "clock tea - was introduced in the middle of the 19th century by Anna, the Duchess of Bedford. The Duchess, a big lover of a snack, could not wait for dinner and killed time with a leisurely tea party with light snacks. Get to the classic five-o'clock ceremony London-style teas are also available in Moscow, for example, the Marriott Aurora Hotel offers its guests Newby tea from the limited Gourmet collection.The beautiful presentation of the ceremony helps guests feel the spirit of luxurious London.

7. But evening tea drinking is traditionally called “high tea”. High tea is not just gatherings, but secular parties with dances. At the beginning of the 20th century elite went to "high tea" in hotels. Many hotels in London still arrange tea ceremonies.

8. It is impolite to offer only one type of tea to guests or partners at a meeting. Offer the person you want to treat several flavors and varieties to choose from - this is how you show respect.

9. The British break for tea up to seven times a day! As we already know, with a cup of tea, subjects of the British crown meet the dawn, while away the time until dinner, have fun at the end of the day in a pleasant company, or, secluded, looking for inspiration.

10. If you are invited to a classic British tea party in an aristocratic company, remember: it is not customary to dilute freshly brewed tea in a cup with either boiling water, let alone cool water. And so that the tea does not turn out too strong, it is enough to withstand it for 4-5 minutes. Green tea, by the way, is brewed for 2-3 minutes with water at a lower temperature (60-70 degrees, unlike boiling water, which is used to brew black).

And how well do you understand tea traditions? Test yourself with our easy quiz! Your knowledge will help you get a nice bonus in the form of a discount on the purchase of tea in

The tradition of drinking tea up to 6 times a day appeared in Great Britain in the 17th century, when King Charles II married the Portuguese princess Katharina, the owner of several tea plantations, an obvious fan of this drink and just beautiful woman. How have the tea traditions of England changed over several centuries, and has this drink ceased to be so revered?

What does english mean

At the very beginning of the era of the conquest of the British by tea, this drink was available only to the king, his courtiers and the highest-ranking nobility. It was drunk in beautiful and fragile tea sets, usually with milk and a serving of sweets. Today, English tea is a kind of quality mark that defines the best product of its kind. It so happened historically that the British began to consume the most tea of ​​all other nations, which means that its supplies to the country were huge.

The fact that the British government was the owner of many colonies, including India and Ceylon, the best regions for growing tea, contributed to the widespread use of tea in the country. Of course, at first the product was brought from China, but after the termination of economic ties, the government had to develop the tea business in India.

Exquisite thin-walled porcelain is ideal for English tea drinking

Many famous Britons were the owners of extensive tea plantations in India and Ceylon and supplied different varieties of this product to its homeland, where it was packaged, blended and sold. The most elite is still being delivered to the court of the English queen. There is even a truly English variety of tea, which is called Earl Grey, in honor of the earl and diplomat Charles Grey, whose descendants are still engaged in the tea business today.

It is in the south-west of the country in the family estate of Grays that several hundred tea trees grow today, from which about 10 tons of quality leaves are harvested per year. It is highly valued at home and even exported abroad.

The British prefer traditional black tea, considering it harmonious in taste, invigorating and giving strength. Chinese green tea seems weak and tasteless to them. In the country, until recently, it was considered the norm to have tea breaks 6 times a day. Today, most young people prefer coffee, although the tradition of afternoon tea is still preserved.

The ceremony now can only be called a tea party at five-o'clock, which is still relevant in this country. This is a long pause with all the attributes that require a procedure. At this time, the Queen of England herself drinks tea.

For the ceremony you need:

• tea porcelain service;
• loose or bagged black tea;
• milk jug with milk or cream;
• spoons;
• white and brown sugar;
• sweets;
• a jug of boiling water.

The tea ceremony was popular both at court and among the common people, mostly women.

To brew classic black tea, tea leaves or put in a preheated teapot at the rate of 1 tsp. for 1 person plus an additional 1 spoon for a whole teapot. That is, if the kettle is designed for 5 cups, it should contain 6 teaspoons of tea leaves. If a packaged product is used to prepare a drink, most often they take a special one, in large filter bags designed for a kettle. These are usually used in professional cafes or at tastings and contain tea High Quality crushed to the optimum fraction.

Next, pour into the teapot hot water from a jug, close the lid and put a special fabric “cap” on top for better tea infusion. It will be ready in 3 minutes. Since in the classical version in the ceremony the drink is drunk with milk, first it is poured into cups in a warm form from the milk jug, then tea is added, sugar is added. Water from the jug is again added to the teapot with tea leaves and covered with a lid.

The tea used in England is always very strong, you can drink it in the morning to wake up and clear your head - this is a real source of vigor and strength. A less strong product is often consumed throughout the day, usually in sachets to save time.

There is one amendment. In this country, tea bags are not considered low quality products. There are many well-known brands here that pack really selected tea leaves in filter bags, which are pre-crushed in order to get a quick brew in a cup.

In the morning they usually drink English breakfast tea. During the day, tea with bergamot is relevant in the country, which is also considered truly English, because it was the British tea growers who adopted the technique of flavoring tea leaves with natural bergamot flowers from the Chinese. In the evening, it is customary to drink the most aristocratic of all types of tea, which has a delicate taste and aroma. The traditional times for tea drinking are:

• 06.00;
• 08.00;
• 11.00;
• 13.00;
• 15.00;
• 20.00.

The first tea can be taken even in bed before breakfast, the second - during breakfast. The third, fourth and fifth between meals, and the sixth at dinner. The British never drink tea on the run - this is an obligatory full-fledged pause. If you don't do it right, it's better than nothing.

Varieties and brands

Today in Russia there are not so many English brands of tea, although names like "English Royal", "English Breakfast", "Earl Gray" can be found on every second package. Some of this is not a scam. English tea No. 1 is Ahmad, who leads many ratings of a truly high-quality drink made in compliance with all traditions.

Ahmad "English Breakfast" - the leader of most tea ratings

Other brands include:

• twinings;
• Tetley;
• Newby;
• Brooke bond.

Among the highest quality truly English products that can be bought in special shops in London are PG Tips, Taylors of Harrogate, Yorkshiretea, Typhoo and Whittard of Chelsea. This is not just an elite product, it can be taken as an expensive present to the most demanding people.

If we talk about the varieties of tea that are popular in the UK, we can note:

• English Breakfast - the strongest and richest of all, with a sweet aftertaste, it is drunk in the morning, it consists of a mixture of tea leaves from Kenya, India (Assam) and Sri Lanka;
• English Afternoon - less strong, consisting of the leaves of the Darjeeling and Assam varieties from India, it is drunk during the day;
• Yunnan and Lapsang Souchong are varieties of tea with unusual notes in taste, they drink it in the evening. The first has a bright nutty flavor, the second gives a hint of smoke.

The tea market today is really rich in such a product as English tea. Buyers tend to believe that it will be tasty and strong, as befits a product so revered in its homeland. If you add a properly arranged tea party to it, it will be so.