3. Tea arrives in Great Britain
In 1597 tea was first mentioned in English
culture.
At that time special ships, called clippers,
carried tea from China to Britain.
4. In 1657 Caraway's Coffee House in London was the first place in Britain
to advertise tea. The advertisements said that tea was an amazing
medicine to help all illnesses. Coffee houses became men's clubs, so
women did not go there.
5. Anna, the 17th Duchess of Bedford
• Anna was a lifelong friend
of Queen Victoria.
• Anna often had tea in her
room in the afternoon with
some food.
• She invited friends for a
cup of tea at 5 o’clock and
it soon became a very
popular tradition among
the upper classes.
6. In the 18th century tea was very expensive.
The way you served tea and the things you
used to serve it, showed your position in society.
7. TEA HOUSES AND TEA DANCES
In 1717 Thomas Twining opened his first tea house where
women could go to buy tea in London.
8. There were two types of tea-drinking: “Low tea” and “High tea”.
The royalty and the upper classes had “low tea” because they sat at low
tables.
“Low tea” usually consisted of hot scones, cakes, cookies, sweets, light
sandwiches and sometimes seasonal fruits.
“High tea” was for workers and it was a light meal with meat or cheese.
9. In the 18th century there were big tea gardens. As well as tea there was
dancing and entertainment. The tea gardens were a good place to be
together with all the family.
In 1864 the manager of a bread company opened the first 'tea room'
selling tea and cakes. It was very popular with women of all ages.
10. The tea table was covered
with a pretty table cloth
with matching napkins.
There was a china tea
service, teaspoons, a
lemon dish and fork, some
milk, sugar and a vase of
flowers.
Tea with milk is called
“English tea”.
11. and you can have tea at
any time of the day, not
just in the afternoon!
In many cities afternoon
tea is becoming popular
again with a large choice
of 'tea menus',