There isn’t anything more traditionally English than evening tea, which makes Public Tea Day, April 21, a stunningly well known event in the country. This affection for tea goes back hundreds of years and this affection appears to just get more grounded with time! Public Tea Day’s motto is “Blend More. Accomplish More.” The vision is to move unique minutes with tea. Working with an assortment of accomplice organizations consistently, they want to bring tea consumers, tea servers and the whole tea industry together. Thus, snatch your cuppa and get comfortable for a perused on the most proficient method to commend this really splendid occasion.
HISTORY OF NATIONAL TEA DAY
There’s more to National Tea Day than just a celebration. It’s a movement that offers chances for next generations of tea enthusiasts to learn about and value the tea industry. April 21 was selected as the founding date of the organization in 2016 because it is also Queen Elizabeth’s birthday! Is there a more British day than this one?
As is widely known, tea originated in China, but Catherine of Braganza, a Portuguese woman, is credited with popularizing the beverage in England. Charles II and Catherine were married in 1662. Several boxes of loose leaf tea were part of her dowry, which she continued to consume daily in the United Kingdom. The practice of drinking tea was rapidly embraced by the royal court, even among the nobility.
Though the purpose of National Tea Day is to encourage people worldwide to sip tea more frequently and all year round, the iconic British afternoon tea comes to mind first. “Tea” can refer to a meal or a beverage. In the late 1840s, Anna Russell, the Duchess of Bedford, enjoyed afternoon tea with her friends as a way to ease her hunger between the two daily meals at the time.
Around the world, tea comes in a variety of ways. While South Asian nations frequently produce “chai”—a blend of spices cooked in milk and water—green tea is more common in China and Japan. Even a pink tea, referred to as “Kashmiri tea,” is offered at weddings in various parts of Pakistan and Afghanistan’s Himalayan highlands in the winter. The traditional British cup of tea is a blend of black tea, boiled water, and a small amount of milk.
National Tea Day celebrates the world’s second favorite drink — only to water — so heavily stemmed in everyday culture so each of us can learn and revel in its drinking experience!
“There are few hours in life more agreeable than the hour dedicated to the ceremony known as afternoon tea.”
Henry James, author and nominee for a Nobel Prize in Literature
NATIONAL TEA DAY TIMELINE
2017
Celebrating British tea
The first Fes-Tea-Val is held, where companies showcased the latest in tea trends.
2005
Diamond studded tea bag
Popular British tea brand, PG Tips, celebrates its 75th birthday by commissioning a jeweler to make the most expensive tea bag studded with 280 diamonds.
1707
Tea in department stores
Upscale department store, Fortnum & Mason, began a magnificent relationship with tea which continues today.
2737 BC
Invention of tea
Chinese legend credits the mythical figure, Shennong, as the inventor of tea.
NATIONAL TEA DAY FAQS
Do British people drink tea all day?
More than 300 years after Catherine’s introduction, it’s estimated that the British now drink about 165 million cups of tea every day.
Why do the British put milk in tea?
During the 17th and 18th centuries, milk was added to cool the liquid and stop cups from cracking as tea used to be served in delicate china cups.
What time do British have tea?
Traditionally, for some people still, meals are called at specific times. Breakfast is between 7:00 to 9:00 in the morning, while dinner, the main meal, is between 12:00 and 1:00 p.m. Tea begins anywhere from 5:30 to 6:30 at night.
HOW TO CELEBRATE NATIONAL TEA DAY
- Host or join an afternoon teaShare your love and knowledge of tea with friends, especially those who have not been exposed to the vast variety of tea and its rich culture. You could even join National Tea Day’s monthly #VirtualParTea.
- Attend the FestivalThe founders of National Tea Day hold an annual “Fes-Tea-Val”, bringing the best of the tea industry under one umbrella. The popular gathering showcases the latest brews, the master mixologists of “experTeas”, and the newest tea making and tea serving gadgets.
- Learn tea etiquetteJust in case you are ever invited to afternoon tea with the Queen of England, you want to be prepared. Steeped in tradition, drinking tea comes with its own set of rules. Don’t worry, we’ve started with a few tips for you below.
5 TEA ETIQUETTE TIDBITS
- Pouring the teaThe host should pour everyone’s tea and the teapot should remain on the table with the spout facing the person who poured.
- To dunk or not to dunkUnless situated in an informal setting, it is inappropriate to dunk a biscuit into tea.
- Food presentationA tiered cake stand should be used when food is served with tea. The top tier is usually filled with scones, the middle for sandwiches and the bottom comprises sweets, pastries, and desserts. Don’t forget the order of eating, which is sandwiches, scones, and finally, sweets.
- Mind the napkinNapkins are placed to the left of the plate with the folded edge on the left and open edge closest to the plate. Place a napkin back to the left of the plate — never on the chair — when momentarily leaving the table.
- How to stir teaStarting from the 12 o’clock position in the cup, slowly fold the tea with a spoon from 12 to 6, back and forth about 2 to 3 times. The spoon should be resting on the saucer to the right of the cup when it is not being used.
WHY WE LOVE NATIONAL TEA DAY
- The choices are endlessThe blends of teas are endless, but they usually fall into main types such as black, green and white, all coming from the same plant. Differences in these teas are created by how the leaf is processed, as well as the conditions and geography of where the plant is grown. Additionally, there is also herbal tea which is, basically, infusions of other types of plants such as peppermint or chamomile. Setting out to try these many tea offerings is far from boring!
- Humans are social beingsTea is as much of a culture, or an experience, as it is a drink. The best way to enjoy tea is in a gathering of friends and family which is one of the reasons for its popularity and our love affair with it.
- Tea offers tons of health benefitsBlack and green tea is found to be heart healthy. This is because tea can reduce bad cholesterol levels and improves blood vessel function. Not only this, the popular drink is hydrating since 90% of tea is water. It also contains antioxidants and vitamin H which strengthens the immune system!
LET’S GET SOCIAL
Here are some special hashtags for the day.
#tea #British #hot
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