Tea in the United Kingdom
The British tea culture originated in the 17th century and is known far beyond the United Kingdom also. The United Kingdom lies with an annual consumption of 2.27 kilos of tea per capita world ranked ninth Tea drinking is part of the typical British way of life and is an integral part of the drinking culture of the British. Above all, the afternoon tea ( tea time ) is often celebrated and served according to certain rules.
History
England began in the mid -17th century so, first importing tea from China. He was so expensive that it was only affordable for the upper class and was considered a status symbol. Queen Anne (1665-1714) promoted the popularity of tea drinking by drinking better tea for breakfast instead of the usual warm beer. By 1700 there were around 500 coffee houses in England tea. After 1750, the first tea gardens ( tea gardens ) were opened in which tea was drunk outdoors. While women's access to the coffee houses were denied them the tea gardens were open. Here orchestra played frequently on the dance floor. That was the beginning of the tea dances. It was not until 1783, the high Teesteuern were lowered, the middle class who had been drinking coffee until then could afford tea. A little later came the families of the workers. The trading monopoly owned the East India Company. In the 18th century, Britain became the center of European tea trade. To prevent the steady exchange loss by tea imports, the United Kingdom began in the 19th century in order to grow tea in its colonies, where he thrived also very good.
It is also narrated, it writes the biographer of Charles II ( King of England) Antonia Fraser, the request of Catherine Henrietta of Braganza, Infanta of Portugal, after a cup of tea and the answer of Charles II: "We do not drink tea in England. But maybe some ale will do " ( In England we do not drink tea. Perhaps a beer would be enough? ). Indeed, it was Catherine of Braganza, who brought the tea to England and the English love taught to tea. Because they liked to drink tea, tea was introduced in large quantities from India to England, where for soon to that tea the drink of the finer company was.
Boston Tea Party
The British immigrants had spread tea consumption in North America, and the New England states in relation to the tea directly from the mother country Great Britain. A further significant increase in the tax on tea led on December 16, 1773 for the Boston Tea Party, in the disguised as Indians, outraged merchants and other citizens outraged the British merchant ships in Boston Harbor and threw 342 crates of tea stormed into the sea water in protest. That was one of many crises that eventually led to the American Revolutionary War.
Tea
The British style tea is similar to the East Frisian. Britons drink almost exclusively black tea, preferably unaromatisiert, although the famous Earl Grey tea is named after a British. Preference is given to vigorous varieties, not necessarily the highest quality. The tea leaves are placed loosely into the pot and scalded with boiling water, where they remain, so that the tea is gradually getting stronger. For this reason, hot water is sometimes additionally watered again. In addition, most Brits drink their tea with milk, because that it is milder. The question of whether first the tea is poured or the milk in the UK is a dispute between the respective supporters of the principles Milk- in-first ( Mif ) and Tea -in-first ( Tif ) - According to Michael Bentley from London's " Ritz " to Queen Elizabeth II, for example, a Mif - follower, according to other sources, a Tif - follower. Previously Mif served to protect fragile china cups. Effects on the taste, it should not be.
Tea bread
As a tea bread ( tea bread ) or crumpets ( tea cake ) are referred to in the United Kingdom, all Hefegebäcke, which are usually served with tea, including various flavored breads. The traditional Scottish shortbread is made from shortcrust pastry and therefore is not among them. The most common types are: