On-British-tea-culture

On British Tea Culture

21713240 肖宏Which country can be called as the biggest tea drinking nation? China or

Japan?Actually,the true answer is Turkey. As we all know, tea is regarded as a traditional drink in China and it was planted in China since more than two thousand years ago. Nowadays, a huge number of Chinese people are still fond of drinking tea and tea has been regarded as an indispensable part in Chinese people’slife. However, from the survey above we can conclude that tea is also very popular in many countries far from China. Among them, there is a country where many people form a habit of drinking tea. And tea even becamea part of their life. The country is Britain. As a western country, you may wonder why the country has a nearly crazy feeling to tea. According to a recent survey, in Britain each person consume 2.53kg tea every year. Recently, President Xi Jinping pay a state visit to Britain, and Prince Charles and his wife even organized a British afternoon tea for President Xi in their palace. From this detail, we may have some understanding of how they love tea.

Tea culture in China and Japan is familiar by many people. But tea culture in Britain is also of great value. To Chinese, drinking tea may be a common thing. However, to Britain, tea had been a treasure that can be enjoyed by noble.

In the 16th century, some records about Chinese tea had appeared in the Europeans’ writings. Firstly, Chin ese tea came into European market by Portugal and Netherlands through trades. Since 17th century, many western countries had joined the ranks of Chinese tea consumptions. However, through many years, only British leaded a trend of afternoon tea. And only Britain formed its own tea culture, which is totally different from that in China.The fragrant of tea is full of Britain. Even today, the British tea culture is a symbol of the characteristics of the United Kingdom, its temperament is noble and elegant.

So why Britain people formed the habit of drinking tea and what is the differences between China and Britain in tea drinking?

In Victorian Era(1837-1901), tea culture developed to its peak and formed its own style, which is quite different from the East and infl uenced people’s lives in every class of the United Kingdom. There are three reasons:

Firstly, before Victorian Era, tea in Britain mainly imported from China. And limited by the quantities and distance, price of tea could only be a treasure enjoyed by noble. In 1834, one of the British colonies, India planted black tea successfully. Besides India, Ceylon and Kenya also exported tea to Britain. Therefore, tea price in Britain started to fall sharply, which gave great benefits to the popularity of tea. Since then, every class in Britain had the chance to get a taste of tea. And tea become a part in Britain’s life.

Secondly, great social economic booms brought by industrial revolution laid a solid foundation for the popularity of tea. During this period, with the improvement of people’s living conditions, British tea consumption came to its peak. Beside middle class people, common workers paid attentions to drinking tea. Great pressure brought by industrial revolutionimpelled many workers began to drink tea. Because

adding with milk and sugar, tea can be a wonderful refreshment. And the time of drinking tea became a great part for them to relax themselves.

All kinds of machines invented by industrial revolution not only used in the production of tea, nut also used in drinking tea. For examples, a machines called “Teas Lady” is a special tools for drinking morning tea. The great convenience brought by industrial revolution facilitate tea’s population.

Last but not least, the population of afternoon tea on the other hand promoted Britain tea culture.As for afternoon tea, a Britain countess can’t ignored. She is a good friend of Queen Victoria, Anna Mavia. In that time, social dinner often opened after 8 o’clock. There was such a l ong time that many would have a feeling of hungry.

A great idea came up. Anna though why not add an afternoon tea? A pot of black tea with some delicate cookies or cake. The satisfaction brought to people make afternoon tea popular among all classes. Quite different from drinking habits in China, afternoon tea in Britain is a part of leisure and a time with earnest friends. Traditionally, British have four meals in a day, breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea and dinner. From this, we may have a glance on the importance of tea for British.

So, after we get a look into Britain tea culture, what’s the difference between it and Chinese tea culture? Frankly speaking, there are something in common but a lot differences. Due to the humid climate, British prefer to black tea instead of green tea. When they drink tea, they can choose add milk or not according to their preference. Since 20th century, many people like cold drinking tea very much. They would add ice, sugar and milk into tea. Different from Chinese people like to Brew tea leaves with tap water, nowadays, in Britain, people are fond of using tea bag to drink, which is faster and more convenient. As mentioned above, afternoon tea becomes a way to communicate with other friends with cookies or some desserts. In China, people prefer to drink tea in a silent environment, which is quite different.

In western countries, Britain created a brand-new tea culture. It rooted in British culture and influence all classes there. As an exotic drinking, tea in Britain form its own characteristic and was transformed by British culture and conditions. Tea culture in Britain is exquisite and luxury, elegant nut natural, which reflects the unique charm of the culture.

The reason why it can be called as a culture is that with the development of tea drinking, it also promotes not only social life but also national spirit. It affects British people’s families’ life, diets and consumption, social structure and poli tical economy. I think that is why we should focus on British tea culture.

参考文献：

[1] 乐素娜中国茶文化在东西交流中的影响——以英国茶文化为例

[2] 贾雯英国茶文化及其影响