Western Tea Customs

Almost every western country has some sort of customs or traditional way of preparing tea, but the most prevalent custom was created by the English. They have made making and serving tea a true art form with many traditions and rituals.

Tea is such an important part of English society that it would be expected to be a part of very early history. It was not. Catherine of Braganza, Portuguese consort of England’s King Charles II, introduced tea to England in the mid 1600’s. Tea was affordable only to royalty and the rich. Soon East India Trade Company began to import tea regularly and even the working class could afford it. Tea rapidly replaced ale as England’s national beverage.

The seventh Duchess of Bedford, Anne, began the custom of having a cup of tea every day. Dinner was usually served at eight or nine o’clock at night. Anne was prone to low sugar attacks so in order to prevent them she had her kitchen staff serve small treats in the late afternoon. This was called afternoon tea and was adopted by many British households as a normal thing to do. Even the most modest household would provide some sort of beverage and nourishment in the late afternoon and called it tea.

The English tea evolved into two different customs: high and low tea. High tea was enjoyed by the working class and it was almost the same as dinner. Food included meats and cheeses instead of just the small sandwiches and sweets. High tea was served around six in the evening, a time more suitable for those that missed regular tea at three or four o’clock because they were busy working.

Low tea is the original afternoon tea. There are several kinds of low tea. Cream tea serves scones with jam and clotted cream with tea. Light tea includes the scones and adds pastries. Full tea adds sandwiches to the whole thing.

Tea gatherings evolved into a highly desirable social event where women met other women and were eligible women met eligible men. The best china was used and there was always a cup and saucer with a tea pot made of bone china or crockery. It was proper to hold the saucer in the left hand at waist level and bring the cup to the lips with the right hand. It was improper to slurp tea or to use a spoon or saucer to drink the tea.

Making tea became a ritual that rivals any Japanese tea ceremony. Water was boiled in a kettle and some was poured into a teapot, swirled around and poured out. This warmed the pot. One teaspoon of loose tea per person was added to the pot then boiled water poured in. It was steeped about five to ten minutes being kept warm with a fabric covering called a tea cozy.

Custom dictates that the hostess sits at the head of the table and serves all her guests. She would add the sugar cubes, milk or lemon slices. She would also offer her guests the treats she had available for the tea.

Tea is a favorite custom in many places on a daily basis or for special times. Teas are given for birthdays, Mother’s Day, to celebrate spring or the end of a school year. Whenever they are given they are a reminder of that more gentile era and the western custom of giving a tea.

Sarah Page is a writer for Unity Teapots, a specialty Asian teapot store for cast iron teapots and Japanese tea sets.