| There is nothing more quintessentially English than a | | | | High Tea. It started as an evening meal for laborers |
| good cup of tea. In fact, along with bulldogs, bowler | | | | and typically might include meat and potatoes (really |
| hats and red telephone boxes, tea drinking has come | | | | more of a dinner than tea). These days, you may |
| to symbolize the very essence of the British | | | | enjoy High Tea at two in the afternoon. It is a fairly |
| experience. When traveling to London you may want | | | | elaborate meal with cake, biscuits and pastries. |
| to indulge yourself in this genteel ritual, here are a few | | | | Tea etiquette: |
| tips to ensure that you will have a memorable tea | | | | Mostly followed during Victorian days, it still has its |
| drinking experience. | | | | importance in some Etiquette and English Schools and |
| First a bit of history about the English Tea trade: | | | | circles, here are a few light hearted tips. |
| Tea came to Britain in the 16th century when Dutch | | | | London's Ritz serves one of the best London |
| merchants first imported this Asian beverage from | | | | Afternoon tea |
| China. The Chinese had been drinking tea for centuries | | | | When sitting down to tea, place your purse on your lap |
| (with limited supplies of clean water, boiling it with | | | | or behind you on the back of your chair. Unfold your |
| aromatic leaves was a good way to ensure a safe | | | | napkin and place it in your lap (should you need to |
| and tasty drink). | | | | leave the table, place your napkin on your chair). Put |
| By the 17th century, tea drinking was in fashion | | | | sugar in your cup first, then a lemon slice if you wish. |
| throughout Europe and British entrepreneurs were | | | | Milk goes in after the tea is poured. Lemon and milk |
| quick to capitalize on the trend. The famous Twinings | | | | are never used together and cream is never added to |
| company established a warehouse in London in 1706 | | | | tea. Do not stir in a circular motion - gently move the |
| and is still in business today. | | | | tea back and forth with your spoon. Never leave your |
| Twinings: London's oldest Tea shop | | | | spoon in your teacup - leave it on the saucer behind |
| The distinctive clipper ships are a product of the British | | | | the cup. Split scones horizontally with your knife and |
| tea trade. Built for speed, these sailing vessels would | | | | add cream and lemon curds to you plate. Spread the |
| stock up on Chinese tea and race home to be the first | | | | cream and curds on your scone before each bite. |
| with the new harvest. | | | | It is a misconception that polite tea drinkers extend |
| The most famous clipper of all, the Cutty Sark, has | | | | their little fingers when holding a cup (although it is a |
| been preserved and can be visited in Greenwich just | | | | good practice to handle food with only three fingers). |
| east of London. | | | | Enjoying tea in London |
| Fortnum and Mason is another institution which opened | | | | First be aware that no self-respecting tearoom will use |
| just a year after Twinings, in 1707, selling to the royal | | | | tea bags, always loose leaves. |
| household and the local gentry. When in London, visit | | | | When in London you may want to indulge in the |
| "Fortnums", as they are known, and see the liveried | | | | tradition of tea at the Ritz - the world famous hotel |
| shop assistants. | | | | that overlooks Green Park and Buckingham Palace in |
| In fact, one of London's best-loved institutions also has | | | | the distance. It gained popularity in English society in the |
| it roots in the tea trade. In 1834, Henry Charles Harrod | | | | early 20th century as a place where ladies could enjoy |
| opened a tea wholesaler in the East End. Today | | | | a meal without a chaperon. These days the Ritz |
| Harrod's in London's Knightsbridge is one of the world's | | | | welcomes everybody. The tea sandwiches and cakes |
| most famous department stores. | | | | are world famous! |
| The world's taste for tea made many men rich and | | | | Served in the spectacular Palm Court, Ritz Traditional |
| helped establish Britain as an international commercial | | | | Afternoon Tea offers a choice of several varieties of |
| powerhouse. And, of course, where there is money to | | | | tea, finely cut sandwiches, freshly baked scones, jam |
| be made there is money to be taxed: it was Britain's | | | | and clotted cream and a range of delicate pastries, |
| taxation of tea in the 1700's that helped fuel the | | | | combine to make for an unforgettable afternoon. |
| American independence movement! | | | | Although there are five sittings every day, booking at |
| English tea times: | | | | least twelve weeks in advance is absolutely essential, |
| In Britain there are different tea drinking occasions | | | | especially for weekend bookings. There is a formal |
| associated with different times of day. | | | | dress code in its public areas. Ritz London |
| - For instance, elevenses is a morning tea comparable | | | | The English Tea Room of Brown's Hotel in Albemarle |
| to a coffee break. Low tea is an afternoon meal that | | | | Street, Mayfair serves an excellent Afternoon tea. |
| may include sandwiches and scones (the name | | | | This fine, traditional hotel was founded in 1837 by |
| originates from the habit of enjoying the meal in low | | | | James Brown, butler to Lord Byron and his wife, who |
| armchairs!) The famous English cream tea may | | | | was Lady Byron's maid. Their hotel quickly became a |
| feature scones and clotted cream, marmalade and | | | | meeting place for the local nobility and today is |
| lemon curd. Royale Tea is a social occasion that | | | | frequented by a wide clientele carrying on the tradition |
| includes champagne or sherry served before the tea. | | | | of enjoying English afternoon tea. |
| Perhaps the most well known tea drinking occasion | | | | Curious about tea? |