Any time is tea time

Answers to life's most difficult questions can be found in a cup of tea.

"It's true. In any crisis we turn to tea. In any time of celebration or commiseration, we turn to tea. It gives comfort, solace, strength. It has that aaahhh factor!"
– Jane Pettigrew, international tea consultant and tea writer

The British are champion tea drinkers. According to the UK Tea Council, 165 million cups of brew are consumed daily in the United Kingdom. When you compare this figure to 70 million cups of coffee, it is clear to see why the UK is associated with 'a good old cuppa'. For many of the country's visitors, the UK conjures images of tea-parties with scones and cakes, rather than of landmarks like Big Ben or the Houses of Parliament.

According to international tea consultant and tea writer Jane Pettigrew, tea has a 350-year history in the UK. At one time tea was very expensive and so was a luxury beverage, drunk only by the royal family, aristocracy and very well paid civil servants. "At first, tea was associated with wealthy living," she says. "Afternoon tea started in an aristocratic home and was always an elegant, upper class occasion, which was associated with stately homes, royal palaces, finery, expensive tableware and good breeding."

This trend continued into the middle of the 18th century. Due to taxes imposed by the government, the prices of tea were fluctuating. When the tax fell, sales doubled. Over time,
as tea became more affordable, it also became more and more popular, gradually replacing ale and beer at breakfast. In the early 20th century, while the upper classes were enjoying elegant afternoon tea parties, the working classes made the tea-meal their own with what was termed as 'high tea'.

This was an evening meal that was ready on the table for workers when they came home from 10 and 12 hour shifts in the mines, mills and factories. It consisted of strong tea and hearty, hot food.

By the middle of the 20th century, there could be no doubt about the importance of the beverage to British people. During the Second World War, the Ministry of Food introduced a 56 gram rationing to ensure everyone had a fair amount. This equated to around two to three weak cups a day. Judith Barton, now 63, was 12 at the time, and remembers when rationing was imposed.

"It brought more panic to my family than the butter or sugar ration," explains Barton.

"My beloved late mother was continuously drinking tea throughout the day and it took her months to get used to it. She was a happy-go-lucky person who never complained about anything. She complained about the tea ration for a while though."

Rationing by no means diminished the British enthusiasm for tea, and when it was eventually stopped following the war, the 'cuppa' was still Britain's number one hot drink. "Tea is still the nation's favourite beverage, because it is associated with home, comfort, safety, security, reward, relaxation and welcome," says Pettigrew. "It contains theanine, which is an amino acid that contains a magical ability to calm when you are stressed, warm when you're cold and cool when you're warm! It's the best pick-you-up – much better than coffee could ever be," she says. Not only is tea still the nation's favourite hot drink, but the popular drink is now enjoying positive media coverage. Medical studies have concluded that tea offers many health benefits due to its being a good source of flavanoids – a group of compounds that contain powerful antioxidant properties. Studies suggest that as part of a healthy lifestyle, four cups a day could help protect the human body against the damaging effect of free radicals.

These health benefits mean that not only are the younger generations of tea-drinkers enjoying this beverage due to its social significance, but also in pursuit of a healthy lifestyle.

Emily Johnson, a 28-year-old tea fan, explains that while her tea drinking habits originated from her family enjoying the beverage together on average four to five times a day, the health benefits spur her to drink even more. "It's true, we are a nation of tea lovers," she says. "For as long as I remember my mum has always boiled the kettle in response to anything, from a disaster to a celebration. But now that it has also been proven to be healthy, I try to make sure I have at least six to seven cups a day… sometimes even more!"

With the rise of the coffee-oriented café lifestyle, is the British tea habit in any danger of diminishing? "The rise of the coffee bar has not meant that we drink less tea," answers Pettigrew. "Tea is making a huge comeback.

Not just traditional black tea, but also expensive loose leaf teas, white tea, green tea, and flavoured tea.

"These types of tea are appealing to young people who see it as chic and trendy. We also have tea bars opening, which is a more modern take on the tea room," she continues.

Fourteen-year-old tea lover Laura Daniels agrees that tea will always be the nation's number one hot beverage. "It is part of our British identity. We've even studied the history of tea at school. We should be proud of it. I'm sure of the fact that tea will always be the nation's favourite drink."