Why do the British like drinking tea? And who drinks it best?

Babbar86 Level 1

April 7, 2017, 12:42 am

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Why do the British like drinking tea? And who drinks it best?

It's always fascinated me as to why the British love drinking tea. And, maybe there is a long tradition of tea drinking there, while coffee is more popular in America and other places. Tea time seems to be more a daily ritual, than just drinking liquid from a cup. And, I think it's about the same for the Japanese tea ceremony, also called "Way of the Tea". A not to be missed event. A chance to socialize and talk. If you're British, how do you enjoy your tea time? And, how does your tea or tea time ritual compare to other cultures?

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Shortie861

Shortie861

I am British I I love drinking tea. It's something I drink every day myself however I could not tell you why we drink it so much. Over in England we do afternoon tea which is cups of tea with sandwiches, cakes, scones with cream and jam. It's something that is often done on a weekend. I remember when I was a kid and we used to go to my Grandma's we used to do afternoon tea and that was what we had, we had sandwiches and cakes all laid out and we had tea. It was just nice and relaxing to have something so simple to look forward to.

8 years ago

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ballyhara

ballyhara

This is a tradition pretty well known worldwide. To me, is really interesting, due to the fact that I live in a tropical country where all you can find is coffee everywhere. In fact, I remember to drink coffee since I was a kid, not very healthy for sure, but it was a family thing. I've never had the chance to experience an afternoon tea, but I guess it must be really nice, to share with your family, in a calm way, talking while you enjoy a good cup of tea and sandwiches.

7 years ago

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Happyflowerlady

Happyflowerlady

For many years, coffee was a drink that was banned in many countries, and England was one of those countries. So, while men might go to a coffee house and drink coffee and discuss politics, it was never brewed in one's home like it is now. Since tea was universally accepted as a drink that was fine for everyone, and could be made at home without any special knowledge or preparation like coffee needed, it remained being the preferred beverage in many countries.
While I look forward to having coffee in the morning, that is actually the only time that I drink coffee. Here in the southern United States, tea is mostly drank cold and sweetened with sugar, and it is referred to as "Sweet Tea". Although people here do drink hot tea, it is not a popular beverage like hot coffee or iced tea is.
I don't often drink iced tea either; but I will sometimes have a hot cup of tea in the evening, especially in colder weather. When I have tea, I sweeten it and sometimes I add either lemon, or cream, depending on which one I feel like having in my tea.

7 years ago

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Authord

Authord

I’m not British, but i love tea as well,.it helps to improve appearance Tea can become an incredibly potent aspect of your beauty regimen. one of tea's greatest benefits come from its natural ability to hydrate our bodies – as opposed to coffee, which promotes the opposite because it's a diuretic. That's why you find yourself constantly running to the bathroom after a nice “trenta” from Starbucks.Tea also contains polyphenols, which are molecules that bear strong anti-aging qualities. And if you have acne, you're in luck: Tea also naturally lowers stress levels and is a cortisol antagonist. Drinking tea will prevent future breakouts.

7 years ago

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felabruno

felabruno

Tea is very popular in Eastern Europe, in places like Russia or in northern Africa. There are many kinds of tea so there's a lot to choose from, there's green, white, black and red tea and it can be flavored differently or come from different countries. Tea isn't as bitter as coffee and you don't need a coffee machine to make it. I think it also cheaper to buy good tea comparing it to buying good coffee.

7 years ago

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Barida

Barida

I do not think taking tea is something that is peculiar to people living in Europe because here in Africa, Nigeria to be precise, we enjoy taking tea, especially during the rainy season when the weather is always cold. It gives one that special warmness of the body and refreshes you to look sharp and vibrant while working during the day.

I, for instance, take tea during the rainy season, which happens to be the season we are in now because without taking enough tea, it makes me look dull and not sharp while performing my task at the office. I even have my tea cup and powdered tea at the office that makes it possible for me to take tea whenever I like.

7 years ago

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augusta

augusta

I noticed it too,my cousin whenever she is back in the country can drink tea for the whole of England.She takes almost all the time.I just want to believe they're just used to it maybe from infancy, You know how it is when you are used to things

7 years ago

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jaymish

jaymish

I think tea is soothing. That' s why when someone is upset, the British especially insist on making them a cup of tea. For those strict tea drinkers,if you miss your tea on any given day , you almost always get a headache.My thoughts are that it has some type of addictive caffeine. To me it's even more lethal than coffee. For the coffee drinkers, if you don't have your coffee you know you can survive. Not so for the strict tea drinkers.

7 years ago

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Heatman6190

Heatman6190

Well, I think it's in their culture to drink tea but who says the Brits take tea or enjoy it drinking it more than any other people or culture. Personally, I enjoy drinking tea so much that it's always a routine feeding for me to take tea every morning and night.

I am from Nigeria and that I'm from such a hot region part of the world compared to the west, it doesn't have any effect or influence on my preference of always drinking tea.

Green tea is my favorite tea because of the medicinal value that comes with green tea. I used to have stomach upset but green tea absolutely put an end to it. I have also taken black tea but it was just once, I loved the flavor and taste but before I could get a good stock of it, I couldn't see it anymore.

7 years ago

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fulstaf

fulstaf

They love tea more then coffee, cause it's more relaxing, even if they were addicted to coffee they would drink it with the same attitude.

7 years ago

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Barida

Barida

I'm not a fan of taking coffee because of the addictive nature of doing so. I enjoy tea for it is one of the way that I keep my mind and body in good condition while working on the internet. I'm not British anyways, but I'm in love with tea.

7 years ago

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dzannerz

dzannerz

Well as for my opinion if Bristish loves tea it is because they want hot drinks than cold drinks and in my opinion China is the country who loves tea.

7 years ago

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Barida

Barida

We can't say China or Britain alone for many other people in other regions enjoy taking tea because of the refreshing nature of doing so. So, I think taking tea has got to do with those who enjoys it and nothing more.

7 years ago

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ColdFlameChris

ColdFlameChris

I'm not a tea lover but if I get sick and this turns out to be a recommendation, I can do that. Tea drinking for me is like I'm just drinking a hot water with a little flavor in it. The best tea drinker for me would be the Chinese people because I'm fascinated in their way of drinking tea and what's behind of their culture.

7 years ago

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tophew

tophew

i am not a British but as a half Chinese blood, i love tea it cleanses away all the toxic from our body it also helps as circulate the blood flow. and i greatly salute western British who loves tea even thou it tasteless but still they like it.

7 years ago

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Blank629

Blank629

Tea is good to our health. So I am amazed that British has this kind of tradition. I am not a British but I want to try their culture and also adopt it. Maybe in this way, I can know why they love drinking tea.

7 years ago

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wallet

wallet

As you said there British like to drink tea because it is a tradition, they grow up drinking tea and having their tea time. Personally, I drink tea only when I am agitated or I feel having a cold or something.In the rest, I prefer to drink a good vine or a cold beer in the summer days,

7 years ago

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DenisP

DenisP

You know, this is something that I've never really thought about. I know about the stereotype that the British love drinking tea, but I never thought about where the tradition originated. I have something to look up later. It's kind of like how Turkish people are known for their tradition with coffee.

In any case, I really like Japanese tea ceremonies, as you had mentioned. It's a really meditative practice that helps ground you in the present moment.

Inspired by the Japanese, I myself actually have my own little tea ceremony every morning, though to a much less formal degree. I simply sit down with my legs crossed, light a tea candle, and mindfully sip on a mug of green tea while being aware of my breath. It's less of a tea ceremony and more of a sort of "tea meditation."

7 years ago

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