British Tea History: From China to the British Parlor
Tea Arrives in Britain
Tea first arrived in Britain in the early 1600s, brought by Dutch and Portuguese traders. By the 1660s, Catherine of Braganza, the Portuguese wife of King Charles II, had helped popularize tea at the royal court. Initially, tea was expensive and scarce. Only the wealthiest could enjoy it, and it was often kept in decorative caddies to protect it.
Tea has a long and fascinating history in Britain. The story of tea in Britain began in the 17th century when the East India Company, a British trading company, started importing tea from China. The exact date of the first arrival of tea in Britain is a matter of debate. Scholars debate the precise date of tea's first arrival in Britain, but it is generally believed to have occurred in the early 17th century, around 1610 or 1615.
Serving tea became a sign of elegance. Trays with fine porcelain cups, silver spoons, and delicate strainers were displayed in salons, showcasing wealth and style.
Tea Becomes More Available
As time passed, tea gradually became more common. The British East India Company expanded trade, planting tea in India and Ceylon (now Sri Lanka) in the 1800s. This made tea more affordable and accessible.
Before this, tea had been heavily taxed, sometimes at rates exceeding 100%, which led to widespread tea smuggling along the coasts. Smugglers brought cheaper tea to London, making it more accessible to a wider range of people. By the mid-19th century, tea was no longer just for the rich—many households enjoyed it. In other words, tea became part of everyday life for a wider range of people, from the wealthy to the working class.
(For more about the history of tea, see the Historic UK guide to afternoon tea.
Afternoon Tea and High Tea
By the 1800s, tea had grown into an important social ritual. Two traditions emerged: afternoon tea and high tea.
Afternoon tea started with Anna, Duchess of Bedford, in the 1840s. She requested tea and light snacks in the late afternoon to bridge the long gap between lunch and dinner. Soon, she invited friends to join her, and this became a fashionable social event. Delicate sandwiches, scones with clotted cream, and small cakes were served in elegant settings. Afternoon tea became a way for the upper class to socialize in style.
High tea, on the other hand, was for the working and middle classes. It was a more substantial meal, served in the early evening after a long day. Families enjoyed meat pies, bread, cheese, and pickles along with a strong cup of black tea. The “high” refers to the high dining tables where it was eaten, compared to the low lounge tables of afternoon tea.
Even today, the difference is often misunderstood, especially in the U.S., where “high tea” is used to describe a dainty, afternoon-style gathering.
Tea in the Victorian Home
By the Victorian era, tea was central to daily life. Homes often had a special tea set, ready to serve guests at any hour. Offering tea became a sign of hospitality, respect, and care.
Picture a Victorian parlor on a rainy afternoon:
“Would you like a cup of tea, Mrs. Whitmore?” the hostess asked, pouring the amber liquid into a delicate porcelain cup.
“Thank you,” replied her guest. “It smells wonderful. Where did you get your tea caddy?”
Tea was more than a drink—it was conversation, connection, and tradition all in one. It allowed families and friends to gather and share time together politely and respectfully.
Hats, Fashion, and Tea Etiquette
Tea rituals also influenced fashion. Afternoon tea became an occasion to dress up. Women wore day dresses, gloves, and hats. Bonnets and later wide-brimmed hats were part of proper attire, showing respect for the occasion.
At East Angel Harbor Hats, we continue to honor this tradition by crafting elegant tea hats that blend history and style. Wearing a hat at a tea gathering is more than fashion—it’s participating in a long-standing tradition of grace and etiquette.
Tea etiquette itself was important too:
Pour tea for guests first.
Stir gently without clinking the cup.
Keep your napkin in your lap.
Enjoy polite conversation—tea was not for arguments or business deals.
Tea Types and Daily Life
By the 19th century, tea had become a staple of daily life for most households. Black tea with milk became a common choice, while herbal and green teas added variety. Strong, inexpensive black tea, often called “builder’s tea,” became a working-class favorite.
Tea breaks at work became common, showing that this once-exclusive drink had become a shared cultural experience across society.
Why British Tea History Matters Today
Learning about the history of tea helps us understand its role in society. Tea shaped daily routines, influenced manners, and even affected fashion. Hats, gloves, and fine china were all part of the ritual.
At East Angel Harbor Hats, we celebrate this connection between tea and style. Every hat is designed to honor tradition while allowing you to enjoy modern elegance, whether at a tea party or other social event.
Ladies enjoying a cup of tea.
Today, tea remains one of the most consumed beverages in Britain. The traditional black tea with milk, known as "builder's tea," is still a staple, but a wide variety of teas, including herbal and flavored teas, are also enjoyed. Tea continues to be an essential part of British culture and is associated with relaxation, comfort, and socialization. The development of efficient tea transportation networks, such as building railways, facilitated quicker and easier tea distribution throughout Great Britain.
Soon after tea's explosion in popularity, there were significant changes in the world of British cuisine. Strangely enough, these changes concerned the English seeing the light. During the 1800s, gas or oil light was introduced to many homes in England. Before this, there were two main meals during the day. One was breakfast, and the other, significantly larger meal was dinner. Since lighting was poor in the evening, people ate dinner around noon and went to bed relatively early. The advent of artificial lighting allowed people to stay up later and, consequently, to eat later. Fashionable people of the upper classes ate their dinners as late as 9 PM. Though the later hours corresponded with a last start and a later breakfast, this shift still left a large, foodless gap in the middle of the day. Legend has it that in 1840, Anna, Duchess of Bedford (one of Queen Victoria's ladies-in-waiting), began to request tea and "breadstuffs" (assorted baked goods, which were often served as a refreshment for visitors) each day from her servants. She began to invite friends over to join her for these refreshments, and the tradition of afternoon tea commenced. It was a highly social occasion centered around the low tables of withdrawing and sitting rooms (hence the name "low tea"). By 1880, the tradition of afternoon tea had extended to the households of the upper classes and tea shops throughout the country.
Middle and lower classes had afternoon tea whenever they could, though this was often a challenge, given the labor laws at the time. Midway through the Industrial Revolution, working classes adopted a variation of low tea for themselves: a heavier meal served with tea at 5 PM upon their return home from work. It was, of course, served at high tables and known as "high tea." Most of the foods were somewhat bland, and the overall occasion was considered utilitarian and melancholy, a (possible*) end to the drab working day of the clerk or factory worker who had little or no time for a lunch break.
*After this meal, some farmers and laborers returned to work, underscoring the challenging conditions they faced. Thus, amidst life's difficulties in the 1880s, high tea offered a brief respite.
Conclusion
From a rare luxury to a cherished daily ritual, tea transformed British life. Afternoon tea and high tea reflect different social classes, but both brought people together, encouraged conversation, and shaped manners. Hats, fashion, and etiquette are intertwined with tea culture to create memorable social experiences.
Next time you pour a cup of tea—or don a beautiful hat for a gathering—remember that you are participating in a centuries-old tradition of elegance, friendship, and cultural heritage.
(Interested in more about tea and fashion? Explore our blog on UK vs US High Tea Customs