While the Scots have whisky and the Irish toast with Guinness, perhaps it’s time for the English to embrace a different drink on St. George’s Day?
A drink that is steeped in history, culture, and eccentricity. How about a nice cup of tea?
Tea has long been associated with English identity, but its journey to becoming the nation’s beloved beverage is full of fascinating history.
Tea was first introduced to England in the 17th century and quickly became a symbol of sophistication and status. Initially, it was incredibly expensive and enjoyed only by the upper class. Wealthy families would lock their tea in ornate tea caddies, highlighting just how precious it was.
As demand grew, the East India Company began importing tea from China. However, trade disputes and the high costs led the English to cultivate tea in India. By the 19th century, British-controlled plantations in India and Sri Lanka (then Ceylon) helped make tea more accessible to the general population, embedding it into our daily life.
One of the most pivotal moments in tea history was the Boston Tea Party of 1773, when American colonists protested British taxation by dumping an entire shipment of tea into Boston Harbour. This act of defiance was pivotal to the American Revolution, solidifying tea’s role in the nation’s political and cultural history.
Eccentric tales of English tea history
The tea pot tax
In the late 18th century, the British government, ever keen to raise funds, imposed a “teapot tax.” This bizarre levy meant households had to pay extra to own a teapot. Some enterprising citizens began disguising their teapots or hiding them during tax inspections. It’s a quirky slice of history that shows just how deeply the love of tea runs in the English psyche.
The Great Tea Debate of 1745
One lesser-known story involves a fiery debate in Parliament in 1745. MPs argued for hours, not about foreign policy or war, but about whether milk should be added before or after the tea. The debate was taken so seriously that pamphlets mocking both sides were printed, and the issue was passionately debated in tea salons across London.
Queen Victoria’s tea timer
Queen Victoria was so fond of her afternoon tea ritual that she reportedly had a gold-plated, wind-up tea timer designed to chime at precisely 4:00 PM. It was said that no matter what meeting or crisis was happening, she would pause to observe her tea break, much to the frustration of her ministers during times of tension.
Why tea is the perfect St. George’s Day drink
While celebrating national pride, what better way to honour English heritage than by savouring a cup of tea, something deeply rooted in our history? Unlike alcohol, tea is comforting, inclusive, and doesn’t lead to hangovers. People of every faith can enjoy a cuppa together.
That doesn’t mean we stop going to the pub on 23 April. English pubs have greatly supported St. George’s Day and deserve our patronage. They lay on special meals and events to celebrate our patron saint, and a full list will be published here in time for 23 April: St. George Events.
The perfect cuppa: tea bag or teapot?
Making the perfect cup of tea is both an art and a tradition. There are two main methods: using a tea bag or brewing loose-leaf tea in a pot. Here’s how to do both the right way.
1. Using a Tea Bag
- Boil fresh, filtered water.
- Place the tea bag in your mug.
- Pour the hot water over the bag and let it steep for 3–5 minutes.
- Remove the tea bag, then add milk, sugar, or lemon to taste.
2. Brewing in a Teapot
- Warm the teapot with hot water and then discard the water.
- Add one teaspoon of loose-leaf tea per person, plus one extra “for the pot.”
- Pour in boiling water (adjust temperature for green or white teas).
- Let it steep for 4–5 minutes, then pour through a strainer into cups.
One lump or two? According to our research, 55% of people in England now drink tea without sugar. However, 4% have three or more sugars (must taste like syrup). Nineteen percent have one sugar, and 22% have two sugars.
Summary of tea on St. George’s Day
This St George’s Day, let’s celebrate what makes England truly unique. While the Scots raise a dram of whisky and the Irish clink pints of Guinness, the English can steep a pot of tea and toast to tradition, heritage, and a beverage that has shaped our national identity.
So, brew a cup, take a seat, and honour St. George with the warmth of a perfect English cuppa that can be enjoyed by everyone, regardless of religion, colour, or sexuality. Tea brings us together.