by 5 people |
Tea Time Traditions
This page is a brief overview of those traditions and a look at the products I consume regularly (three times a day, actually!.
It's Time for Tea!
Enjoy!
Current Tea Traditions
The Irish, British and Scots seem to take tea every time you turn around. It's drunk strong in the morning, with or after lunch, in the early evening, with or after dinner, and after a night on the town.At different times it's drunk as a stimulant, a social drink, or even a treat when taken with scones heaped with butter, clotted cream and strawberry jam.
Types of Tea:
Tea is traditionally classified based on producing technique:
* White tea: Un-Wilted, unoxidized
* Yellow tea: Un-wilted,unoxidized but allowed to yellow
* Green tea: Wilted, unoxidized
* Oolong: Wilted, bruised, partially oxidized
* Black tea/Red tea: Wilted, crushed, fully oxidized
* Post-fermented tea: Green Tea that has been allowed to ferment/compost
A Cream Tea
"Cream tea" is tea served with scones laden with butter, heavy cream, and strawberry jam. It is decadent and delicious!
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Beginnings of a Tradition
Regular trade began in Guangzhou (Canton).Trade was controlled by two monopolies: the Chinese Hongs (trading companies) and the British East India Company. The Hongs acquired tea from 'tea men' who had an elaborate supply chain into the mountain provinces where tea was grown.
Tea was just one of many products the East India Company brought back many products, but it was to prove one of the most successful. It was initially promoted as a medicinal beverage or tonic. By the end of the seventeenth century tea was only taken by a narrow part of society, the aristocratic elite, but by 1750 tea would be the national drink.
Traditional British Teas
Taylors of HarrogateYorkshire Gold Tea 80ct Tea Bags
Amazon Price: $12.89 (as of 01/07/2010) 
Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Twinings English Breakfast 50 tea bags
Amazon Price: $10.79 (as of 01/07/2010)
Usually ships in 6-10 business days
Edinburgh Tea and Coffee - Scottish Breakfast 25 Tea Bags
Amazon Price: (as of 01/07/2010)
Favorites from Twinings
Twinings Irish Breakfast Tea, Tea Bags, 20-Count Boxes (Pack of 6)
Amazon Price: $16.98 (as of 01/07/2010)
Usually ships in 24 hours
Twinings Darjeeling Tea - 4-pack
Amazon Price: (as of 01/07/2010)
Twinings Earl Grey Tea, Tea Bags, 50-Count Boxes (Pack of 6)
Amazon Price: $30.37 (as of 01/07/2010)
Usually ships in 24 hours
Twinings Lady Grey Tea - 4-pack
Amazon Price: (as of 01/07/2010)
Twinings Variety Pack of Four Flavors, Tea Bags, 20-Count Boxes (Pack of 6)
Amazon Price: $16.98 (as of 01/07/2010)
Usually ships in 24 hours
More Unique Blends
Twinings Lapsang Souchong - 4-pack
Amazon Price: (as of 01/07/2010)
Twinings China Oolong - 4-pack
Amazon Price: (as of 01/07/2010)
Twinings Blackcurrant Tea, Tea Bags, 20-Count Boxes (Pack of 6)
Amazon Price: (as of 01/07/2010)
Twinings Four Red Fruits Tea, Tea Bags, 20-Count Boxes (Pack of 6)
Amazon Price: $19.45 (as of 01/07/2010)
Usually ships in 6-10 business days
Twinings Revive Herbal Tea, Lemon & Chinese Ginger, 1.06-Ounce Boxes (Pack of 6)
Amazon Price: $16.98 (as of 01/07/2010)
Usually ships in 24 hours
Blends from Revolution
Celestial Seasonings Selections
Tea as Art
Check out these cool artistic tea pots!
Retro Teafrom Art.com
Tea Ceremony in Blue and White Ifrom Art.com
Deco Tea
from Art.com
Tea Accessories
Collectible tea pots, tea cups and other items for tea time are being auctioned on eBay. Watch for great deals!
Fetching new data from eBay now... please stand by
Links to Online Tea Resources
- Tea Wiki
- The expansive wikipedia article on tea, which contains botanical as well as historical information.
- Tea Talk
- Website devoted to tea around the world.
- Twinings Tea
- Homepage of this producer and supplier.
- Celestial Seasonings
- Celestial Seasonings homepage
- TAZO
- TAZO Tea home
- The Republic of Tea
- Republic of Tea home
- Revolution Tea
- Revolution Tea home
- Ahmad Tea
- Ahmad of London Tea home
- Whittard of Chelsea
- Whittard Tea home
Tea Toddlers Check In
I would love to hear from you!
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Reply
- Tea_Rob Tea_Rob Sep 13, 2009 @ 4:25 am
- You should try some teas from www.youmeandtea.com. Great Blends, Great Prices and Great Service
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Reply
- Ramonailona Ramonailona Sep 11, 2009 @ 11:35 am
- I love tea, also. Mostly for what they do for your body.
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Reply
- LadySquid LadySquid Apr 6, 2009 @ 2:07 pm
- Love it! As an American, I've often heard cream tea mentioned on the many British programs I regularly watch. I've always thought it was simply tea blended with cream. Now I know it's a whole meal! Thanks for the info!
Stephanie
PS--Please stop by my lens sometime--Buy Rooibos
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Reply
- BigGirlBlue BigGirlBlue Oct 28, 2008 @ 12:20 pm
- I use to spread my tea love around but for the last few years I've been stuck to green tea. I've ranked and lensrolled you to my blended matcha tea lens.
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Reply
- vbright105 vbright105 Sep 20, 2008 @ 12:51 am
- Favorited, starred, and lensrolled!
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Reply
- susannaduffy susannaduffy Sep 14, 2008 @ 10:30 am
- I start the day with a good strong cuppa, I don't know how I would manage otherwise :) 5* for making me want another cup, this time with scones and big fat thick clotted cream
by TankDog
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