Few things are more British than good afternoon Camellia sinensis . Despite the stuffy association , the drink was enjoyed for more than twenty years in France before it transmigrate across the English Channel .
Tea-lightful
Until the nineteenth century , British citizens ate two chief meal — breakfast and dinner . Dinner was n’t do until late evening , so most citizen went many hours between meal .
Around 1840 , the seventh Duchess of Bedford , Anna Maria Russell , began kvetch of faintness in the mid - afternoon . At first , the noblewoman would privatelyconsume a plenty of afternoon tea and a light snackin her personal quarters . Later that summertime , she set out ask over booster to dine with her in her rooms at Woburn Abbey .
When the summertime end , Russell carry on this meal in London during the social season . Here , other hostess piece up the practice . As it became popular , teatime moved from private quarters to the drawing elbow room . After a while , most of London ’s social scene would be tope tea and eating a light snack in the afternoon .
Revolutionary drinks
Until Camellia sinensis became popular , beer was the daytime drink of alternative for the lower family . Since beer is produce with boiled water and antiseptic hop , it was a secure drunkenness than the unhealthful pee . At the time , drinking alcohol was a social ritual , a vital source of calories , an leakage for the working classes .
As the Industrial Revolution bring cargo hold , workers were carry to stay sober during their long workdays at the factory . During the same time , the temperance movement was gaining steam , and more people were turning to “ moderation drinks ” like java , tea , and chocolate .
High Tea?
Though many tea shops call the light , casual afternoon snack “ eminent tea leaf , ” they ’re misuse the full term . High teatime actually refers to the slightlyheavier mealenjoyed around 5 or 6 at night , usually by the working stratum during the Industrial Revolution . This repast was often take during the factories ’ tenacious break of the daytime – the afternoon tea severance .
For many proletarian , high-pitched tea was a vital beginning of caffein and calories . Since it helped workers to get through long oeuvre day , some historians accredit the tea leaf fault for the spike heel in productivity that happened during this earned run average . The name is thought to be derived from the high , conventional dinner tables it was serve on .
