Where does England get its tea?

Most of the leaves that go into our teabags do not come from India or China, but are bought from an auction in the coastal city of Mombasa in Kenya. From here, Simon follows the tea trail through the epic landscapes of Kenya and Uganda and meets some of the thousands of people who pick, pack and transport it.

Where does England import its tea from?

The main source of UK tea

The largest share of non-EU imports came from the Sub-Saharan African region, followed by Asia and Oceania. Only minor amounts are imported from the Americas.

Where is English tea produced?

The first tea gardens in the UK yielded Britain's first home-grown tea in 2005, creating the ultimate Britishness in every cup. 15 Years later and up to 20,000 tea bushes are planted every year, in new tea garden areas across the wider estate in Cornwall.

How does tea get to the UK?

The world began to learn of China's tea secret in the early 1600s, when Dutch traders started bringing it to Europe in large quantities. It first arrived in Britain in the 1650s, when it was served as a novelty in London's coffee houses. Back then, tea was a rare drink that very few consumed.

Where is most UK tea grown?

Last year, over 62 thousand tons were imported from the African country - a long way ahead of second-placed India with a nevertheless vital 17 thousand tons. Naturally, Switzerland, the Netherlands and Poland are not on the list because tea is grown there.

How Tea Time Came to England

Where do Yorkshire tea get their tea from?

All tea comes from one type of bush, called Camellia Sinensis. It can grow wherever the climate is right, but the tea we're interested in is mainly grown in Assam and East Africa. Soil, climate, and rainfall all affect the quality and flavour, as does the way it's picked and handled.

Why is tea not grown in the UK?

' In general, the British climate is not kind to the camellia sinensis plant, making it hard to keep them alive in normal conditions. However, the temperate climes of Cornwall are not so different from those of Darjeeling.

Did England get Indian tea?

Capitalising on this, the East India Company began to import tea into Britain, its first order being placed in 1664 - for 100lbs of China tea to be shipped from Java. The British took to tea with an enthusiasm that continues to the present day.

What did British drink before tea?

Before the British East India Company turned its thoughts to tea, Englishmen drank mostly coffee.

Is tea native to England?

Although the custom of drinking tea dates back to the third millennium BC in China, it was not until the mid 17th century that tea was first introduced to England.

Does the UK grow its own tea?

Tea has been grown in the UK for hundreds of years. As a British company who loves a good cuppa, we wondered how easy it would be to grow-your-own tea at home. As it turns out, it's perfectly possible to grow Camellia Sinensis – the common tea plant – in your own garden. In fact, it thrives in UK conditions.

What brand of tea do the English drink?

Britain is famous for being a tea drinking country, with many brands offering a variety of choices. But of all those available, PG Tips is the most popular. In 2020, it was estimated that more than 8.8 million people enjoyed this brand.

Who supplies most tea to UK?

The largest tea supplying country to the United Kingdom remains Kenya, accounting for 43.3% of all tea imports.

Why do the British love tea so much?

Because the British East India Company had a monopoly over the tea industry in England, tea became more popular than coffee, chocolate, and alcohol. Tea was seen as inherently British, and its consumption was encouraged by the British government because of the revenue gained from taxing tea.

Why do British put milk in tea?

The answer is that in the 17th and 18th centuries the china cups tea was served in were so delicate they would crack from the heat of the tea. Milk was added to cool the liquid and stop the cups from cracking. This is why, even today, many English people add milk to their cups BEFORE adding the tea!

What is tea with milk called?

Tea latte –Tea (can be any type of tea) with steamed or frothed milk added. It can be sweetened or unsweetened. Boba Tea – Or bubble tea, a milk tea from Taiwan with added tapioca pearls popular around the world.

Do British drink more tea or coffee?

Though coffee drinking is certainly on the rise, tea is still the most popular hot drink within the UK.

Is tea Chinese or Indian?

Both India and China are using two main (but not the only), tea plants – Camellia sinensis var sinensis and Camelia sinensis var assamica. The first one is predominant in China, while the second one is native to India. However, they are both used in both countries.

Who brings Indian tea?

Tea was introduced to India by the British in the nineteenth century, to overcome the monopoly of Chinese production. The first area to be planted was the mountain region surrounding the city of Darjeeling, perched on the Himalayan foothills, in the 1850s.

How did British bring tea to India?

Commercial production of tea was first introduced into India by the British, in an attempt to break the Chinese monopoly on tea. The British, using Chinese seeds, plus Chinese planting and cultivating techniques, launched a tea industry by offering land in Assam to any European who agreed to cultivate tea for export.

Where is Cornish tea grown?

Tregothnan tea estate in southern Cornwall is the UK's first (and only) tea plantation. And not many people know about it, although it's been thriving since 2005.

Can you grow tea in Scotland?

TEA GARDENS OF SCOTLAND are Scottish tea growers and makers - 100% Scottish tea grown from camelia sinensis seed in Scotland with micro tea plantations in Perthshire, Fife and Angus. Tea tourism trail and tea tasting of 100% Scottish grown tea.

Is English Breakfast tea grown in England?

Our English Breakfast Tea Pyramids are bold, malty and rich made with the widest variety of leaves ever grown in England, then blended with the finest Assam.