Afternoon Tea - Royal Family and Britons Tradition

     

       Drinking tea is not something special in Indonesia. In Indonesia, drinking tea is usually enjoyed in the morning or in the afternoon by reading the newspaper or as serving drinks to the guests. By contrast, as in certain countries such as the UK, Japan, Russia and China where tea is part of a tradition and culture. Every country has its own history, culture and traditions which is different each other. A tradition in the state is also inseparable from the history. A unique history make tea as a tradition in the UK.

       The first entered of a tea in the UK in 1662 by Catherine of Braganza, who is Prince Charles II ( King of England) wife. When she comes to the UK, the princess brought tea leaves from her country. In the moment of garden party or private party, Catherine serving a cup of tea to the duchess. Unexpectedly, the tea turned out to be favored by the nobles.

       The afternoon tea tradition first emerged from the kingdom. Precisely in the early 1800s, the British countess initiated the tradition of drinking tea in the afternoon because the meal only done twice a day that is at breakfast and dinner. So as waiting in for the dinner, these British countess feel hungry. No exception Queen Anna Maria Stanhope Russal, a seventh generation of Queen Consort in Bradford, England, which has a strategy to deal with this problem.

       Queen Anna asked his bodyguards to provide tea and several kinds of cakes in the afternoon. She drank the tea and ate the cakes on the quite in her bedroom. However, as time passes, the other British nobility also do the same thing. Therefore, the tradition of drinking tea in the afternoon passed on to this day, although the meal is increased to three times a day, breakfast, lunch, and dinner, plus afternoon tea. However, because of afternoon tea was born around British nobility, this tradition is being considered quite luxurious in the UK. Usually, the Britons doing the afternoon tea for a celebration days, birthdays and weddings.

       Although afternoon tea is a tradition in the UK, but only certain people can doing this tradition. Tea prices increased in the UK causing this tradition can only be enjoyed by the nobility. Increasing the price of tea due to the tea tax rates that are still monopolized by China. In addition to the expensive price, tea culture is synonymous with luxury equipment and the particular procedure. Many variants of tea are served for afternoon tea such as english breakfast, earl gray, chamommile, peppermint, jasmine green tea, edelflower tea , lapsang souchong tea from China and many other kinds of tea.

       Twinings tea is a brand of tea which is very close to the British royal family. Twinings is the person who first introduced her tea to the royal family. Until now Twinings name is always present in any event of the British Kingdom. 

       The tradition of drinking tea in England known as afternoon tea. Afternoon tea was held at 3-5 pm. It is served with snacks such as sandwiches, scones, thick cream, assorted sweet foods such as cakes and pastry. Scones is a traditional English cake in the form of pastry filled with jam from fruits. The food is served on a tray with sweets terraced placed at the very top.

       In addition, there is also the other tea tradition known as high tea which is served early at 6 pm before dinner. The menu is different with afternoon tea that is bread, meat, fish, eggs, cakes and do not forget presented along with the tea. This event combines the concept of dinner with afternoon tea. The food served at the high table is not as small lounge like the afternoon tea table.

       Well, it is very unique to know about tea drinking tradition of English nobility. Tea has many benefits one of them as an antioxidant and free radical scavengers. So anyone who wants to try the tradition of drinking tea in the afternoon? or even you are already making it a tradition every afternoon as well? I  still have a lot of information about the UK. Read on my blog. Keep Calm and God Save All of Us!