A world of tea: England and the rest of Europe

In recent years, there has been a general increase in the demand for quality, and we have outlined some of the countries in Europe that have particularly embraced the tea:

• France: In France, tea is enjoyed in the afternoon, especially in tea rooms, where it is served with small cakes. The Asian green teas and fruit varieties are the favorite of the French.

• Ireland: The Irish are also known for their love of tea and are a strong second place globally in terms of per capita consumption. They prefer a stronger and spicier black tea that matches their taste preferences.

• Scotland: In Scotland, they are currently experimenting with establishing tea plantations in some of the world's northernmost areas. Their tea culture is characterized by tradition and particular coziness, where they often enjoy the cake, shortbread, together with a strong black tea.

• Portugal: The Portuguese pioneered tea in Europe and still grow tea in the Azores. Portugal's tea culture mainly includes black tea, most often served with lemon and sugar, with the herbs chamomile and mint being the favourites.

• Germany: In the north-eastern part of Germany, tea plays an important role for the Frisians. Their tradition involves consuming tea with a lump of sugar at the bottom, followed by a stronger tea in the middle and whipped cream on top. The ingredients are not mixed together, as it is important for the Frisians to preserve their tradition and taste experience.

• Greece: The Greeks have a production of green Gunpowder tea, which is grown in the mountains north of Athens and to a limited extent in Crete. They sweeten their herbal tea with honey and enjoy it as a soothing drink.

• Scandinavia: In Scandinavia, interest in tea has grown, which is reflected in their increased interest in gourmet food and health. Teas are often drunk in Scandinavia as a pleasant part of everyday life or events.

Last but not least we have England…. The English are known to be some of the world's biggest tea drinkers.

The popularity of tea in England dates back to the 19th century, when Great Britain had colonies on the Indian subcontinent. Earlier, the tea was introduced to the upper classes by the Portuguese Catherine of Braganza, who was married to Charles II in the 1660s and 1670s. Later, the tea spread to the whole community, and tea dances and tea parks arose. After World War II, interest in tea declined as other forms of entertainment became more popular.

Today, "afternoon tea" is a well-known institution, where tea is served with cake, sandwiches and scones after 6 p.m. 4 p.m. "High tea", on the other hand, is an evening meal served with a strong tea (often called "builder's tea"), which the working class could fortify themselves after a long day. The tea in England is drunk with milk and sugar. In fact, the English word: tea, also became a synonym for taking a break.

The tea played a crucial historical role and was actually the cause of the Opium War between China and England. At the time, England tried to finance their tea purchases by selling opium to China. This led to a conflict that had many consequences and shaped the relationship between the two countries.