Why do the British drink so much tea?
The British drink so much tea because tea became fashionable in the 1600s, cheaper in the 1700s and 1800s thanks to trade with Asia, and gradually turned into a central part of daily life. Britons drink around 100 million cups a day.
Tea was introduced to England in the mid-1600s. Catherine of Braganza, the Portuguese wife of Charles II, made it fashionable at court.
The East India Company imported tea from China, and later Britain established tea plantations in India and Ceylon, now Sri Lanka. This made tea more affordable.
A national habit
Tea became a drink for all social classes. In the 1800s, the temperance movement promoted tea as an alternative to alcohol.
During World War II, tea was rationed but considered vital for morale. The government bought large stocks of tea.
Most British people drink black tea with milk, such as English breakfast tea, often made with a tea bag in a mug. Offering someone a cup of tea is a common way to show kindness or comfort.
Brands such as PG Tips, Yorkshire Tea and Tetley are popular. The phrase builder's tea refers to strong tea with milk and sugar.