The afternoon tea is a British tradition and combines our collective love for tea with our penchant for finger sandwiches and sweet treats. But do you know where the world’s highest tea party took place or which country supplies the majority of the UK’s tea? Keep reading to find out.
Sightseeing and Tea Tours
London’s Blue Badge Guides have a number of foodie options, including tours entirely themed around the afternoon tea. You can even enjoy a delicious afternoon tea on a boat whilst sailing down the River Thames.
But if you’re not in London and you want to enjoy a selection of dainty sandwiches and sweet treats, afternoon tea boxes such as https://www.afternoonteabox.com/ can bring a touch of elegance directly to your doorstep.
The Highest Tea Party in the World
In May 2021, the world’s highest tea party was held on Mount Everest at a height of 21,312 feet. The party’s host Andrew Hughes said that tea formed a significant part of his expedition group’s lives whilst ascending Mount Everest.
The Oldest Tea Shop in the World
Located opposite the Royal Courts of Justice in London, 216 The Strand is home to Twinings, which has been selling and serving tea to visitors for more than 300 years. Since its founding in 1706, Twinings tea shop has evolved and now also offers a selection of tea masterclasses alongside its impressive selection of tea and tea party accessories.
The Keenest Tea Drinkers in the World Are.
While you may initially assume that the UK population consumes the most tea, this accolade actually belongs to the Republic of Ireland.
The Tea Trade
The first shipments of tea, weighing 100 pounds, arrived in the UK in the seventeenth century after tea drinking was popularised by Catherine of Braganza, wife of King Charles II. Today, 100,000 tons of tea is now imported into the UK each year. The majority of the tea consumed in the UK is grown in Kenya, which is often blended with teas from a number of other countries around the world, including India and even the Channel Islands.