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Tea for Two Tidbits

Five different types of tea would have been available in Regency England: white, yellow, green, oolong, and black. In my Regency Inspirational romance, Lady Patience Blakwell, who lives in a dower house in England, enjoys tea often.

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The most common and popular teas were green and black, much as these two types of tea are the most popular today. In the Regency era, tea was served hot, with sugar and milk.

Tea was considered a safe drink in that era because it was boiled first. Remember that much of the drinking water in that period was contaminated.

Thomas Twining changed his coffee house into a tea shop in 1717. Then, Richard Twining, who was chairman of the tea dealers’ guild in 1784, persuaded the government to reduce the tea import tax. Once tea was more affordable, the middle classes were able to enjoy this cheap beverage.

Did you know? Tipping began as a response to ensuring proper service in the Tea Gardens of England. Small, locked wooden boxes were place throughout the Garden on tables. On each box was inscribed T.I.P.S., which meant “To Insure Prompt Service.” If a guest wanted to be certain that his tea arrived hot, he placed a coin into the box for the waiter. And thus, the custom of tipping servers was born.

Did you know? “Drinking tea” is a proper phrase. “Taking tea” is vulgar.

How do you drink your tea? I love hot, green or black tea with no sugar and cream, just black, thank you.

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31 Responses

  1. I love hot tea on a cold winter’s day or when I am not feeling well. I love iced tea on a very hot day.

  2. I did not know that TIPS stood for “To Insure Prompt Service” or how it began. Fascinating. I grew up drinking tea. Hot black tea with a dash of milk.

    1. Mary, I was fascinated by the TIPS info, also. I had no idea and glad you thought it was fascinating, too. I drink my tea hot and black. (no milk, though.) Thanks for sharing!

  3. When it’s hot outside I like my tea cold. When it starts getting cold outside I drink my tea hot. My grandmother always made spiced tea. When she was living I would call her and ask for her spiced tea recipe. She would laugh and say you just use that as an excuse to call me. One year I made recipe cards of some of my grandmother’s and my recipes. I made one recipe box for her and one for me. I bought each of us the same mug. I lived in Texas at the time and she lived in SC. I mailed the recipe box and one of the mugs with a note saying when she drank her tea from that mug we were sharing a cup of tea together. When she passed away over 49 years ago they gave me the recipe box and mug. My mug got broken years ago but I still have her mug. Even though she is gone when I drink out of that my grandmother and are Shari g a cup of tea. Happy memories!

    1. Patricia, I haven’t enjoyed peppermint tea in a while. I must remember to pick some up this week. Thanks for sharing!

  5. Tough one. I like both. Going to say hot tea. I use hot for comforting more than I do iced.

    1. I love hot tea, also, Tara. For instance, it’s blazing hot down south where I live, but I’m drinking a cup of hot black tea!

      Thanks for stopping by my blog and sharing!

  7. Hot green or black with Equal! I make a six cup pot or two every day! We have a lovely tea parlor nearby…it even serves gluten free 3 tier tea trays! Just perfect for me due to Celiac Disease.

    1. I love green tea, Daphne. When I was in Ireland this summer, the tea was usually served in a six cup pot.

      And, how lovely to have a tea parlor near you!

  9. Most of the time I drink it hot, black with nothing added. Or a flavored tea like cinnamon or honey lemon. Except on a really hot day a nice big glass of iced sun tea is great!

  10. When it’s hot I drink cold tea. When the weather gets colder I drink hot tea. My grandmother always made spiced tea. I used to all her and ask for the recipe every fall. My grandmother would just laugh and say you already have it. You just used that as excuse to call. I lived inTexas at the time and she lived in SC. I made a recipe box for each of us of some of our recipes. I also sent the recipe box with a mug that I had one just like it. I told her that when she drank out of it we were sharing a cup of tea. My grandmother has been gone over 30 years. Now, I have her mug and when I drink out of it I feel as if we are sharing a cup of tea. Miss her so much!

    1. Such a beautiful story and the fact that you still have your grandmother’s mug is lovely! Would you care to share the spiced tea recipe? Thanks for your response!

      1. Mammaw’s Spiced Tea

        ½ cup instant tea
        2 cups Tang
        2 cups Lemonade, sweetened (dry mix)
        1 teaspoon ground cloves
        1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
        2 cups sugar

        Mix above ingredients. Be sure it is mixed well. I mix it in a container that has a tight fitting lid and shake real hard.
        Use 2 to 3 teaspoons per cup (or to your taste).

        Great Gift Idea:
        Spiced Tea in a decorative container with a pretty mug , and recipe. Great at Christmas time.

        1. Thanks so much for sharing your wonderful recipe with us! And, you’re right, it’s a great gift idea. Would never have guessed the recipe uses Tang. Thanks again!

  11. I like it both ways depending on what time of the year it is or what time of the day it is.

  14. I can drink tea anytime, anywhere. And I do. My favourite is pouchong, but strong, brisk black or green tea make lovely iced teas.

  15. I love hot tea (strong black tea) with one packet of pure via and a little creamer. I love trying all different teas. I enjoy chai, white, green, black and red, but my favorite is black tea. I drink hot tea even when it is hundred degrees outside.