BRITISH NATIONAL TEA DAY

BRITISH NATIONAL TEA DAY

Behind every great country, there is an even greater beverage helping its people through the day. On April 21st, the United Kingdom celebrates British National Tea Day, their drink of choice for the past two centuries.

#BritishNationalTeaDay

British National Tea Day is the time Britain takes to celebrate its longstanding relationship with the steeped drink. Their love for tea is so deep that collectively they consume more than 60 billion cups a year. That’s upwards of 165 million cups a day.

With such a wide variety of types of tea that all serve a different purpose from jumpstarting the day all the way down to sleepy time, it’s no wonder the UK has yet to grow bored of their national beverage. They’re also showing no sign of stopping!

“There are few hours in life more agreeable than the hour dedicated to the ceremony known as afternoon tea.” -Henry James

Each year, citizens of Great Britain hold their “Fes-Tea-Val” on this day as a chance to showcase new teas, share the ultimate afternoon tea experience and rally around the hundreds of incredible tastes this one drink has to offer. Although tea can be found in all corners of the world, the UK has made it clear that nobody celebrates tea better than they do.

HOW TO CELEBRATE BRITISH NATIONAL TEA DAY

You don’t have to be in the UK to celebrate their National Tea Day. All you need is 10 minutes away from the world to enjoy some tea by yourself or with friends.

You have the opportunity to celebrate British National Tea Day by enjoying tea at the proper times during the day:

  • High Tea Time is between 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM. High tea is a filling, savory meal (supper) served at high tables, while Afternoon Tea features pastries, scones, and tea.

  • Afternoon Tea (alternative option): Often booked between 1:00 PM and 5:00 PM (e.g., at venues like The Landmark).

The difference between High Tea and Afternoon Tea is tradition vs. Tourist. Traditionally, tea is served at 5 p.m. and historically the accurate time to have tea.

Grab a cuppa, a couple of scones and use #BritishNationalTeaDay or #NationalTeaDay to share on social media.

HISTORY BEHIND BRITISH NATIONAL TEA DAY

Although afternoon tea has been popular in the UK since the middle of the 19th century, National Tea Day didn’t come along until much later.