As I have seen how much interest there is in tea, I thought it was time to write on it!

Although tea began its true origin in China; the rumour is that the Emperor had some leaves fall into his water and Viola! Tea was born. However England has long embraced tea as its own.

It has also been the cause of protests. In fact the most famous protest the Boston tea party; of December 16, 1773, was actually accredited with starting the American Revolution according to some historians.

This happened when a group of American colonists dressed themselves as Red Indians, boarded a clipper and threw the tea over board in protest at the taxes imposed on them, because of tea. That is why America is still largely a coffee drinking nation.

Nonetheless the English stayed with tea. There are many famous tea houses in England but none as famous as Twinings. Started in 1706 this company was started on The Strand in London. 3OO years on Twinings are still top of the market, and world famous for the different teas they have purveyed.

Earl Grey for example was said to be made for the 2nd Earl Grey and was a blend of different teas and Seville orange Bergamot oil. Lady Grey is black tea flavoured with Lemon and orange peels and Bergamot oil. One of the most exotic is Rose Pouchong, which was made with rose petals being layered between tea leaves.

There are many others like, Ceylon, which was originally the name of the county of Sri Lanka; where they grew tea after their coffee crops were devastated. It is mild and golden.

Also, Lapsang Souchong which is a smoked tea. I once asked a friend to buy me this because I wanted to appear and sound posh and dignified and to show my friends how classy I was, by offering a posh sounding tea. I was put in my place because it smelled like bad kippers and I could not stand it! Thankfully a true disciple of this fine tea rescued it from my low smelling nostrils! A lesson in humility was soundly learned.

Tea drinking has boomed even more, from ice teas, such as strawberry, peach and champagne flavours from Whittards another wonderful purveyor of tea, to all the green or herbal teas now available. What ever your preference give it a go, there maybe something you like, in fact according to the advert with Steven Fry, if you don’t like the tea, they make coffee too!