The interesting story behind the obsessive love of British tea

British life is associated with tea. But few know that the profound origin of tea in England is extremely unexpected.

Today, tea is a special part in the culture of the misty country. However, even people in the UK know little, the character inspired the popularity of tea in their country.

The British people always thank China because it is the origin of the cultivation and harvesting of tea leaves. However, the one who inspired the popularity of tea in England was not from China, but from a Portuguese woman.

Very few people know that the Portuguese inspired tea drinking in England.(Photo source: Christopher Furlong / Getty Images).

The story is forgotten

Back in time to 1662, Princess Catherine (daughter of King John IV of Portugal) was married to the king of the newly restored kingdom in England - King Charles III. This helped her become a very important woman: Queen of England, Scotland and Ireland.

Portrait of Queen Catherine.

When she moved to England to live with King Charles, she brought tea in her luggage. An interesting legend says that the boxes of tea she brought were marked Transporte de Ervas Aromaticas (in Portuguese for: transporting aromatic herbs), and abbreviated as TEA "tea" in English. now called "tea" may stem from that cause.

However, some linguists argue that the English word "tea" comes from the transcription of Chinese "tea". Although this story is controversial, one thing is for sure at that time, tea was widely used in Portuguese aristocrats, because it had direct sales with China through colonies. My is Macau.

When Catherine arrived in England, tea was used here but only as a medicine. The reason is because the price of tea at that time was quite expensive. He did not trade directly with China and a few tea packages that the Dutch imported were sold at very high prices. At that time, a pound - about 454gr, was priced at the average employee's income for a year. Therefore, tea is only for the most affluent and richest people in society.

However, Catherine - a famous queen has a habit of drinking tea daily."When Catherine married Charles, she became the center of attention - everything, from her dress to her belongings, became the topic of court talk , " said Sarah-Beth Watkins, author of Catherine of. Braganza: Charles II's Restoration Queen shares.

"The fact that she used to drink tea made other people drink too. Ladies and gentlemen competed to follow her, and racing to become close to her." Gradually, lower social classes also regularly drink tea, making tea a more popular drink.

The women quickly copied Catherine's tea drinking habits.

Today, tea has become a part of British people's lives, even an obsession. However, it is worth mentioning that the British do not create, but just learners.

When tea was brought by the Dutch, the British knew nothing about tea culture. They have no small spoons, no cups, no tea teapots. So the British had to import small porcelain bowls, cups, sugar plates, small payers and copy the whole tea ceremony from China.

The British copied Chinese tea ceremony.

Relive with the tea culture

If you go to London, you can experience the flowering and style of the old nobility when using afternoon tea at luxury hotels like the Langham Hotel, Ritz Hotel.

You can also find very interesting tea events in Portugal. In the city of Sintra, there is a hotel trying to promote the story of Queen Catherine has contributed to popularizing tea. That is the Tivoli Palácio de Seteais Hotel Sintra. The hotel general manager Mario Custódio is working on a special afternoon tea program with the theme Catherine. "In school, we are not aware of this historical story," Custódio said. "I don't know anything. Even the Portuguese people don't know."

A tea party is often seen in England.

With Custódio, bringing this little-known history into life will make it a special experience for visitors to the city.

Now Custódio is working with a historian to serve the tea that Catherine used to drink."The Portuguese we want to believe Catarina plays an important role in tea. I don't want this historical story to be lost." Custosdio said.