In this article, FGC will introduce interesting information about British milk tea: what it is, its history, or the reasons why people add milk to tea.
Contents
Introduction
British milk tea is now not only favored by Britons, but it is also famous around the world. Even though tea drinking culture in the UK is not as long as in the Asian area, it still has distinctive characteristics that make it stand out. British milk is unlike other normal milk teas that you might know as bubble tea. Let’s continue to read to explore amazing information about it.
What is British milk tea?
Tea has become a crucial part of British culture, and it is consumed by the majority of the British at several times during a day. British milk tea is the combination of tea liquid and fresh milk, which makes it different from other nations. Tea, especially a cup of tea with milk, has become an element of the British identity. It is so common in the UK that when you invite someone for a cup of tea, it is always assumed that this is a cup of black tea with milk included. Generally, when mentioning traditional British milk tea, the British don’t say milk tea, they just call it tea.
The main ingredients of British milk tea include tea leaves, milk, and/ or sweeteners. Tea base in British milk tea is usually black tea, with some typical types being Assam and Ceylon black tea. Besides, fresh milk is usually used as it is so popular in Europe. However, today, there are many types of dairy-free milk that can be applied instead. The blending of fresh milk might change the flavor of black tea a bit, making the tea base smoother and less bitter. Furthermore, depending on personal taste, sweeteners, the most common one being white sugar, are used to make the tea easier to drink for some people.
Explore FGC’s instant British milk tea:
What is the history of British milk tea?
Tea drinking culture in the UK has not been around for long, but it has developed strongly. The appearance of tea in the UK began from the 17th century, and it was first known as a medicinal drink. Until the 18th century, adding milk and sugar to tea started to become popular. At first, the price of tea was so high that it was only popular among aristocrats. After that, the price was reduced gradually so more people could access it.
The history of British milk tea is linked to its colonial history. Tea in the UK was mostly from its ex-colonies, including India and Sri Lanka. Moreover, the British Empire’s tea supply grew as the railway was extended towards the east. The act of drinking tea in the UK originated from Asia, and it is adapted to become unique. As Europe has a long dairy culture, fresh milk, cream, and other dairy products are crucial in daily life of native people and easy to find. The popularity of fresh milk might be one of the reasons leading to the mixture of milk and tea.
As the price got more affordable, tea in the UK became popular among all classes, even the poor. After fluctuation, British milk tea is currently popular not only in the UK but also around the world.
Why do the British add milk to tea?
There are many ways to enjoy tea in different countries. For instance, Chinese and Japanese tea drinkers might prefer brewed hot tea without milk or sugar. Meanwhile, when it comes to British tea, people might immediately think of the traditional way of drinking it with milk. Have you ever wondered why do the British add milk to tea?
Some may believe the main reason came from flavor and taste, but it was not the original purpose. Traditionally, the British brewed tea using a pot and enjoyed it using China cups which were easily cracked under the heat. The cups could not handle the boiling water’s heat and would have broken. Therefore, milk was added to the cup first, and tea was poured in later.
When tea first appeared in the UK in the 18th century, these China cups were all what most people could afford. Therefore, they had to figure out ways to drink hot tea without making the cup crack, which was using milk to mellow it. Adding milk first and tea second is proven to be better by science. It is because the dairy might heat unevenly if you pour cold milk into a cup of hot tea, which could also denature the proteins and cause them to clump together.
There are other theories about the reason why Britons add milk to tea. Some thought that milk was added to prevent fine porcelain cups from staining. On the contrary, others believed that milk helped the impoverished to lessen the bitterness as they could not afford the high quality tea.
How do people drink British milk tea?
Tea to entertain guests
Tea in the UK is almost the drink for everyone, regardless of wealthiness, social status or cultural background. Whenever you come to someone’s home, the common invitation you might hear is “Would you like a cup of tea?” instead of water or coffee. Tea is always offered and can be used to entertain guests under many conditions. Besides, numerous tea shops are the favorite places to hang out with friends.
Tea as a meal
Afternoon tea, or usually called high tea in the upper class, is a traditional practice introduced in Britain in the 19th century. It is a mini meal that is usually served at 4 pm. Generally, an afternoon tea includes not only tea but also sandwiches, scones with clotted cream and jam, pastries, and cakes. This ritual was also known as tea receptions, a formal meeting on a large scale thanks to the engagement of Queen Victoria. These days, it is still held in any family regardless of social class.
FGC’s RTD British milk tea:
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Source:
https://www.mentalfloss.com/article/651615/historic-reason-why-brits-put-milk-their-tea
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tea_in_the_United_Kingdom
