Tea drinking in Britain can be traced back to the 17th century when it was first introduced by Portuguese traders. However, it wasn't until the 18th century that tea became a popular drink among the upper and middle classes. Tea was heavily taxed, and it was often seen as a luxury item. During the 19th century, tea became more affordable, and it became associated with British identity and was seen as a patriotic drink.
Coffee drinking in Britain has a shorter history than tea drinking. Coffee was introduced to Britain in the mid-16th century by traders from the Middle East. However, it wasn't until the 17th century that coffeehouses began to appear in London and other major cities. Coffeehouses quickly became popular meeting places for intellectuals, businessmen, and politicians. They were often associated with political and social debate, and many important ideas and movements, such as the scientific revolution and the Enlightenment, were discussed in coffeehouses.
In terms of popularity, tea is still the most widely consumed hot beverage in Britain, with around 165 million cups of tea consumed every day compared to around 95 million cups of coffee. However, coffee consumption has been steadily increasing in recent years, and coffee culture has become more prevalent in Britain, with many specialty coffee shops and chains opening up in cities and towns across the country.
Here at the Giddy Goat Coffee Shop we offer a fantastic range of tea leaves to try and our delicious coffee is supplied by local company, Wooden Hill Coffee in Ampthill. Pop along and have a brew.
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