British National Tea Day. When you move home, there’s one thing you need to make sure that you pack away so it’s ready to use when you arrive – the kettle, tea bags, some mugs, milk and sugar (if you take it). That’s right, as Brits we have a strong affinity to a nice cuppa.
Having a cup of tea when you arrive at your new home can help to take edge off any stress you may have experienced throughout the big day and the hard-working removals team helping you will probably be gasping for one too. Did you know that on the 21st of April, it is British National Tea Day? In honour of the nation’s favourite hot beverage and that big day, we’ve gathered together some great facts all about tea!
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The Real Reason Tea Doesn’t Produce the Same Results as Coffee
Did you know that contrary to what some people believed in the past, there is the same amount of caffeine in tea as there is in coffee? The reason why tea does not produce the same kind of caffeine crash that coffee does has to do with antioxidants. Tea is known to be high in antioxidants and when these are released, they reduce the speed at which the caffeine is absorbed by your body. That in turn means that there’s a slower and more gradual increase of your body’s caffeine levels which means you benefit from a longer period of enhanced alertness without the negative side effects of a crash.
Teacups Always Had Handles Didn’t They?
Well, no actually. Originally, English made teacups without any handles, taking inspiration from the Chinese and their traditional tea bowls.
Tea and Teapots are Older Then You Think
Although tea only reached continental Europe by the 16th century, it was already being drunk in the Middle East and throughout Asia far longer than that. In fact, around 11,000 years ago it is thought that earliest records show ceramic teapots being used.
Tea – Discovered by Chance
Although we’ll probably never know the truth, there are some legends surrounding how tea first came to be. It was 2732 BC and Emperor Shen Nung had a pot of boiling water. Some leaves from a nearby tree blew into the pot and tea was born.
Queen Anne Could Drink You Under the Table
If it was tea, that is. Queen Anne and tea went together like Ant and Dec or Trump and Twitter. It seems that she was so fond of tea that instead of using those small Chinese teapots that were traditionally associated with the drink she had a large teapot in the shape of a bell made specially to serve her tea.
Anna And the Afternoon Tea
Afternoon Tea, that quintessential British institution was first introduced in England in 1840 by the seventh Duchess of Bedford . That’s Anna, but we know you knew that. She always found that she was hungry at around 4pm and afternoon tea became a thing to satiate her hunger. Isn’t it normal to get hungry then or is it just us?
(We don’t think they started British National Tea Day)
When you’re moving remember to keep the tea and kettle at the top of the box and check out our movers on Delivery Quote Compare to save up to 75% on your moving fees.