Taking tea

In the 18th century, tea became Britain's most fashionable drink

Taking tea was an important social occasion in polite society

Tea was served at concerts...

and evening balls...

as well as in drawing rooms

Serving tea was an elaborate affair

Tea was a luxury item kept under lock and key

There were different varieties of green and black tea

Because it was costly, only a little tea was used

The maid brought hot water

The hostess then served the tea

To counter the bitter taste, Europeans added milk and sugar

The 18th century had strict rules of etiquette for tea drinking

The tea cup was to be held daintily

Drinking from the saucer and making noise was the height of bad manners

The saucer was used for catching drips...

...but it was not polite to pour them back

Leftover tea leaves were put in the slop basin

You indicated you had drunk enough by putting your spoon in the cup

...or turning the cup upside down

Though it started with the genteel classes, tea gradually eclipsed gin and beer...

to become Britain's national drink