Yes, there is something endearing about British tea culture, and watching Queen Elizabeth II sip her Earl Grey or rather Olivia Coleman in Season 4 of The Crown 🤴
British tea culture reminds us of black teas, bone chinas and afternoon tea traditions, scones to crumpets and shortbread cookies. And globalization of tea of course. That said, we do need to understand that tea is part of British colonial legacy – this includes oppression under indentured servitude, exploitation of workers in South Asia to illegal smuggling of opium into China causing Opium wars.
Till today, there are several plantations where employees live in sub-human conditions.
Now understanding and recognizing this complex colonial legacy and denouncing the negatives :
History is history and we learn from it. We also learn to appreciate each other’s cultures. We can’t judge Japan of today or Germany of today for what the Axis powers did in World War 2. Or judge UK, France, Belgium, Spain of today for their colonial legacy.
So if you want to have a cuppa like Lizzie in Buckingham palace does, go for it!
But let’s appreciate the hard-work put into tea manufacturing. It’s not all fancy and candy-flossy as things appear to be. historically many things were built on the backs of other people. Let’s not forget their sufferings and sacrifices.
Best Regards,
The Earl of Lavenders
The Earl of Lavenders' Tea Parties 