Tea Time in Jane Austen’s Time
But indeed I would rather have nothing but tea.”
—Jane Austen, Mansfield Park
On Saturday, I attended another great meeting of the Jane Austen Society of North America, Minnesota Region. This month’s topic was “An Exploration of Teas,” followed by an afternoon-tea-inspired lunch. Since my friend Kristine has hosted me for many a tea party, I took her along as my guest.
Our speaker was Julia Matson, proprietor of Bingley’s Teas, a Minneapolis-based company that offers delicious tea blends based on characters from Jane’s novels, like Marianne’s Wild Abandon, Lizzie Bennet’s Wit, and Mr. Knightley’s Reserve (three of my favorites).
Ms. Matson has studied tea for the past 11 years and shared interesting information about tea in Jane Austen’s time. Here are just a few highlights from her talk:
Tea was initially highly taxed and the average person could not afford good quality tea. At a time when workers earned 9 shillings/week, tea cost 5-10 shillings/pound. Later, tea prices decreased and consumption across England greatly increased.
When is tea not tea? If it doesn’t include Camellia Sinesis leaves, it is not tea. Herbal “tea” should more accurately be called a herbal tisane.
Tea was served in specially crafted tea ware and in some homes, special tea tables were always laid for tea in case guests came to call.
Foods served with tea include seed cake, gingerbread, ratafia cake, fancy flummeries, stamped biscuits (cookies), etc.
Jane Austen ordered her family’s tea primarily from Twinings in London. Some of the types of tea available then (imported from China) were:
- Bohea (“Boo yee”)
- Congou
- Orange pekoe
- Young hyson
- Gunpowder
- Imperial green
- Twankay
- Souchong (a smoked tea)
- Scented teas (jasmine, rose, bergamot, etc.)
Ms. Matson described a fascinating process in which jasmine flowers (gathered in peak bloom at midnight) are laid over tea leaves to scent them. After a time, the first blossoms are gathered up, and a second, and sometimes a third round of blossoms are laid on the tea to give them the desired fragrance.
She also shared some 18th Century Tea Etiquette from the book The Mirror of the Graces by a Lady of Distinction:
- The hostess serves the tea.
- Keep conversation to polite topics. No double entendres.
- Don’t give your option too decidedly.
- Comport yourself with elegance—refrain from scratching and spitting.
- Turn over your cup to signal when you are finished; otherwise the hostess will keep refilling your cup.
There are two traits in her character which are pleasing; namely, she admires Camilla [sic; tea] and drinks no cream in her tea.”
—Jane Austen, in a letter to her sister about a Miss Fletcher
Ms. Matson is a charming speaker. We all enjoyed her informative talk and the tea she gave each of us to take home and sample for ourselves. Check out her delicious selections yourself at: Bingley’s Teas.
A blend of lively green and black teas with bright flower petals and passionate fruits.
I used to be a die-hard coffee drinker, but for the last year I’ve been drinking mostly tea. In fact, my last book was written on tea…lots and lots of tea! What about you? Are you a tea drinker too?
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What a fun meeting! I primarily drink coffee, but I have a strong appreciation for teas (I primarily grew up drinking hot tea). I have found I go through cycles where I prefer one over the other. That being the case, my cabinet is always stocked with wonderful varieties.
My tea loving heart enjoyed this post! It was very informative. Thank you for sharing! I adore characters in books that drink tea and was most excited when I found Tea Forte in Homegoods after reading about it in one of Dani Pettrey’s books.
I’m a confirmed tea drinker. I brew a pot every morning. I’m not sure how elegantly I drink it, though.
I do not like coffee, so I am a tea drinker. Right now I’m enjoying a cup of sweet orange tea. My favorite black tea is Darjeeling with honey in it. Another favorite is roobois. I like all different kinds and flavors of tea.
Lovely post, Julie. I am a dedicated tea drinker though my tastes are very simple. Black tea with honey is my go-to. How fun to sample Austen-inspired teas. Ms. Matson sounds like a woman of refinement and the perfect hostess for your afternoon tea.
While I love a cup of hot decaf tea with NO sugar or cream, this winter I have been drinking decaf coffee with peppermint mocha creamer, my favorite. As the temperature warms, I will switch back to tea since I can have a cup of hot tea in the morning and then ice it for a refreshingly cold drink for hot days in Houston, TX.
Fun post! I drink mostly tea, but waver to coffee around Christmas and mid-winter. Then back to tea. I used to love English tea (milk and raw sugar) but gave that up when I quit sugar. Now it’s just black Irish with a drop of honey. Mmmm.
I am a tea drinker, as I tell many people that I’m not old enough to drink coffee. 😉😁😂 Both PG Tips and Harney & Son’s Hot Cinnamon Spice are my current favorite teas.
I thoroughly enjoyed your post on tea and would have enjoyed listening to Ms. Matson’s presentation.
Thank you for sharing this post and the link as well.
Interesting post. I’m a tea drinker – can’t stand the taste of coffee, which smells so good. I try almost any kind of tea and love blends.
Laura Childs writes a cozy tea shop mystery series (#20 just released) set in Charleston, S.C., featuring owner and amateur sleuth Theodosia Browning and her tea sommelier Drayton. Lots of interesting tea facts and ideas for serving tea.
Thanks for the tip about Bingley’s.
Delightfully informative post! I drink decaf coffee in the morning, then “herbal tisanes” in the afternoon or evening.
I am a total tea drinker! Over the last year my mom has started to drink more tea as well because it’s always in the house nowadays! Thanks for telling me about Bingley Tea – totally going to try it out soon.
Most of my life I was a tea drinker. I carried my mug of tea as I taught in my classroom every day. My students noticed and mentioned it to their parents who kindly told me how it had a calming affect on their children. Unfortunately I developed a sensitivity to tannins and now drink coffee.
I loved this blog post. It was wonderful learning some about tea time in Jane Austen’s day.
I can’t stand coffee. I have had all of one sip of it in my life and thought it was disgusting! I am a die hard tea drinker and have fallen in love with loose leaf teas over the past couple of years.
I enjoy sipping a cup of tea while reading!
Oh, yes. I drink a pot of hot tea every day. Almost always I use loose tea and a china cup. We have one of those electric kettles. It heats the water faster and you can control the water temperature to properly fit the type of tea you are drinking.
I see you have Elizabeth Bennet’s picture on the header using what I call “The Bennet China”. Whenever I see that pattern in period dramas I always call it that. Here’s is a very similar pattern from Royal Crown Derby that one can purchase today.
https://www.royalcrownderby.co.uk/tableware/by-pattern/royal-antoinette/
The pattern is called Royal Antoinette and would be lovely to own. All of their pieces are just stunningly beautiful.
Another tea drinker here! 🙂 It’s always a great beverage to have whatever the season.
It so happens I’m returning to the UK for my upcoming vacation. I plan to have champagne afternoon tea or two! Obviously not something done during Jane Austen’s day however it makes for a great treat.
I adore tea, and can’t stand coffee. I do rather wish teatime was still a thing in America!
And I’ve not heard of Bingly’s Teas before — but I will have to try them out!
Great post, Julie – I so enjoy tea and love to hear all these insights about it. Love my coffee in the morning but tea in the afternoon or evening is just the best. And thankfully I can drink it late and it doesn’t keep me awake.
what a fun post, I love tea!
This was charming! Thank you. In a very Janeish mood at the moment – just read a fun article in Vogue magazine about a new book called The Jane Austen Diet. Has anyone heard anything about it?! I’m so intrigued!
I’m a tea drinker and a Jane Austen fan — definitely need to check this out!
Thank you for the interesting information about tea! Ms. Matson obviously is a person with a wealth of fascinating knowledge. I recall a similar tea party where our mutual friend, Gina, shared the tea knowledge she acquired during her travels. I’m looking forward to sampling English teas with you in June!