Coffee may be international but in Britain, even coffee drinkers like nothing better than a nice cup of tea, with or without milk, of an afternoon. And they'll have none of those fancy, spiced or gourmet teas if you please. Just good, solid black teas, brewed to perfection and served in the right sort of cup. These teas, teapots and kettles will deliver the real British cuppa for the tea lovers, British expats or anglophiles on your holiday list.
Mrs. Delaney's Rose Tea Cozy
Courtesy of the British Museum
In 1772, one Mary Delaney, an independent-minded, twice-married gentlewoman, wrote to her niece, "I have a new way of imitating flowers." With this simple note, she described her remarkable "paper mosaicks", now in the British Museum. Her rose design has been reinterpreted in a series of useful, feminine and strikingly modern items including this rose tea cozy. Perfect for keeping a pretty teapot warm and a thoughtful gift for a tea loving friend.
Mrs. Delaney's Rose Tea Towel
Courtesy of the British Museum Shop
Linen tea towels are a most British gift. Everyone woman can expect a few new ones, rolled up as stocking stuffers or offered as last minute gifts from unexpected guests. They're great for lining the tea tray or drying fine glassware. And the art of printing them with wonderful designs is very British too. We love the dramatically graphic roses on a black background, copied from Mrs. Delaney's paper designs, described above. An inexpensive and thoughtful gift for a tea lover or an anglophile.
Electric Tea Kettle
Price Grabber
No self-respecting British kitchen is complete without an electric kettle. It was the tea drinking habit that popularized these kettles but nowadays they're used to boil up water for just about anything. They're energy efficient and useful in the summer - when they don't heat up the kitchen. There are a smart looking, modern versions of brushed stainless steel, glass or glossy enameled metal. Most have automatic shut-offs and other safety features. A nice present for a tea or coffee drinker and useful for safe heating of water in an office or studio.
National Trust Book of Tea-Time Recipes
Price Grabber
Tea cakes and biscuits, scones or crumpets and jam, fresh cream gateaux and the neatest sandwiches (that's neat as in trim and tidy) you've ever seen. A traditional British afternoon tea table is laden with yummy treats and tons of carbs. This wonderful illustrated book, from the National Trust, is full of scrumptious ideas for tea party hosts and hostesses, community fund raisers, anyone who knows that life always looks better with a nice cup of tea and a cake.
Portmeirion Botanic Roses Teapot
Price Grabber
A classic shape from the well known, British brand Portmeirion, turns an ordinary cuppa into a wonderful time out from the daily routine. In Britain, everyone's grannie has one like this - which makes it a nice present for an older lady in your life. Or, buy one to bring back memories of B&B stays, small guest houses and self-catering in vacation rental homes. Made of Portmeirion pottery, it is a festive addition to a holiday table.
Twinings English Breakfast Tea
When it comes to tea, you can't get much more British than Twinings (they say "Twinnings" over here) and when it comes to Twinings, you probably can't get much more English than English Breakfast Tea. This is a gift of home for any British expat. And the solid, caffeine-rich tea drinkers flavor of English Breakfast Tea will brighten up a morning for anyone. Ironically, English Breakfast Tea was invented in Edinburgh, by a Scotsman. It was popularized in England by Queen Victoria and renamed by the restaurants and tea houses in England. Some think that, mixed with milk, English Breakfast tea has the aroma of toast - thus its name. Stock up with a six-pack of 7 oz tins to share with all your tea loving friends.Spode Indian Tree Cup and Saucer
Price Grabber
A nice cup of tea calls for a really nice cup. English bone china maker Spode has an enormous range to choose from. Their Indian Tree pattern is delicate and elegant, a real "raised pinky" number that makes an ordinary cup of cha taste very special. It makes a thoughtful gift for a tea drinker or a teacup collector.
Taylors of Harrogate Lapsang Souchong Teabags
Price Grabber
This uniquely smoky flavored tea is so habit forming that these 50 teabags will disappear in a flash. A black tea from the Fujian Province of China, it is dried over pine fires which impart a distinctive flavor. I was introduced to Lapsang in Northern Ireland and I've been a fan ever since. Choose this one from Taylor's of Harrogate, one of the North's most famous tea merchants, to make a lasting impression.
English Favorites Tea Sampler
A sampler of popular British tea flavors - plus a ringer or two. There are eight different loose teas to try, all packed in pretty tins. The package contains, Cinnamon, Earl Grey, English Breakfast, English Evening, Prince of Wales, Russian Caravan, Decaffeinated Earl Grey, and Decaffeinated English Breakfast Tea. Each tin holds between 0.75 oz and 1.25 oz depending on the leaf size of the tea. A great way to try out lots of different teas and to find the one that brings back the best memories of Britain.