The following extracts have been taken from The United Kingdom: 100 questions answered, Jan 2003, and The United Kingdom: a modern tradition, May 2002, both published by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, London

Why do the British like drinking tea?

Everything in Britain, says a popular song, 'stops for tea'. It's certainly true that tea is the most popular drink in Britain - far more popular than coffee, which is favoured throughout the rest of Europe and the United States. The Dutch brought the first tea to Europe in about 1610, but it was not until 1658 that the first advertisement for tea appeared in a London newspaper. At first tea was sold in the coffee houses of London. By 1750, tea had become the principal drink in Britain, yet at that time a pound of the cheapest tea cost about one-third of a skilled worker's weekly wage! Tea was Jealously guarded by the lady of the house, and kept in special containers called tea-caddies, often with a lock, and carefully doled out by the teaspoon.

Tea-drinking developed into a fashionable social ritual and was an essential part of the entertainment scene outside the home. People visited tea such as those in Vauxhall, Ranelagh and Marylebone in London to take a stroll, dance, listen to music, watch fireworks and enjoy a cup of tea. lndeed, tea dances remained popular in the UK until the Second World War (1939-4S) and have enjoyed a revival in recent years. Tea parties were also popular at home, and soon the ritual of afternoon tea' was firmly established. Today, throughout the homes, tea-shops and hotels of Britain, the custom of tea-time continues, and it remains a feature of any cricket match or summer fete.

Break for tea

Afternoon tea is a British institution. Whether spending a day at home or out and about in town or countryside, most British people enjoy their afternoon 'cuppa'. Anna, the Seventh Duchess of Bedford, is reputed to have thought up the idea of afternoon tea in the early 1800s to stave off hunger pangs between lunch and dinner. There are few towns without at least one tea-shop and all manner of sandwiches (slices of bread with various fillings in-between), scones with jam and cream, and delicious cakes, are served to accompany tea in tea-shops and hotels throughout the land. The county of Devon in south-west England, with its many dairy farms, is particularly renowned for its 'cream teas', where scones are served with thick clotted cream.

As for the drink itself, tea is traditionally brewed in a china teapot, adding one spoonful of tea per person and one for the pot. Great importance is attached to the use of freshly boiled water which is then poured onto the leaves and the tea is left to 'brew' for a few minutes. Although hundreds of different teas are available, the strong English Breakfast blend is one of the favourites, with added milk, and a little sugar for those with a sweet tooth. Most people in Britain prefer a rich, strong cup of tea with milk, and sugar is sometimes added to taste.

High Tea is a more substantial evening meal, popular in northern England and Scotland.