Anyone who uses Google will have noticed today's doodle is dedicated to the UK's love of tea - or more specifically to the appearance 358 years ago of the first advert for tea. It was described as "a China drink", which is the phrase Samuel Pepys used a few years later when he first tried the beverage.
Tea, when it first arrived on these shores, was incredibly expensive. Only the richest toffs could afford it, and they kept it locked away in ornate caddies. The lady of the house would keep the caddy key so that the servants couldn't get their filthy mitts on the precious leaves.
So this morning I have five tea/cup related photos for you. Why don't you brew up a cuppa, sit down, and visit
Amy at Love Made My Home to enjoy other people's fives.
This is lovely, isn't it? I can imagine sipping the cup that cheers out of it - but in Victorian society I'd have been frowned upon - it's for drinking coffee, and it's called a can, because of its straight sides. Tea was originally drunk from a bowl, Chinese fashion, and so tea cups are more bowl-shaped, even though they have handles now.
Can't brew proper tea without a pot, so how about this lovely specimen? It's in the Potteries Museum in Stoke on Trent and I would really love something this ornate to make my morning cuppa.
How about a touch of opulence for your tea? This one wouldn't have been for the China drink either. It dates from the Bronze Age and was found in a round barrow (grave mound) in Cornwall. It's in the British Museum, though technically it belongs to the royals because it was found on Duchy of Cornwall land.
Last week I showed you an extract from Blackpool's comedy carpet. Well this one's just up the coast in Morecambe, and it's in front of a statue of the town's
famous son Eric. There are lots of his catch phrases set into the floor around the sculpture, but I think this is my favourite.
Can you guess what language this is? It's so close to home, and yet a significant proportion of the natives don't even speak it. It's Welsh. Paned o te, Cariad?
What a fun post - thank you so much! :DDD
ReplyDeleteWhat an interesting post. Can't imagine how I'd survive without tea, I drink gallons of the stuff... very rarely coffee. That cauliflower teapot is magnificent.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great exhibition! The second tea pot is such a treasure! Very delicate and detailed design! Happy Friday to you!
ReplyDeleteI saw the google heading at around 2p.m. this morning when I was up and couldn't sleep no matter how many sheep I counted. I've enjoyed everything about this post and I love the Bronze age cup and the coffee can. Love the 'tea, Ern' saying which we still remember as well as the 'have you got the scrolls?' one:)
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed your tea post. I did not know about the straight sided cup. Fun fun fun. Enjoy the weekend.
ReplyDeleteWhat great tea moments! A good way to celebrate this. Thank you for joining Five On Friday, lovely to see you, have a good weekend! xx
ReplyDeleteYour Five on Friday posts are always such fun. Thanks for the wonderful tea lesson.
ReplyDeleteHave a great weekend
A great post. I remember the phase 'tea Ern' well from my childhood. Always brings a smile when I hear it.
ReplyDeleteThat's a great post. With one of those elaborate teapots, you wouldn't want a tea cosy on top, would you!
ReplyDeleteA grest 'tea' post although I don't drink it myself, I am a great coffee lover. xx
ReplyDeleteI had noticed that on Google & raised my cuppa in appreciation! & this is a well brewed post, thanks!
ReplyDeleteI've enjoyed your five - factual and entertaining at the same time. The more I look at that teapot the more I love it.
ReplyDeleteInteresting! I had forgotten about the original shapes of cups versus bowls for coffee and tea...and I enjoyed learning more about one of my favorite subjects from you. I have a mug of tea beside me as I type :) xx
ReplyDeleteI do enjoy my tea and this is a wonderful post celebrating that bracing and comforting drink. The Bronze Age cup is an amazing find.
ReplyDeleteI love the 'can' coffee cup too. Eric was one of my favourites too. Love that state in Morcambe. Have a good weekend. :) B
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