Immigrate to Ireland to understand the lifestyle in Ireland: The habit of drinking tea in Ireland gradually formed after 1830. Initially, just like other Western tea-drinking countries, tea was a luxury item only affordable to the wealthy upper class. The Irish aristocracy followed the example of the British nobility by hosting tea parties to socialize, and gradually, as the custom spread, more and more people began to drink tea. Later, in various grocery stores, people exchanged eggs and butter for tea and sugar cubes. By around 1860, all families in Ireland had teapots and a few tea cups, and daily tea drinking became a tradition in Ireland. The Irish accent is quite distinctive, adding an 'a' after the English word 'cup' to emphasize the 'ppa' syllable, pronouncing it as 'cuppa of tea'. According to William Uk’s 'The Tea Book', before 1924, all tea consumed in Ireland was imported from Britain, and there were no independent statistics on tea consumption in Ireland. A survey conducted in 1925 found that the average Irish person consumed nearly eight pounds of tea annually.
Irish tea was originally a blend of Ceylon black tea and Assam tea; in recent years, blends of Kenyan black tea and Assam tea have become more common. Kenyan tea harvested in January and February is vibrant in color and especially tastes good when mixed with milk. Assam tea from June (known as second flush) is the most intense, with a robust and smooth flavor. Kenyan tea is grown without pesticides, and the tea gardens are situated at high altitudes, free from pests. Kenyan tea developed later and benefited from Britain's experience in establishing tea plantations in India, being well-planned and modern. Among British tea, Ceylon tea, Kenyan tea, and second flush Assam tea, Assam has a lower yield, and Ceylon tea is generally more expensive than Indian tea, particularly Uva and Badulla, with better flavor when harvested in January, September, and October.
The best tea in Ireland is often referred to as 'Pot of Gold Tea'. In Ireland, people are accustomed to drinking tea three times a day: breakfast tea is served with breakfast, afternoon tea occurs between 3 and 5 PM, and during dinner, there is a type called 'high tea'. 'High tea' is the tea for 'working people', typically served as a dinner for those engaged in manual labor. It is so named because people eat at a high table, distinguishing it from the leisurely afternoon tea. Some also claim it denotes a difference in time, with afternoon tea occurring after noon, while high tea is the later 'noon', extending into the evening and night. This concept of afternoon and high tea is similar in England and Scotland. If someone invites you to afternoon tea, it usually consists of tea paired with savory and sweet pastries, while high tea refers to a dinner tea with hot dishes, bread, cheese served with hot tea, ensuring you eat well.
Tea plays a significant role in the life of the Irish, where there is a tradition of Irish wake. When a loved one passes away, family and friends keep vigil in the home until dawn the next day. Throughout the night, water is continuously boiled on the stove, and hot tea is served without interruption. In the toughest times, the Irish find companionship in tea.