Sailors are believed to have brought tea leaves back to Britain in the early part of the 17th century for their friends and families to savour. The first recorded date of tea importation to Britain is 1644. Britain quickly became recognised as the centre of the tea trade. At first, tea was solely the preserve of the elite aristocratic classes as it was an expensive commodity. In fact, tea was considered so valuable it was often kept in locked caddies.
In 1657 Thomas Garway began selling tea from his coffee shop in London. This was a brave step as coffee was more popular at the time in Britain. Tea really took off in Britain after 1662 when Catherine of Braganza, the wife of King Charles II, made it fashionable in the Royal Court.
