If you know anything about me at all, you’ll know I LOVE history. So it should come as no surprise that, when asked to think about tea-time, I decided to delve into my history books.
When tea was first imported into England in the 17th century, it was ridiculously expensive, and thus the preserve of the very rich. As the price came down, the drink became available in coffee-houses, which were akin to exclusive clubs, admitting only gentlemen. However, in the 18th century, tea was more easily available to purchase and could be drunk at home, which meant women finally got a look in. Wealthier ladies could entertain their friends in a small room called a “closet”, where they would enjoy a dish of tea together. I just love the idea of these ladies huddling together in a tiny room, sharing a bit of gossip and wickedly indulging themselves by drinking tea!
Tea merchants of the 17th and 18th centuries made sure potential buyers knew all about the health-giving properties of tea. Below is a list of claims made for its medicinal use. Not all of them are genuine…I wonder if you can spot the ones that aren’t?
Tea will preserve your health right into old age.
Tea makes the body active and lusty.
Tea improves your vision.
Tea aids digestion in corpulent men and meat-eaters.
Tea removes bowel discomfort.
Tea helps guard against dropsy, scurvy and colds.
Tea helps you breathe more easily.
Tea improves your love-life (as an aphrodisiac).
So, those are the claims. I would love to know if anyone has any proof that tea is such a cure-all. I have to be honest—I’ve never yet heard a centenarian attributing their longevity to excessive tea-drinking!
Be sure to check out Elizabeth’s newest release
Unmasking the Earl
out now!
Devastated by the disappearance of his sister, the Earl of Stranraer has gone to extraordinary lengths to find the notorious rake responsible, and enters his household incognito to wreak his vengeance. But his enemy has an unexpected protector—the innocent but headstrong Miss Cassandra Blythe.
Cassie is determined to learn the art of seduction. But she is blindsided by her body’s thrilling response to the wrong man—a mysterious servant who shows up at the most inauspicious moments to spoil her lessons in love with warnings of her imminent ruin. When she learns the handsome servant’s identity and the reason for his deception, she resolves to help Stranraer, but only if he abandons his vow to destroy his enemy.
The earl is sorely tempted give the meddlesome beauty a lesson in seduction she’ll never forget. But she turns the tables, and he gets his own lesson in forgiveness…and love.
Elizabeth Keysian felt destined to write historical romance due to her Cornish descent, and an ancestral connection to the Norse god Odin. Being an only child gave her plenty of time to read, create imaginary worlds, produce her own comics, and write sketches and a deplorably bad musical for an amateur dramatics group.
Three decades spent working in museums and archaeology fired Elizabeth’s urge to write, as did living on a Knights Templar estate, with a garage full of skeletons, a resident ghost and a moat teeming with newts.
Elizabeth lives near Bath in England with her partner and cats.
About Author
I feel such a fraud, talking about tea when I’ve just started drinking coffee again. I still haven’t quite got the hang of adding soya milk without it curdling though…
But I am not a coffee guru. I can’t tell my espresso from my elbow. But when it comes to tea, I’ve tried lots of different kinds. Favourite? Earl Grey, with milk. I did once think of writing an historical novel about bondage. I was going to call it “Fifty Shades of Earl Grey”. Would you enjoy reading such a book, I wonder?
Fascinating, Elizabeth! I love history too (and tea). I don’t know about tea making me feel lusty! : ) But I do think it aids in digestion.
Congratulations on the release! So glad we are Release Sisters : ) Heather
Aye, release sisters again! There’ll be talk! ?