The Commoditization of Tea in Britain

In the UK, tea is a drink normally added to milk and sugar. However, when making tea such as water, sugar, milk, tea etc. in the 17th century, the UK found all amounts of milk and water. In the UK 's 1650' s, aristocrats and rich people became consumers of sugar. But by 1800, sugar became a necessity for British diet, and by 1900 the caloric intake of that diet reached almost a fifth. Sugar's high-end position has driven its appeal.

In terms of tea production, the UK is a small country. It is definitely a big consumer of tea. It mainly imports tea from other countries. But Britain is also a big tea exporter. The UK tea movement accounts for the majority of the whole tea. Processed tea is sold almost anywhere in the world. UK 's largest tea brand, the history of Lipton, can convey important information on the competitiveness of British tea. Lipton has a history of over 100 years. It is now the world's largest tea brand. Lipton has its own research center to study the health and psychological benefits of tea, tea cultivation, processing and tasting. Lipton tea is mixed with many countries such as China and India. Sri Lanka Lipton also has its own production base in Africa to ensure sustainability (Lipton, 2010).

One of the main products exported from India to England is tea. East India Company started producing commercial tea in Assam in the 1920s. As a growing industry, by 1900 there are about 4,000 tea gardens in the north and south of India and over 2,000 tea gardens in Ceylon (now Sri Lanka). This popular drink has produced a very beneficial industry, and in the UK there is a tea culture with typical British customs and rituals. Advertisements from the tea maker Lipton promise to bring the teapot directly from the tea garden to the teapot. A romantic image represents a beautiful Indian plantation worker who consumes comfortable drinks. It does not reflect the reality of Teapicker's harsh life including low wages and long-time physical labor.

Until 1767, East India Company imposed VAT of about 25% on imports to the UK. The council imposes additional tax on tea consumed in the UK. These high taxes, together with imports from the Dutch Republic, will not be taxed by the Dutch government. This means that British and British people can purchase smuggled Dutch tea at a cheaper price. The biggest market for illegal tea is Britain - By the 1760s East India Company lost 400,000 pounds a year to British smugglers - but the Dutch tea was also smuggled to the UK.