Have you ever thought, Wow, I could really use a gallery of iconic historical tea photos right now? Well, you’re in luck! Step into the past and explore how tea shaped moments, big and small, through the ages <3
Tea, as we know, isn’t just a drink—it’s a ritual, a gathering point, a symbol of hospitality, and sometimes even a snapshot of history itself. Photographs from a hundred years ago were often taken with great care, capturing not just people but the very essence of their surroundings and social customs.
Imagine lugging around large cameras, setting up heavy equipment, and posing for extended periods—every photo was deliberate, and tea often made its way into these moments of stillness and connection. How bloody cool is that?!
Let the photographs ~commence!~
Afternoon tea was a big deal in Edwardian England, and this photo shows just how central it was to social life. Tea parties were all about connecting with friends and family, with delicate cakes and little sandwiches. It was the ultimate social ritual, and we love that this is just a photo of ladies sitting around and nattering with their tea—it reminds us just how similar we are, still.
Back then especially, afternoon tea was also a way for women to carve out spaces of social authority, as these gatherings allowed them to exert control over their own domestic lives. Tea became a vehicle for women to engage in meaningful conversations, sometimes about politics, art, or societal issues. It was as much about culture as it was about comfort.
Tea wasn't just an English thing—it spread everywhere (although perhaps the British played their part, somewhat disgracefully). This snapshot from colonial New Zealand shows just how embedded tea was in daily life, even in the most remote places, as seen by these Williams women.
Family tea time is a common theme in these vintage photos, and this one from Ireland is a great example. Tea was more than just a beverage; it was a way for families to come together, relax, and share their day. In rural Ireland, it was an essential part of daily life—just like it was for so many other families around the world. This is a super cute scene, and is reminiscent of the old tea times we would have had in Wales, too.
The act of sitting down for a family tea break was, in many ways, an antidote to the hard labor of rural life. It provided families with a chance to pause before returning to the gruelling work that defined their days.
This photo is a little weird, and the vibes are a tad sus. We wanted to include it nonetheless—what do you think of it?
Europeans, during this period, often viewed tea as a symbol of exoticism, and this image reflects a broader fascination with the East that was shaped by colonial narratives. It’s a stark contrast to the Westernised tea customs we now associate with British afternoon tea.
Tea is synonymous with hospitality, and even moving house was no exception! In Britain of the olden years—the same as today—it was common to offer tea to anyone doing hard work. It's such a simple, yet meaningful gesture that highlights how ingrained tea was and is in daily life as a way to show appreciation.
This image makes us incredibly sad. The image of child tea workers in India shines a light on the darker side of tea production, particularly during the colonial era. While tea brought comfort to millions around the world, it often came at a cost to the workers—many of whom were children—who laboured in gruelling conditions to pick and process the leaves.
This exploitation still happens today in some parts of the world, which is why it’s so, so important to choose to support tea companies that prioritise ethical sourcing and fair treatment for all workers. By supporting businesses that ensure workers are paid fairly, work in safe conditions, and are treated with respect, we can help make a positive impact in an industry with a history of inequality.
Choosing teas that are from farms with transparent practices is one step we can take toward creating a more sustainable and compassionate tea culture.
In times of war, tea became more than just a drink—it was a small comfort that helped people get through tough times. This photo of women taking a tea break while working at a gas company during WWI is a great example of how tea breaks became essential for boosting morale, especially when people were working long, hard hours.
Tea was a quiet symbol of resistance during war, providing workers with a small moment of normalcy amid the chaos. Even in the most difficult of times, people turned to tea as a source of solace, proving its power to heal and rejuvenate.
In large tea factories, like the one in this image, the tea process can be incredibly complex.
Making the perfect cup of tea takes more than just steeping leaves in hot water—it’s all about the blend. Creating the perfect blend involves a combination of knowledge, skill, and sometimes even a little bit of artistry.
The art of tea blending is not just about combining different flavours but also about understanding the cultural preferences of different markets. In the 1930s, companies like Bushells catered to Australian consumers’ tastes, blending teas that were more robust and suited to the local climate. This process continues today, where each region’s tea preferences shape the way blends are created.
Also from Bushells, this photo shows a team of, this time, female workers in the coupon department at the tea factory in Sydney, where tea packaging and promotions were an essential part of the business.
During the 1930s, many companies used coupons or stamps as part of marketing campaigns, often encouraging customers to collect them for discounts, free gifts, or other rewards. For the workers in the coupon department, their role involved carefully sorting and preparing these coupons to be included in tea boxes. While it may seem like a small task, it was a vital part of getting the tea into the hands of customers.
The growth of marketing and advertising in the 1930s helped turn tea into more than just a commodity—it became a lifestyle. Tea companies tapped into emerging consumer behaviours, creating campaigns that shaped how we think about tea even today.
Tea breaks were, as you now know, essential during WWI, offering a brief moment of rest for workers. This photo shows a group of women in Manchester, who were working in a factory that supported the war effort. In between long shifts, tea provided a small but important respite—a chance to relax and recharge for the work ahead. Note how young they were.
The image also brings attention to the young women who entered the workforce during wartime, and how the experience of working during such a pivotal time would later influence social changes, including women's rights and the role of women in the workforce.
Tea had a strong presence in Russia, too, and this vintage ad shows how it was marketed as a luxurious and refined product. Before the Russian Revolution, tea was a symbol of sophistication and wealth, often enjoyed by the elite during lavish gatherings.
The advertisement speaks to the cultural prestige of tea, which in Russia, was an essential part of the 'teapot' tradition. Tea parties were social events where the elite gathered to discuss politics, art, and culture, often centred around the samovar, an iconic Russian tea kettle used to brew and serve tea. The samovar became a symbol of hospitality and status, with its ornate design and functionality making it a centrepiece of gatherings.
Post-revolution, tea would continue to be an important part of Russian life, but its symbolism would shift dramatically, as the social dynamics surrounding tea also changed.
In China, tea production is an art form. This image from the Ya'an Tea Factory in Sichuan shows the meticulous process of sorting tea leaves, where every detail matters. Each leaf is carefully examined and sorted to ensure the highest quality—an essential step in producing the premium teas China is known for.
However, the young faces in this image provide a sobering reminder that not all tea production is as ideal as it seems. The child labour visible here highlights an uncomfortable truth: while tea can be a symbol of peace, comfort, and connection, its production has sometimes relied on the exploitation of vulnerable workers, including children. It’s a stark contrast to the beauty of tea’s global journey, but an important part of the conversation we must have as a tea company, and as tea consumers.
This image serves as a reminder that we must always strive to source tea from ethical companies—those that prioritise fair labour practices and ensure that workers are treated with respect and dignity.
In Sri Lanka (then known as Ceylon), tea pluckers, predominantly Tamil women, were the backbone of the tea industry. Working in difficult conditions, they would spend hours in the fields, carefully plucking the tender tea leaves by hand. This photograph, from the early 1900s, highlights the labour-intensive process of harvesting tea in Ceylon’s lush landscapes.
These women’s tireless work played a significant role in making Ceylon tea world-renowned. However, it also sheds light on the exploitation faced by these workers, who often laboured for little pay under harsh conditions. Today, the legacy of these women lives on in the ongoing conversation about fair labour practices in tea production.
Before the days of motorised transport, tea was moved across the island of Ceylon (Sri Lanka) by bullock carts. This image takes us back to a time when the tea harvest was manually transported from the plantations to factories for processing. These bullock carts were essential in getting the freshly plucked leaves from remote plantations to the factories that would turn them into the black tea that made Ceylon famous.
The image is a powerful reminder of the labour that went into every cup of tea, as well as the long journey it made before reaching the global market. The simplicity of the cart contrasts with the complex network of global trade that tea became part of.
And finally, afternoon tea in colonial Australia was as much about leisure and social connections as it was about the tea itself. This photograph from the verandah of "Harefield" captures the laid-back elegance of the time. It’s an image of a relaxed colonial tea break—where settlers would gather, sip tea, and engage in conversation.
The verandah, a popular feature of Australian homes during the colonial period, became a key space for these social rituals. Afternoon tea here wasn’t just about drinking tea—it was an essential part of establishing community ties and a symbol of the settlers’ connection to the British traditions they brought with them. It speaks to how tea permeated the social fabric of new colonies, creating a familiar, comforting routine amid the unfamiliarity of life on the other side of the world.
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It wasn’t easy to find photos of the farmers and workers who were instrumental in creating the tea legacy we celebrate today—but we tried our best. We've pieced together glimpses of their stories, and think that these all serve as a poignant reminder of tea’s journey through hands, lands, and lives.
Ngl, we're pretty proud of our work today. Now, it's time for a brew.
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