It may come as a surprise, but drinking tea during the Blitz and throughout World War Two was a vital necessity, so much so that in 1942, the UK Government decided to buy every available pound of black tea from all over the world (apart from Germany and Japan) - indeed tea was listed as one of the top five purchases of the World War II equating the weight of purchased tea alone to be more than the purchased weight of artillery shells and explosives!
The importance of tea was so great that during the bombing of London in 1941 (the Blitz), one of the primary targets of the German attack was Mincing Lane, also known as "The Street of Tea", which had been heavily associated with the trading of opium at a time when Britain used large amounts of opium to purchase tea from China. More than half of the tea brokers' offices and records were destroyed that night, and whilst around 30,000 tons of tea had already been stored well away from London after the Blitz, the remaining stocks were quickly moved to over 500 locations throughout the UK.
For those troops on the front line, sharing a cup of tea allowed soldiers to have a moment of calm amidst the ongoing madness and offered a chance to chat with their comrades. In addition, drinking tea helped the troops to stay hydrated and alert whilst reducing the consumption of alcohol.
Tea was more than a beverage; it was a symbol of national unity, and its role of boosting morale in Britain and worldwide was compelling. It provided a warm and comforting escape from the devastation of WWII and was a welcomed reminder of home for those fighting overseas.
On VE Day, we remember all those of WWII for, without their courage and sacrifice, the world would be very different today. Therefore, pop the kettle on and join us as we celebrate with a good cup of tea.
