Tea is popular in many countries. Thousands of people all about the world begin their days with a cup of tea.

Everyone knows that tea is the most popular drink in Britain. Britain is a tea-drinking nation. Tea is the British national drink. Everything in Britain stops for tea.

Tea is one of the most favorite Russian drinks. Tea is a part of Russian culture.

Each country has many traditions of tea-drinking.

My hypothesis Russian and English tea-meals have different traditions.

The object of the research : the system of customs in Great Britain and in Russia. The subject of the research : the traditions of tea-drinking in Great Britain and in Russia.

to find the differences between Russian and English tea-drinking traditions The aim of the research The tasks of the research 1) to study the history and customs of Russian and English tea-drinking, 2) to compare the customs of tea- traditions in Great Britain and Russia, 3) to confirm or refute the hypothesis.

Tea History in Great Britain Tea was first brought to Britain in the 17th century. It was an expensive product. Catherine of Braganza, wife of Charles II introduced the tea-drinking to the English Royal Court. At the end of the 18th century, tea-drinking became a family tradition.

Since 1638, tea has had a rich history in Russia. Russian Tsar Michael Fedorovich got special diplomatic gift from Altyun-Khan, the ruler of Mongolia. The tea was first introduced to the Czar and Russian Elite. Some later the tea- drinking moved down through the Russian classes. Tea History in Russia

Tea time in Great Britain Usually the British drink about 6 cups of tea daily. 1.The morning tea they drink at 6 o’clock, and often in the bed. 2.The next tea the British have at 8 o’clock, during the first light breakfast. 3.At 11 or 12 o’clock, the British have lunch, which is completed without tea. 4.In the middle of the workday they make a little «tea break». 5.At five o'clock in the evening, in the famous "five- o’clock”, millions of British are drinking " English Afternoon tea". 6.Evening after the work is a period of "high tea".

The story of the famous “five-o’clock” Anna Maria Stanhope, the Duchess of Bedford was always very hungry by late afternoon. Her servants brought her tea and such tasty things as cakes, bread and butter sandwiches, sweets. The “afternoon tea” is a real national English tradition.

Tea time in Russia In Russia tea is served after meals and during mid-afternoon breaks. The Russians may drink tea in any part of day and in any place - in office, in a car, in a park. When friends visit somebody hosts invite them to have a cup of tea.

Traditonal way of making tea in Great Britain is like in Russia

The British and the Russian way The Russian add hot water in the concentrated tea. The British usually add tea in milk or milk in tea – the first is more traditional for them.

The right teapot in Great Britain is the metal or china one.

Every family in Russia has porcelain tea-pots of different sizes and different decoration.

The samovar - the central symbol of the Russian tea ceremony.

The traditional meals to the English tea ceremony are finger sandwiches with butter and cucumber, traditional British scones with thick cream and jam, small crumpets with butter and honey, fruit cakes, Victoria sponges, chocolate cakes, ginger bread, finger biscuits, baskets with fresh fruits.

The traditional meals to the Russian tea ceremony Russian seldom serve tea with milk or cream. Often tea is served with slices of lemon, different cakes and cookies. Jam, honey or fresh butter are served to spread onto bread.

Conclusion Tea is the most popular drink in Great Britain and in Russia. The main differences between the English and Russian tea ceremony are in tea-time and tea- making. Usually the British drink 6 cups of tea daily and they have a real national custom of “five-o’clock ”. The Russians may drink tea in any part of day and in any place. The British usually add tea in milk or milk in tea – the first is more traditional for the British. The Russians add hot water in the concentrated tea.

Russian and English tea-meals have different traditions.

My hypothesis was confirmed and the aim and the tasks were achieved!

Thank you for attention!