British Expats in Spain beloved cuppa has come under threat after a series of attacks in the red sea by Houthi rebels
Concern is mounting among British Expats in Spain this week, amid reports of potential supply shortages stemming from US-UK military actions targeting Houthi rebels in the Red Sea.
The quintessential British tradition of teatime faces a precarious situation, as recent attacks on supply ships by Houthi forces threaten to disrupt the flow of tea to the UK.
The Institute of Export and International Trade explained the problem is that over half of all the British tea is sourced from India and Kenya with that supply chain depending on Red Sea shipping routes.
The initial indications of this disruption were observed by major British supermarket chain Sainsbury’s, which issued a notice stating, “We are encountering supply challenges affecting the nationwide availability of black tea. We apologise for any inconvenience and strive to restore full supply expeditiously.”
Andrew Opie, director of food and sustainability at the British Retail Consortium, said to The Times newspaper: “There is temporary disruption to some black tea lines, but the impact on consumers will be minimal as retailers are not expecting significant challenges.”
Why the British love their tea
- The British love for tea traces back to historical factors. Tea became popular in Britain during the 17th century due to the influence of trade with China through the East India Company.
- Heavy taxation on tea by the government made it a status symbol and a luxury item, further reinforcing its popularity among the elite.
- The comforting and warming properties of tea, particularly in cold weather, contributed to its widespread adoption among the British population.
