Throughout her novels, Jane Austen was fond of using the term “tea things” as she set the scene in a fine Sussex parlor or the formal Assembly Rooms of Bath. TeaTime contributing editor Bruce Richardson delights his global audiences by sharing what those tea things were and how manners played a significant role in Georgian society.
Tea was an essential ritual in Austen’s stories because a character’s reputation could be determined by how they held a teaspoon or whether they added milk to their cup. Bruce will discuss the origin of Austen’s teas and myriad etiquette tips for enjoying tea at the dawn of the 19th century.
Bruce Richardson is the owner of Kentucky’s Elmwood Inn Fine Teas and the author of 14 books on tea, including A Social History of Tea and Tea & Etiquette. He serves as Tea Master for the Boston Tea Party Ships & Museum and is a frequent speaker at tea and art events worldwide, including the Jane Austen Society of North America Annual General Meeting.
Join us on Tuesday November 17 at 7 p.m. CST for our first ZOOM Meeting to connect with other lovers of all things tea.