Tea Cosies have been in existence for generations and whilst they can be found in many designs, colours and shapes; each is for the purpose of covering a tea pot and keeping it nice and hot.
Traditionally manufactured from cloth or wool, these were created to insulate our tea just like a little jacket to help keep it warm while it brews and usually they appear like a knitted, woolly bobble hat.
It is reasonable to say tea cosies came about when tea was first introduced in Britain in the 1660s, but the first ever reported tea cosy being utilized in the UK wasn’t until 1867.
Importing this type of luxurious item back then was very expensive so therefore just the most noble ladies and gentlemen would have been able to afford to drink it; making it Britain’s nationwide drink.
This specific correlates with the fact that the activity of ‘afternoon tea’ had been founded by the Duchess of Bedford in 1840; which gave rise to its recognition. It was rather a posh affair, with the finest china home-ware and cutlery getting used; eating elegant cakes and pastries whilst drinking tea.
Tea Cosies grew to become used in North America in the same period, with newspapers reporting ‘a sudden and unexpected rise in public favour’ among ladies who hosted tea parties. They’d even include assistance posts in the newspapers concerning how to make a tea cosy.
Even to this very day we call the period of time around 4 o’clock ‘tea time’.
These days, they’re made and therefore are accessible in matching sets to fit your oven gloves, tea towels or aprons. And you may even purchase Egg Cosies too!