Tea Clippers were vital to the tea trade until the opening of the Suez Canal in 1869 and were in operation until the end of the 1880's. During their hight the Tea Clippers caught the attention of the public and there were many popular and well-publicized races between ships, often with large prizes for the crew of the winning ship. The increase of tea on the British market due to the clipper ships aided in driving down the price of tea so members of the working class could afford it. In 1864 the manageress of an Aerated Bread Company shop persuaded her directors to allow her to serve food and liquid refreshments in the shop. She dispensed tea to her more favored customers and soon attracted many clients clamoring for the same service.
Tea shops spread throughout Britain, becoming as much a tradition as tea itself.
Blending Blending teas began around 1870 when tea merchants such as Twinings began to blend different varieties of tea from differing regions to achieve a stable taste. Twining's English Breakfast Blend, for example, has tasted essentially the same for decades. Now the consumer was sure of exactly what flavor she or he was buying, and would be more likely to buy more once a favorite blend was discovered. A reduction of import duties lowered the price of tea, so buying more of the favored blend was economically easier than ever before. By 1901, tea consumption in England reached nearly 120 million kg by weight per year.