Tea Traditions on the Corn Islands

On the Corn Islands, drinking tea is part of daily life. It’s something many people grow up with and continue doing into old age. The tradition of tea-drinking was first introduced by English, Welsh, Irish, and Scottish immigrants in the 1700s, and over time, it became something locals—those descended from formerly enslaved Africans, Indigenous people, and Europeans—made their own.

Most people on the islands don’t drink packaged teas. Instead, they use local plants like fever grass (lemongrass), wild basil, and sometimes other herbs they grow in their yards. These are boiled in water and served hot, often without sugar or with cow milk. Some people call it “green cocoa” because of the colour and the way it’s usually prepared—similar to how cocoa tea is made, but using leaves instead of cocoa.

Tea is usually served with a slice of bread, flour tortillas, sweet bun, biscuits, or something homemade like a patjack. For many families, especially older generations, tea used to be their supper. It wasn’t unusual for people to have just tea and bread before bed.

Before enamel cups and mugs were common, people used what they had—like condensed milk cans. They’d hammer down the edges and drink straight from those. It wasn’t fancy, but it worked.

Offering someone tea when they visit is still a sign of hospitality. It’s something you do to show care. There’s no fixed time for drinking tea either. Some have it in the morning, others in the evening, or when they’re just relaxing and talking with family or neighbours.

It’s a simple tradition, but one that continues across generations.