In the 17th century, tea was introduced from China to England. At the same time as tea entered the UK, a large number of tea sets, furniture, and interior decorations also entered. At the beginning of the formation of the British tea culture, the British tried to imitate China in terms of drinking methods, use of tea sets and arrangement of tea spaces. They are passionate about drinking Chinese tea and are also fascinated by Chinese tea sets and furniture. This process quietly changed the dietary habits, social habits, and aesthetic tastes of the British people, driving the development of the industry.

Recently, Shanghai People's Fine Arts Publishing House launched a new book, "Imagination in the Tea Cup - Sino British Tea Trade and Design Cultural Exchange in the 18th Century". Zhang Chi, the author of the book and teacher of Beijing Institute of Fashion Technology, cut in from the perspective of "a cup of tea", presenting one aspect of the Chinese and British design cultural history. The excerpt from "The Consumption and Localization of British Tea" outlines the process of Chinese lifestyle and Chinese design being introduced into the UK and integrated with British culture.