France

Tea arrived in France in the first half of the 16th century, during the reign of Louis XIII, at the same time as other luxury colonial products, chocolate and coffee, and gained popularity with the arrival of Jules Mazarin at court, who attributed medicinal virtues to tea. However, the price was high and tea was reserved for aristocrats.

The practice of putting milk in tea developed at the French court, as the liquid, when too hot, could damage porcelain cups.