Tuesday Tea and Ton: The Duke and I, the first in the Bridgerton series with its own tea!

Bridgerton has inspired a new line of teas and a BTS tea talk!

Bridgerton is hot and steamy - and we're not talking about just the tea!

Our Tuesday Tea and Tomes feature has been modified slightly due to the subject matter of our latest book spotlight, "The Duke and I", the first of the Bridgerton novels which have inspired an ongoing Netfix series. The Bridgerston stories center on an aristocratic family with eight children who navigate high society, i.e. the "ton", in England's Regency period. 

If you love Jane Austen (and, yes, we do!), you will find much to relish with the Bridgertons:  there are plenty of balls, beautiful dresses, country estates and "Ambitious Mamas". Those among the latter category have a preoccupation in life and that is  to find - to paraphrase the opening line of "Pride and Prejudice" -  that single man of good fortune who must be in want of a good wife.  Like Mrs. Bennet, the ton is full of designing mothers seeking the most suitable matches for their daughters.

The Bridgerton stories do differ from Austen novels, however, in their sauciness. While there's little mention of public displays of affection in Austen's tales, there are plenty of steamy boudoir scenes detailed in Bridgerton.  

And, what could be a better accompaniment to such bodice-ripping reading than a cup of steaming hot Bridgerton tea from The Republic of Tea? (see tea review below).

Bridgerton tea, tomes and television, hot and steamy!

"The Duke and I" is the story of a single gentleman whose title of "duke" puts him at the top of the aristocratic hierarchy, making him highly desirable to both mothers and daughters of the ton. Oh, did I mention, that he's also tall, handsome and somewhat mysterious? It's the icing on the cake - or, perhaps, more appropriately - the heavy cream on the freshly baked scone!

Enter Daphne Bridgerton, a pretty and capable young woman, seeking to marry for love not just convenience. She enters "the season" looking for romance while maneuvering through the ton's sometimes stifling etiquette  and  battling with protective, but often ridiculous, older brothers. In addition, she  continually monitors the oft published scandal sheet from the anonymous gossip scribe, "Lady Whisteldown", in hopes of not receiving any bad press.  

A fun and fanciful read, cleverly threaded together with the equally sharp tongue and pen of Lady Whistledown.

One note of caution - the newer editions of the Bridgerton series include a "second epilogue" which continues the stories several years (decades) beyond. We found a few "spoilers" for future Bridgerton tales, so if you don't want to know outcomes of later story lines before they are revealed in the original books, hold off reading second epilogues until you have finished the series.

As mentioned, "The Duke and I" is the first of eight Bridgerton books, one for each of the Bridgerton children.  We've enjoyed the Netflix series and the books, too. Bridgerton brings a fresh outlook to the Regency period, including a resurgence in the genteel lifestyle (see our blog from January, 2021, Fancy tea sets surge in popularity, credit Neflix and quarantine). 

We're so fond of Bridgerton, that we at Barb's Tea Service have added a "Bridgerton-inspired Tea Talk" to our list of programs. For more information, contact us at barb@barbsteaservice.com. (gloves and ball gowns optional, although we have ours!).

The Republic of Tea's Brigerton blends, delightful to pair with your Bridgerton books

And, now that tea review. . . 

The Republic of Tea has a line of Bridgerton teas, and, not too surprisingly, we chose to sip "Duke and Dutchess" tea while reading "The Duke and I".  It is a hearty, but sweet (like Daphne and the Duke!) blend which includes natural honey, sweet blackberry leaves, and vanilla and orange blossom flavors mixed together with black tea. 

The tea label, which prominently features the Duke and Daphne from the Netflix series, instructs one to "sip this seductive infusion to ignite desire, and ultimately, devotion. Best taken with a big spoonful of warm milk."

In addition, may we suggest a few rapid waves of one's fan, especially when the Duke enters the room. 

Until the next Bridgerton season!

The next Bridgerton book, also Season Two of the Netflix series