Ancient China: Where Tea Was Born
Tea’s history dates back almost 5,000 years to ancient China. Legend has it that tea was first discovered in 2732 B.C. Emperor Shen Nung discovered tea by infusing leaves from a wild tree into boiling water. The pleasant aroma of the resulting tea attracted his attention immediately and he drank some. Legend has it that the emperor felt warm as he drank the mysterious brew. It was as if the liquid was examining every part of him.
Shen Nung called the brew “ch’a”, a Chinese character that means to check or investigate. In 200 B.C. A Han Dynasty Emperor decreed that tea must have a special written character to illustrate wood branches, grass, or a man between them. This written character (pronounced “ch’a”) symbolized how tea brought humanity into harmony with nature in Chinese culture.
China’s Tea History
From the 4th to the 8th centuries, tea popularity in China grew rapidly. Tea was no longer used solely for its medicinal benefits. It became a valued beverage for daily pleasure and refreshment. As tea plantations grew in China, tea merchants prospered and teawares that were elegant and costly became the hallmark of the wealth and status their owners.
The cultivation and preparation of the tea crop was tightly controlled by the Chinese empire. Because of their purity, it was specified that only young women were allowed to handle tea leaves. In case of contaminating the tea leaves, these young women were forbidden from eating garlic, onions or strong spices.
The Invention of Black Tea Until the middle of 17th century, all Chinese tea was Green tea. The Chinese tea growers realized that special fermentation could be used to preserve the tea leaves. This allowed them to increase their foreign trade. The Black Tea resulting from this process retained its aroma and flavor longer than the more delicate Green Teas. It was also better prepared for export to other countries.
Tea in Modern China
Tea has been an integral part Chinese culture for thousands years. It was used before the Egyptians built great pyramids. And it was traded with Asian countries long before Europe went into the dark ages. Tea is a popular and important part of China’s culture, history, religion, as well as its popularity.
Students compete today to be admitted to the prestigious Shanghai Tea Institute. Students at the highest levels are required to play the traditional Guzheng instrument, serve tea in a professional manner, speak a foreign tongue to entertain guests overseas, and identify between approximately 1,000 types of Chinese tea. To date, less than 75 students have received a Tea Art certificate. The Tenfu Tea Museum is China’s equivalent to Disneyland. It celebrates Chinese tea-drinking traditions.
Tea History
By the beginning of the 9th century, tea had been introduced to Tibet by the Chinese. Because of Tibet’s harsh climate and rugged terrain, it was difficult to cultivate their own plants. Tea had to be imported via yak caravan from China. It took almost a year to travel by yak into Tibet. The steep terrain and high mountains of Tibet made it difficult and dangerous. Tea-seeking pirates and thieves also threatened the journey. Nearly 300 tea-laden yaks arrived in Tibet daily to meet the high demand for Tibetan tea.
Tea was so popular in Tibet, and other areas around the world that it was used to make currency. This was the most common way to pay for almost everything, and it was routinely used by workers and servants.
Traditional Tibetan Tea
Traditional Tibetan tea is prepared by boiling the leaves for around half an hour, then straining the liquid through a strainer made from horsehair (or plastic), into a long wooden container. The tea is traditionally infused with yak butter and salt, and then churned until it becomes emulsified. These ingredients replace the salt and fat lost in high-altitude Himalayan Mountain regions. Some Tibetans drink Indian Chai, which is sometimes consumed by younger generations.
A Tibetan Staple
Tea is still a staple in Tibet. Tibetans consume up to 40 cups of tea per day. Tibetan hospitality dictates that tea should be enjoyed by all guests, and that the guest’s cup must never go empty.
Japan’s Tea History
Japanese tourists to China in the early 9th century were introduced to tea traditions and values. Dengyo Daishi, a Buddhist monk, is believed to have brought Chinese tea seeds to Japan after he returned from studying abroad. Tea was an integral part Japanese monastic life. Monks used tea to stay awake during meditation sessions. Although tea was popular in Japan by the 1300s, its religious significance influenced the Japanese Tea Ceremony.
The Japanese Tea Ceremony
The “Chanoyu” sacred Japanese tea ceremony was developed in the 15th century, under the influence of Zen Buddhism and Japanese philosophies. Respecting the act and process of making and drinking tea is a central part of the ceremony. Chanoyu is a celebration of Zen Buddhism’s fundamental elements, which include purity, respect, harmony, and tranquility. Tea ceremony was so important that special tearooms were built in backyard gardens. Women had to master the tea ceremony before they could marry.
Traditional Japanese Tea
Chanoyu tea was prepared by blending water with a potent green tea called “Matcha”. The Japanese prefer Matcha’s fresh green flavors to the steeped tea methods, even though it may seem unusual to Westerners. In Japan, steeped tea was popularized again in the late 1730s. This happened when tea processors discovered that steaming leaves to stop fermentation yielded a greener and more flavorful tea that closely resembled Matcha’s fresh, powerful flavors.
Tea in Modern Day Japan
Tea is now completely infused (no pun intended) with Japanese culture. Every meal includes tea, and every guest is greeted with tea. You can find bottled tea in vending machines, and even shops selling “Green Tea”-flavored ice cream.
Due to the small land area in Japan (Japan is made up of a series mountainous islands), tea cultivation requires the creation of intricate terraces from the mountainsides. Japan’s tea industry is one of the most technologically advanced in world. The Japanese tea industry uses many sophisticated machines to produce tea, in contrast to traditional, hand-processed methods that are still common in China. The Japanese tea is more flavorful and stronger than the Chinese, due to their distinct taste preferences.
Russia’s Tea History
The Chinese gave a gift of tea to Alexis of Russia in 1618. The new beverage was a hit with everyone, and the tea gained widespread popularity. To transport tea into the country, a camel caravan trade route was established. The caravan traveled nearly 11,000 miles by camel and took almost 1 1/2 years. Nearly 6,000 camels carrying 600 pounds of tea each entered Russia every year to keep tea-hungry Russians satisfied. Trans-Siberian Railway was established in 1903. It replaced the camel caravan. The Trans-Siberian Railway cut the travel time from nearly 1 1/2 years to just over one week.
Europe’s Tea History
In 1610, the Dutch and Portuguese first brought tea to Europe. Rembrandt was only 4 years old. England’s love affair with tea didn’t begin until 1662, when King Charles II married Catherine of Braganza, a Portuguese princess. The new Queen of England had always been a fan of tea and brought along a box of Chinese tea as part of her dowry. The tea was quickly popularized by her Court friends, who were aristocratic.
Tea is a Status Symbol
Tea is an expensive luxury that only the rich can afford to consume. A pound of the most expensive tea cost an average worker about a month’s wages. Tea became highly fashionable and elite due to its high tea prices. Tea served with elegance and skill is a sign of social status. It also indicates intelligence and good breeding. Many wealthy Dutch and English families of 18th-century fame had paintings depicting their tea drinking family members.
Afternoon Tea
Anna, 7th Duchess, of Bedford was the first to introduce afternoon tea in Britain. She complained about the lack of a good light breakfast and late dinner meal. She advised her maid that she bring tea and light refreshments to her bedroom to satisfy her hunger pangs. Anna began inviting friends to her afternoon tea, and the trend quickly spread.
The “High Tea”,
High tea is very different from Afternoon Tea. Although it may sound more luxurious, high tea is actually a 19th-century working class tradition. High tea is served at 6:00 pm and includes a full meal for the average person. High tea can be served with meats, fish, eggs, bread, butter, or cake. Afternoon tea, on the other hand, is more for a woman’s social diversion.
The Role Of Tea in Globalization
The Dutch were the dominant tea trader until 1678, when the British started to import tea on a commercial basis. In pursuit of full control and profits, the British Royal Family chartered East India Company, which was granted a monopoly over all trade in Asia and Eastern Africa. The East India Company became the most powerful monopoly in the world, with tea as its main commodity. They were granted the power to purchase territory, create coin money, maintain armies and forts and punish lawbreakers.
The East India Company ruled until 1833, when the British Parliament made the trade routes competitive. However, the centuries of dominance had many lasting consequences. The British East India Company made history by claiming India, Singapore and Hong Kong as British colonies. This created a global economy based on tea.
India’s Tea History
The Opium Wars
Britain’s tea consumption increased and so did its exports. However, they couldn’t keep up with tea imports. The Chinese were more interested than ever in silver, Britain’s main export. It became increasingly difficult to find enough silver to trade in tea, so the British began to grow opium in India’s large Asian colony. In exchange for silver, the British shrewdly sent opium across the Indian border to China. The same silver was then traded back to China to make tea. This illegal opium scheme was in place until 1839, when a Chinese official sent 20,000 opium boxes to a wet grave at sea near Canton. One year later, Britain declared war against China. China responded by placing an embargo on all tea exports.
Tea Plantations India
Even before the Opium Wars, China was cautious about trading with Western countries. China believed their nation was self-sufficient and began to isolate itself. Britain explored other options, such as growing their own tea after finding it difficult to obtain Chinese tea.
It was a great place to grow tea because of its climate and high altitudes in Northern India. In 1823, Indian explorers discovered tea plants that were indigenous to Assam. Indians soon became skilled at growing beautiful tea plants but had no knowledge of tea processing. Robert Fortune, a Scottish botanist is known for spying on ancient Chinese tea processing methods and returning with knowledge, equipment and a small group of Chinese growers.
North America’s Tea History
It’s not surprising that North America was tea-drinking in its early days, when it was colonized by Europe. The same European traditions and rules of etiquette were carried across the Atlantic. Teahouses, elegant silver and porcelain tea accessories became popular in New York, Boston, Philadelphia.
The American Revolution
Tea was the most important and valuable export commodity from Britain by the end of the 18th century. To capitalize on the popularity of tea in America, the British government established a “tea tax”. Greed won and the tax rate gradually climbed to 119%. This was more than twice the original cost of tea when it first entered the American wholesale markets.
The American ports refused to permit any dutiable goods to land on American soil in defiance. The British government closed Boston harbor and ordered the arrival of British troops to America. This led to the Boston Tea Party. This was the beginning of America’s War of Independence…and America’s preference for coffee. Patriotism was born out of boycotting tea.
American Advancements in Tea Drinking
The United States still has a significant role in the evolution of the tea industry. A group of tea producers set up a tea pavilion at the St. Louis World Trade Fair in 1904. They offered hot tea to everyone who attended. In the midst of unusually hot summer heat, the man who was supervising the booth decided to pour the tea into glasses filled with ice cubes. Iced tea was the latest invention. Customers lined up to get their hands on it. The United States consumes more than 80% of the tea consumed in America every year. They drink almost 50 billion glasses of iced Tea.
Tea bags were also invented in the United States, though it was accidental. A New York tea merchant sent samples in silk bags of his product to cafes and restaurants throughout the city in 1908. To save time, he found that restaurants were brewing the tea in silk bags. This way of brewing tea quickly became popular.
Tea is still the most consumed beverage in the world, but it has been growing in popularity in the United States only recently. Tea is becoming a popular choice for many Americans, with thousands substituting coffee and soft drinks for it.
