History of Tea
Tea has a rich and wonderful history and it is a must that you explore it!
Tea, the world’s second most consumed beverage after water, has a complex history, deeply rooted in Chinese culture. There are numerous legends and tales about its origins, centered around the first cup of tea that was ever brewed.
The history of tea is an epic saga, a journey through time and an odyssey across continents. Nations have defined themselves by the tea trade and culturally by their tea ceremonies. Yes, tea is that powerful. Its longevity rivals almost all other customs and trades; its place in people’s hearts, not only in England and the British Isles, but throughout the world. Its importance to the world cannot be overstated.
It is fascinating to think that our comforting morning cup has such a rich and international history. It was sipped in Ancient China as long ago as 2737 BC, and continues to be a bedrock, a staple member of households everywhere – from Buckingham Palace to the streets of India, and your kitchen table.
Ancient China: The Birthplace of Tea
With a history dating back more than 5000 years, it was inevitable that many myths and legends about the origins of tea steeped into storytelling. The most ancient legend tells us that Shen Nung, emperor, scholar, herbalist, recognised this new drink when one day leaves from an overhanging tree drifted loose and fell into his boiling water. He was immediately interested in the pleasant scent of the resulting brew, and drank some. From this wonderful chance happening, tea grew to become popular with the Chinese as both a digestive aid, and later, during the Han Dynasty (206-220 AD), became a formal ceremony.
As tea’s popularity grew, so of course, did its production methods and tea serving “equipment”, from pots to lacquered trays and porcelain cups. By the end of the third century, tea had become China’s national drink and by first millennium, the Chinese Tea house had become a focal point of Chinese social life – where families and friends would gather to chat business, play cards or chess and be entertained by jugglers, poets and actors