ORIGIN OF TEA
The story of tea begins in ancient China. According to legend, in 2737 BC, Emperor Shen Nong discovered tea when leaves from a wild tree blew into his pot of boiling water. Intrigued by the pleasant aroma, he tasted the brew and found it refreshing. This serendipitous event marked the beginning of tea as a beverage.
Initially, tea was consumed for its medicinal properties. The Chinese believed it had the power to detoxify the body and improve health. By the Tang Dynasty (618-907 AD), tea had become a popular drink in Chinese society, leading to the establishment of tea culture, which included specific brewing techniques and ceremonial practices.Tea made its way to Japan in the early 9th century,Buddhist monks from Japan visited China and found about tea. These monks brought back tea seeds and the tradition of tea drinking. The Japanese embraced tea, integrating it into their culture and rituals.
TEA IN THE MIDDLE EAST AND INDIA
Tea reached the Middle East and India through trade routes established by merchants and explorers. In India, tea plants were discovered growing wild in the northeastern region of Assam in the early 19th century. The British East India Company saw an opportunity and began cultivating tea on a large scale to break China’s monopoly on tea.
By the mid-19th century, India became a major tea producer, with Assam and Darjeeling teas gaining international fame. The introduction of the tea plantation system transformed the Indian economy and played a crucial role in popularizing tea in the British Empire and beyond.
THE ARRIVAL OF TEA IN EUROPE
Tea first arrived in Europe in the 16th century through Portuguese and Dutch traders. It quickly gained popularity, particularly in Britain. Initially, tea was a luxury item, consumed primarily by the wealthy. However, by the 18th century, tea had become a common household beverage.
The British East India Company played a pivotal role in the widespread adoption of tea in Britain. They imported vast quantities of tea from China and later from India. The British developed their own tea-drinking traditions, such as afternoon tea, which became a social institution.
