Interesting Information About Tea

People who make a study of myths believe there may be some truth to the myth about the discovery of tea. It is said that Emperor Shen Nung was responsible for the discovery. He’d ordered that all water be boiled before consumption in order to prevent diseases. One day, when he and his court were traveling, they stopped to rest.

Water was brought to a boil so that the court might drink, and a few leaves fell into the water. Shen Nung was a forward thinking person and decided to try it. He found it very refreshing and soon tea consumption began. Several thousand years later, about A.D. 800, another Chinese man wrote the first book about tea. Lu Yu’s book, the Ch’a Ching spoke about tea cultivation and preparation, making him a legend even in his own life time.

It traveled to Japan via a Buddhist Monk named Yeisei, and quickly caught on. Here art and ceremony was developed involving the beverage, most particularly the Japanese Tea Ceremony. This beautiful way of serving tea is still taught and practiced in Japan.

Caravan leaders began talking about tea and eventually a Portuguese Jesuit, Father Jasper de Cruz, actually got to try it. Portugal developed a trading route to bring the beverage to that country. Dutch ships would then transport the cargo to other countries in Europe.

The leaves commanded a high price at that time, $100 for every pound. This meant it stayed pretty much with the wealthy and the aristocracy. Eventually, however, supply increased and more people could afford it. Due to the Dutch influence, the beverage hit North American shores before it even reached England.

England relished the fragrant liquid, and it soon became a mark of society. The Duchess of Bedford started the tradition of afternoon tea. She invited a few friends for light snacks and hot tea, served in delicate china cups. The idea caught on, and still continues.

As its fame spread, colonists developed an enjoyment of it. By the time of the Boston Tea Party, it shared the limelight with coffee. Then, Britain raised the taxes (which were already sky high) and that famous tea party put paid to drinking it for decades. You weren’t patriotic if you drank it…coffee prevailed.

Over time, that changed and it was again an accepted and acceptable beverage. Then, famous hotels began offering tea services, in special rooms and courts. These were designed to allow ladies and gentlemen a chance to talk in an inviting atmosphere. When the dance crazes if the early 1900s started sweeping the country, afternoon dances were offered.

The elders did not approve of such frivolity. In fact, one employer fired many young women just for attending them. It didn’t stop the events, young women working in the city far from home needed a safe place to interact socially and these fit the bill.

There is a connection between tea drinking and preparations made by herbalists. Because they are brewed in a very similar fashion, people use the word “tea” to mean any beverage prepared by infusion. It’s gone on for so long, the appellation is likely here for good.

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