Tidbits & Tales of Tea’s History
(Courtesy of Skylar Ewing)
Winter chill is making its way across the city, and now it’s the time to brew warm drinks. Let me introduce you to the history of tea through tales and tidbits: pocket-sized fascinations of the drink’s origins. Brew a cup with me, curl up with your favorite blanket, and let’s travel across time and nations…
An Isaac Newton worthy discovery
(Courtesy of Aniketh Kanukurthi)
The discovery of tea is said to follow this popular legend: Shen Nung, Emperor of China in 2737 B.C., was resting under a wild tea tree. A cup of boiling water lay forgotten near him. As he slumbered, a single leaf fluttered from the tree into his cup. The emperor awoke. Discovering the cup with its leaf, the emperor tasted the infused water (as all curious people are apt to do). Invigorated and refreshed, the emperor liked it so much, it became what we know today as “tea.”
Japan: ritual & drink
(Courtesy of the Library of Congress)
Tea reached Japan in the 8th century, but alas, conflicts between China and Japan meant the latter did not have an official tea culture until the 12th century.
It was Eisai, a monk, traveling to China on a visit in 1191, who introduced tea to his country. He brought back tea-tree seeds along with practices from the Rinzai Zen Buddhist sect. Eisai planted the tea-tree seeds (and is credited with writing the first Japanese tea book). Although rituals with tea drinking in China died out, they continued to develop in Japan, undoubtedly influenced by the religion Esai also brought back with him.
A spy named “Fortune”
(Courtesy of Rimjhim Agrawal)
China, as you may guess, was — and still is — the expert at tea production. Envious, the British sent spies to China to discover its secrets. Botanist Robert Fortune, chosen for the mission, set out in the disguise of a tea merchant. With great fortune, he accessed gardens in China, discovering the oxidation process for black tea, among more. Robert Fortune returned in 1848 with 20,000 plants under tow and 80 workers who relayed important information about tea production. India, then, stole China’s secrets, for it was around this time that their tea production took off.
In which a duchess begins a tea tradition
(Courtesy of clement proust)
The United Kingdom proudly boasts of having started the infamous afternoon tea tradition. One woman named Anna, the seventh Duchess of Bedford, experienced hunger pains between luncheon and her late evening meal. Anna requested her maid bring a pot of tea and a light refreshment in between the long hours. Her friends soon joined these little afternoon teas. Soon, the practice was adopted by all of fashionable London, with dainty sandwiches, delicate cakes, and gossip to follow.
Tea in the sea
(Courtesy of Library of Congress)
We have all heard about it: The Boston Tea Party. In 1773, colonists dressed as Mohawks dumped tea from the British East India Company into the Boston Harbor. The tea party, and its destructive nature, would end America’s thirst for the British and their tea, beginning their obsession with coffee — and, of course, starting the War of Independence.
On a tea expedition
Ready to start a tea revolution of my own, I decided to visit a tea place in downtown San Diego called “Shakespeare’s Corner Shoppe.”
Although it was a little difficult to find, that’s part of what made the shop charming, tucked away in a mysterious corner on India Street. A man named DJ gave me a tour of the shop, explaining that everything there was made in Britain — from the beans, chocolate, and specialty-blended teas, to the pastries. I bought Toblerone and a film-inspired specialty tea, as well as a pot of bubbling hot tea to sit on the balcony with. I found amusement simply writing some poetry on the open balcony, with occasional conversation by the people who owned the shop.
The shop also works in conjunction with The Britannia Tearooms on 2323 Midway Drive, a tearoom open every day except Thursdays. They will be celebrating Jane Austen’s 250th birthday with a themed tea on December 2nd & 3rd. Multiple sittings are open for reservation.
I hope these tales and tidbits gave you a warm feeling, just like tea can do. Sometimes, a multi-millennia novelty just holds eternities of stories waiting to be uncovered. Remember to save one of these tales for your next afternoon tea, and chiao for now.
Further ReadingBoston Tea Party | Facts, Summary, & Significance | Britannica"The Tea Companion: A Connoisseur’s Guide," by Jane Pettigrew"Tea: History, Terroirs, Varieties," by Kevin Gascoyne, et al