Tea has been enjoyed for centuries and is now a staple drink all around the world. Tea is considered an important part of the culture and plays a significant role in the way people interact with each other. Today, tea is even a symbol of hospitality.
Tea has a long and varied history, spanning several centuries and cultures. It is believed that tea drinking originated in China.
Tea can be enjoyed hot or iced, with different flavors and aromas. It can be served in tea bags or loose leaf. Whether it is the traditional black tea and green tea or the newly emerging functional teas Guayusa and Yerba Mate, there is a tea for everyone to enjoy.
Fun Fact: According to UK tea and infusion association, 97.5% of tea purchased in the UK comes in tea bags.
Chinese Legend
There are different legends about the origin of tea and the most well-known is the Chinese story of a Chinese emperor and herbalist named Shen Nung established 5,000 years ago. According to Chinese legend, Shen Nung discovered tea when leaves from a tree blew into his boiling water while he was sitting underneath it. That tea tree was a Camellia sinensis, and it is what we now call tea.
Alternative Story
A different origin story suggests that tea drinking contributes to an India prince named Bodhidharma. He converted to Buddhism and went to China in the hopes of spreading Buddhist doctrines in the sixth century. He believed that it is important to remain awake at all times for mediation and prayer, so he chewed tea leaves and drank it as a crude stimulant, which help keep him awake.
Tea In England
The popularity of tea in England can be traced back to the 17th century, when Charles II married a Portuguese princess who introduced the drink to the English court. Tea quickly became a popular drink among the English, and by the 18th century it was being consumed not only by the aristocracy, but also by the working class. Tea had even replaced ale as the drink of choice among Englishmen by the mid-18th century. The English tea industry flourished in the 19th century, and England became known as “the home of tea.”
Today, tea is still a popular beverage in England, and the country is one of the world’s largest consumers of tea.
Fun Fact: Queen Elizabeth’s birthday the 21st of April is the national tea day in England. Click here to learn more about the national tea day.
How To Make A Perfect Cup Of Tea
- Brewing the perfect cup of tea is an art form. There are many ways to make a cup of tea, but there are a few key elements that will ensure your tea is delicious every time. Here are a few tips:
- Use high-quality tea leaves
- With time the leaves will lose their freshness and nutrition content when exposed to air, so keep in a cool dry place
- The flavour of the tea can be affected by the quality of the water, so consider using a water filter
- Rinse the tea leaves in cold water before brewing if desired (if there is any dust present this will help to wash it off)
- Always read the instructions on pack and allow the tea to brew for the recommended time before serving (Brewing time for Earl Grey is 3-4 minutes and Guayusa 5-10 minutes)
- Teabags should be removed after brewing
- Some teas are more delicate than others and will be damaged by boiling water. If your tea comes out overly bitter experiment with lower brewing temperatures.
Myth:
- Many make the claim that boiling the water more than once will remove the oxygen from the water resulting in a less flavourful tea. This is false. The oxygen from tea will evaporate on the first boiling. Anyway you shouldn’t boil more water than you need.
Future Of Tea
Fun Fact: Kichwa tribes that have been drinking Guayusa for 1000s of years have also been using Guayusa to clean their teeth and as a mouthwash
