Tea History: A Journey Through Space and Time

Do you know that the tea history is filled with exciting myths as well as documented facts? Let's walk with me and find out the history about tea.

Was tea a drink from heaven?

A myth said that Shen Nung was sent from heaven to rule the earth. Shen Nung loved plants and flowers and had the most complete garden in the world.
Every afternoon, Emperor Shen Nung would sit in his garden and enjoy his drink. One day, while his water was boiling on the table, a wind blew through the garden.

The leaves were flying everywhere. One tiny green leaf flew right into the emperor's boiling water. The leaves made the water turn green. Curious to what kind of taste it would give, Shen Nung took a sip. The sweetness and bitterness of the green drink refreshed him. Shen Nung noticed 2 effects from drinking tea: " It quenches the thrust AND lessens the desire for sleep".
So was tea a drink from heaven? Maybe...

Who is Daruma and why is he important?

Legend says that there was an Indian monk named Bodhidharma, often known as Daruma. In about 520 A.D, Daruma took a trip from India to China.
By the time Daruma reached Canton, he was offered a place to stay. As a Buddhist, meditation was very important to Daruma. During his stay in the temple, Daruma meditated for seven years.

However, in a weak moment, Daruma fell asleep. When he woke up, Daruma was very angry and disappointed. He cut off his eyelids and threw them on the grass. He vowed to never sleep again. From the place where his eyelids landed, a small plant with tiny green leaves grew. When people put the leaves into hot water, the drink would help them stay awake for a long time. Daruma died in 530 A.D. The monks of Zen Buddhism spread the legend that Daruma didn't die. He was seen walking on the river, trying to get home to India.
To Japanese, the legend of Daruma is an important part in their tea history.

Tea history: Did tea mean more than just a drink to Chinese?

In China, tea became more than just a drink. It is a symbol of spirituality. Tea and the art of enjoying tea are important parts of major religions such as Buddhism and Taoism. In Taoism, tea is called a liquid jade and is viewed as a symbol of mortality. In Buddhism, monkeys were trained to pick tealeaves from the mountains' cliffs. Those leaves are CONSIDERED rare and high quality. Tea gradually became an adjective to describe the emotional and spiritual state of a person. Insensitivity and indifference reflect that a person doesn't have any tea. While extreme sensitivity and emotions indicate that person has too much tea.

Tea history: What are the controversies between myths and facts?

When writing was invented, more documented facts about tea were available. Some support, others contradict the legends. The reason for this is that each new ruler or emperor kept changing the historical documents so the people would support his regime and government. Easy to understand! In a war, the winners always created their own version of history to gain support from later generations. Looking at it this way, historical facts are actually myths and legends in disguise. Myth or document, it makes the tea history richer and more vivid.

How did people in other culture drink tea?

Some Koreans eat chicken eggs while drinking tea. The Burmese put tealeaves into hollow bamboos and buried under the ground for a few months. These buried tealeaves would make delicious foods when combining with other dishes.

Tea history: How did tea was first exported?

Once China began to export tea, tea gradually reached East and Middle Asian countries such as India and Sri Lanka. Tea often was traded along with spices such as herbs, sugar, and salt through spice-trading routes. By 18th century, people in Sri Lanka and Iran started to enjoy this wonderful drink. Overtime, they grew their own tea plants and also export their products. This natural drink is THEN introduced to Russian. The Russian government began to import tea in large quantities - initially from China, now from India and Sri Lanka.

How did tea go from China to Russia?

In the tea history, Tea was transported from China to Russia via the famous trading route called the Caravan trade route. Although Russians have known tea since 1567, tea didn't reach Russia until 1618. When the supply of tea increased, the price of tea went down. Common Russians were able to enjoy tea -or samovar. Samovar is the combination of heating water in a pipe and heating the teapot.

Did tea ever travel to Africa?

In the tea history, the British brought tea to Kenya and South Africa after the World War II. However, Africa has its own "tea plant". It's called Rooisboos sometimes known as Red diamond or Red bush). This is not exactly tea, but infused like tea. It's often known more as an herbal tea. Rooisbos leaves are harvested in the summer. Real tealeaves are harvested in the spring.