The Journey of Tea From China to Africa

About 2700 B.C, there was a emperor named Shen Nung in CHINA. He loved plants and flowers. He had the most complete and beautiful garden in the whole country.

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 was blowing through the garden. The leaves were flying everywhere.

However, there was 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.So the discover of tea was marked in China about 3000 years ago.

CHINA:THE BIRTH OF TEA DRINK.

Although the tea drink is discovered, it's still uncommon to the Chinese for a long time. By 780 A.D., Lu Yu wrote the Cha'Ching or "The book of tea". This book turned the history of tea to new direction.

Lu Yu was a follower of Zen Buddhism. Lu Yu wrote this book based on his memories and observations of tea plantation and processing. Amazing memory. Until the Sung dynasty in 1100 AD, this wonderful drink began to become popular in the elite society. Some of tea's popularity is due to the discoveries of its health benefits.

As the Chinese elites enjoyed this excellent drink, they increased the growing of tea plant (or Camellia Sinensis). The production of tea skyrocketed. This wonderful drink began to reach every households in China.

By the Ming dynasty (~ 1300 AD), China began to export this newly discovered drink to neighboring countries. The history of tea turned to the world outside of China. Tea became an important commodity and had high exchange value in China. Tea trading gained popularity and yielded very high profit.

JAPAN: ALL THANKS TO A MONK

The history of tea is filled with myth and fantasies. No one knows how much of its is true. But the myths add new excitement into the origin of tea. There is a myth that stated: a Indian Buddhist monk named Bodhidharma that lived around 6 A.D. He used to meditate for months at one time.

Something unexpected happened. Bodhidharma fell asleep during one of his meditation. Feeling rather angry and disappointed, he cut off his eye lids and threw them on the side of the road. He vowed to never sleep again.

Bodhidharma came back to this road and saw something amazing. There was a tiny plant with tiny leaves grew on the place where his eye lids were. He picked up the small leave and chewed. Surprisingly, he was able to meditate for hours and hours without falling asleep.

About 1200 AD, the founder of Zen Buddhism, Eisai, was passionate about the health benefits of tea. Eisai wrote a famous book "Tea drinking is good for health". Eisai claimed that tea cured diseases such as loss of appetite and B-deficiency

Tea has spread its charms to Japan. In Japan, this wonderful and natural drink is a way of life. Japanese tea ceremony reflects purity and serenity.

The famous Japanese tea ceremony is Chanoyu--tea in hot water. This ceremony was Murata Shuko-- father of tea ceremony. The special tea that is served in Japanese tea ceremony is Matcha. Matcha is green powered tea.

EAST AND MIDDLE ASIA: TEA HISTORY AND SPICE TRADE

Trading between Asian countries such as India, Sri Lanka, and China a long time ago. They mostly traded spices like herbs, sugar, salt...

Once China began to export tea, this commodity gradually reached Middle and East Asia through spice- trading route. 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.

RUSSIA: LARGEST IMPORTER OF TEA

Through many trading routes, this natural drink is introduced to Russian. Gradually, this wonderful drink was so popular. The government began to import tea in large quantities. Initially, Russia imported this red and green tea from China. Now, it mostly imported from India and Sri Lanka.

BRITISH: THE ROYAL FAMILY, HERE TEA COMES

When Dutch established a trading route to China via Africa. Tea then were introduced to Europe. Tea was mostly transported by the Dutch East India Company to Europe. Tea was introduced to British elites in 15th century. They prefer Black tea (Chinese called it Red tea). Black tea is processed in a way that it's fully oxidized. Black tea gives a strong and bold taste.

The British people's tongue were not so sensitive on bitterness. This seems to be the reason they prefer Black tea. The tea was for the elites, then the common people. Tea became a social drink in England. Ale lost its place as the most popular drink to Tea.

The first tea house was opened. The first tea house is Tom's tea house. The owner was Thomas Twinning. Thomas Twinning tea company still successful today. Britain people also loves High tea. It's an ordinary tea for working class.

AMERICA: OPEN DOOR WELCOMING THE NEW DRINK

When America was still a colony under the control of England. Tea drink was introduced to Americans. At one time, when tea was scarce and the price was high. England increased the tax for tea. Americans loved tea, but angry with the high tax. The famous BOSTON tea party took place.

Another form of tea drink that made this wonderful drink even more popular. Ice tea. It was invented in summer 1904, by Richard Blechynden. It was hot and Richard's tea house did not have any customer. He added ice to make his hot tea cool.

Then came the idea of tea bag, created by Thomas Sulliva. He had a tea business in New York. He tried to promote his tea.
Thomas crushed the whole leaf into tiny bits. Put into a tiny bag. Distribute them around like taste sample.

However, whole tea leaves have higher quality. It preserves the taste and all of the essence of tea. Crushed tea leaves have lower quality. But it's still great for a taste sample.

AFRICA: TEA OR NOT TEA?

The history of tea lead us to Africa. Specially, Kenya and South Africa. The British brought tea to Africa after the World War II.However, Africa has its own "tea plant". It's called Rooisbos (or Red diamond or Red bush).This is not exactly tea, but infused like tea.

Rooisbos is harvested in the summer. Real tea leaves are harvested in the Spring.
Well! this is not exactly about "authentic" tea. But tea did visit Africa and spread its
You see now that tea travels all over the world. Now it's the 2nd most consumed drink in the world, only after water.