The story of tea indeed has deep roots, stretching far back into ancient history, well beyond its association with British culture. The origins of tea are traditionally traced to China, where, according to legend, in 2737 BC, Emperor Shen Nung discovered tea when leaves from a Camellia sinensis tree blew into boiling water prepared by his servant. Shen Nung, known for his expertise in herbs, decided to taste this accidental infusion, thus discovering tea.
While the integrity of this legend is uncertain, archaeological evidence confirms that tea was consumed in China many centuries before it reached the West. Tea containers were discovered in tombs from the Han dynasty (206 BC - 220 AD), indicating the drink's early significance. However, it was during the Tang dynasty (618-906 AD) that tea became China's national beverage. Its popularity soared to such an extent that Lu Yu, a tea enthusiast, wrote the first comprehensive book on tea, the "Ch'a Ching" or "Tea Classic," in the late eighth century.
Around this period, tea made its way to Japan, brought back by Japanese Buddhist monks who had visited China for their studies. Tea drinking became deeply ingrained in Japanese culture, culminating in the development of the Tea Ceremony, which likely originates from the rituals detailed in the "Ch'a Ching." This ceremony remains a significant cultural practice in Japan, reflecting the profound influence of tea on Japanese traditions.
At this point in the history of tea, Europe was trailing behind Asia in its discovery and consumption of the beverage. The latter half of the sixteenth century marks the earliest mentions of tea as a drink among Europeans, primarily by Portuguese traders and missionaries residing in the East. Despite some of these individuals bringing tea samples back to Portugal, the Portuguese did not initiate tea's commercial importation to Europe.
The Dutch were the pioneers in this regard. In the closing years of the sixteenth century, the Dutch began to challenge Portuguese trading routes in the East. By the end of the century, they had established a trading post on the island of Java. In 1606, the first shipment of tea was transported from China to Holland via Java.
Tea quickly gained popularity among the Dutch and soon spread to Western European countries. However, due to its high cost, tea was initially a luxury item accessible only to the wealthy. This exclusivity further enhanced its status as a fashionable and desirable drink among Europe's elite.
Traditionally wary of continental trends, Britain had yet to adopt tea drinking to the extent seen today. The British East India Company, holding a monopoly on importing goods from outside Europe since 1600, likely facilitated the introduction of tea to Britain, with sailors bringing it home as gifts. However, the earliest recorded reference to tea in Britain is found in a London newspaper, Mercurius Politicus, from September 1658. The advertisement announced the sale of "China Drink, called by the Chinese, Tcha, by other Nations Tay alias Tee" at a coffee house in Sweeting's Rents, indicating that tea was still relatively unknown and considered a novelty.
The turning point for tea in Britain came with the marriage of Charles II to Catherine of Braganza, a Portuguese princess and avid tea drinker. Catherine's enthusiasm for tea made it a fashionable beverage at the royal court and among the wealthy. Recognizing the growing popularity, the East India Company began importing tea into Britain, with its first order placed in 1664 for 100 pounds of Chinese tea to be shipped from Java.
This royal endorsement significantly boosted tea's status, gradually transforming it from a curiosity into a staple of British culture.
The end of the East India Company's monopoly on trade with China in 1834 was another significant turning point for tea drinking in Britain. Before this, China was Britain's primary source of tea. The dissolution of the monopoly prompted the East India Company to explore tea cultivation in India, their central hub of operations, which also played a leading role in the region's governance. This led to the expansion of tea cultivation in India, beginning with Assam.
The initial attempts faced challenges, including the destruction of early tea nurseries by cattle. However, by 1839, Assam had developed a sufficient quantity of tea of 'marketable quality,' leading to the first auction of Assam tea in Britain. When the British government took over direct control of India from the East India Company in 1858, it continued to promote the tea industry. Cultivation spread beyond Assam, and by 1888, British tea imports from India surpassed those from China for the first time.
Sri Lanka (then called Ceylon) also played a crucial role in the history of tea. In the mid-19th century, the island's coffee plantations were devastated by a disease known as coffee rust. Planters turned to tea as an alternative, and by the 1880s, Ceylon tea had become a significant export. The island's climate and terrain proved ideal for tea cultivation, leading to a boom in production. By the early 20th century, Ceylon was globally recognized for its high-quality tea, which contributed significantly to the British market.
The end of the monopoly also ushered in the era of the tea clippers. With the monopoly gone, the tea trade became highly competitive. Merchants and sea captains raced to bring tea from China to Britain as quickly as possible, using new clippers with sleek lines, tall masts, and large sails. The competition between British and American merchants led to the famous clipper races of the 1860s. These races started in China, traversing the China Sea and Indian Ocean, around the Cape of Good Hope, up the Atlantic, past the Azores, and into the English Channel. The race ended when the clippers, towed up the River Thames, delivered their cargo at the docks. The opening of the Suez Canal eventually ended these races by making the trade routes to China viable for steamships.
In 1851, with nearly all tea in Britain coming from China, annual consumption per head was less than 2 pounds. By 1901, driven by cheaper imports from India and Sri Lanka, consumption soared to over 6 pounds per head. Tea had firmly established itself as a staple of British life. This importance was officially recognized during the First World War when the government took over the importation of tea to ensure it remained affordable and available. The government again took control during the Second World War, and tea was rationed from 1940 until 1952. That same year, the London Tea Auction, a central hub of the global tea industry since 1706, was re-established. However, improved global communications and the rise of auctions in tea-producing nations led to its decline, with the final London Tea Auction held on 29 June 1998.
Tea4usa imports tea lovingly produced by Anverally & Sons, one of the original tea-growing families in Sri Lanka. We are proud to be associated with this lengthy heritage, and the Tea4u Earl Grey and English Breakfast blends reflect this long-lasting heritage. If you haven't already tried them, I encourage you to do so.
Happy brewing,
Jane