History of Tea

The origin of tea is lost between history and legend. It is confirmed that tea originated in the southwest of China, in the Yunnan province, where trees over 2,000 years old still exist. It is said that the first person to discover the effects of tea was Shen Nung, the father of agriculture and herbal medicine in China. One day, after walking for a long time, Shen Nung felt tired and thirsty, so he rested under a tree and started a fire to boil water in a pot. Suddenly, some leaves fell into the pot from a nearby tree. He drank the infusion and found that it was not only sweet and delicious but also refreshing. Tea is a simple beverage, and it has long been at the center of the lives of millions of people, initially in the East and now almost worldwide. It is said to help with meditation and self-reflection and to induce tranquility, even to inspire imagination. China, the homeland of tea, is the leading producer and consumer. Tea has a history of over 5,000 years where it has motivated wars and is a heritage of spiritual seekers, poets, artists, bohemians, and emperors. The tradition of drinking tea began to gain popularity during the Tang dynasty (618-907) and during the Song dynasty (960-1279) entered the realm of poetry as a form of elegant distraction. There is a subtle charm in the flavor of tea that makes it irresistible and susceptible to idealization. -Okakura Kakuzo. The Evolution Buddhism and Taoism played an indispensable role in the spread of tea culture. Buddhists liked tea because it prevented fatigue and lack of energy, while Taoists believed that tea helped people stay young and become immortal. At the same time, people began to make and store tea in bricks and cake forms. It is often said that tea began in the Tang dynasty and flourished during the Song dynasty. Before the Tang dynasty, tea was known by many names, one of which meant bitter. The character was changed to: 茶 This Chinese character has many interesting connotations. Its lower part: the wood, its main means of grass, and the part in between means people. This suggests harmony between people and nature. The trade of tea among all nations spread to all parts of the world. Japanese monks took tea seeds, tea brewing techniques, and tea utensils to Japan, leading to the invention of Cha No Yu, the Japanese tea ceremony. In the late 16th century, the Dutch brought word to Europe that there was a kind of magical leaf in the East, from which delicious beverages could be made. In 1610, the East India Company began selling tea in Europe for the first time. In 1936, tea entered France, and two years later it entered Russia, while Great Britain, a nation known for its tea consumption, did not have tea until 1650. If you are interested in learning more about tea, at the tea academy you can find more information.