US $5.99
History in a Tea Cup
Did you know that your favorite afternoon pick-me-up or breakfast “cuppa” has a history that dates back thousands of years? According to legend, the Chinese Emperor Shen Nung “discovered” tea way back in 2737 BC when some tea leaves were blown by the wind into his pot of boiling water. Now, whether Emperor Shen was actually boiling water under that tea tree or not, the fact remains that tea has been a part of Chinese medical and dietary tradition for at least 1700 years. It is first mentioned in a manuscript dating to 340 CE. Sometime around 400, folks started adding other ingredients to their tea. Some popular additions were orange, ginger, spices and even onion and garlic.
In 479, Turkish traders discovered tea during trading along the Mongolian border. A little over a hundred years later, Buddhists monks returning to Japan in 593 carried seeds and leaves home with them, introducing the Japanese to the “Elixir of Immortality.” Japan, however, doesn’t begin to cultivate its own tea until nearly half a century later. Even then, it is rare, expensive and strictly for the aristocracy and high priests.
Between 960 and 1280, tea drinking becomes popular, first in China and then in Japan. Tea begins to lose its earlier, exotic flavorings. Tea becomes so important to Emperor Hui Tsung that he holds tea-making competitions and tea-tasting events. Supposedly, he becomes so obsessed with tea, he doesn’t notice when the Chins take over in 1125. Another invasion, this one by the Mongols, ended tea’s reign as the drink of the aristocracy. Tea drinking becomes commonplace among even the poorest peasants. Tea sets begin to be made of ordinary pottery and tea drinking rituals and porcelain sets are left to the rich and noble, as tea became a part of everyday life. In fact, the Mongols weren’t big on tea and tea drinking among the upper classes dies out, leaving the drink’s fate to the masses. In 1386, however, the Mongols fall out of power and tea again gains prominence in Chinese courts.
During the 1400’s Japanese Zen Buddhist priests refine the tea ceremony into its modern day from and tea takes on an elegant, almost religious atmosphere, becoming an art form of its own.
The 17th, 18th and 19th centuries are perhaps the most important time in tea’s history, as it becomes a player in both world societies and world politics. It isn’t until 1589 that Europeans even learn of tea, through the writings of a Venetian author. In 1610, The Dutch East India Company begins exporting tea from China to Europe. They market it as an exotic medicinal drink. Tea, however, is so expensive that, as in early China and Japan, only the wealthiest of the aristocracy can afford to buy tea and its serving pieces. By 1635, tea drinking has managed to catch on in the Dutch court, and during the mid 17th century, wealthy Dutch merchants’ wives are hosting tea parties. Tea becomes so popular across all the social classes that many fear it will be the ruin of family life. Ministers fearfully call for a ban on the stuff.
Tea makes its first appearance in the New World in 1650 when it is introduced through the Dutch colony of New Amsterdam. It arrives in England in 1657, where it is touted and sold as a health drink. By 1662, when the King takes a tea drinking Dutch bride, tea becomes so popular among the English that alcohol consumption actually sees a decline. Sometime in the 1680’s, Scotland is introduced to the delights of tea and by 1690 tea is being sold in the English American colonies. By the early 1700’s, controversies brew in Scotland and England over whether tea is overpriced, overtaxed, overly dangerous to one’s health and whether or not tea drinking will lead to society’s moral decay. Tea begins taking over Britain’s coffee houses, replacing coffee as the favored drink. The first tea shop is opened by Thomas Twining in London in 1717. Scandalously, both men and women frequent the tea shop. After the French and Indian War, Parliament decides to tax the British American colonies to help pay off debts accrued during the war. All of these taxes, except the tax on tea, are rescinded in 1770. Colonists decide to boycott tea purchases and in 1773 and 1774, “tea parties,” the most famous of which is held in Boston, are held throughout the colonies. Colonists in Philadelphia, New York, Maryland and Maine dump tons of tea into harbors. Parliament responds with the Coercive Acts, and the closing of Boston Harbor. They plan to reopen the harbor when the English East India Company is reimbursed for the lost tea. The colonists refuse and continue protesting. These protests eventually evolve into the American Revolution.
Meanwhile, back in Britain, tea consumption continued to rise. By 1785, 11 million pounds of tea were being imported. Tea drinking reaches 2 pounds per person in 1797. By 1807, the consumption rate would be 10 pounds per person. This is in part due to the fact that Parliament once again reduced import taxes on tea. Afternoon tea is “invented” by the Duchess of Bedford in 1840. Harrod’s Department store in London begins as a tea wholesaler in 1849. Tea and the British Empire become synonymous. The 1880’s, however, saw America become the world’s largest importer of tea.
The twentieth century saw the introduction of several tea innovations. Iced tea made its first appearance at the 1904 World’s Fair. Tea bags were inadvertently invented in 1908 when Thomas Sullivan, a New York tea importer, shipped tea to customers in silk packages. The customers steeped the entire package and praised him because his tea needed no straining. Today, Americans consume around 140 million cups of tea each day, with an estimated 80% of that as iced tea. Yet, surprisingly, it is still virtually the same brew as that of old Emperor Shen, way back when.
Zhi Tea is a leading provider of high-quality organic tea online. Visit them today for a full selection of high-grade, fair trade organic Green, Black, White and Oolong teas. Also view their tea gift basket selection – a great gift for the holidays.
Bamboo Japanese Tea Cup - Zen Buddhist Daruma Yunomi
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Set of 4 Very Fine Vintage Japanese Bright Green Hand Made Pottery Teacups $9.99 |
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Pair of Japanese Tea Cup YUNOMI Classic Style, Very Beautiful! $9.50 |
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Yunomi Japanese Tea Bowl Cup Black Boldly Thrown & Altered Stoneware Pottery Sig $22.50 |
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PRE War Japanese Hand Painted Geishas Teacup/Saucer $25.00 |
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Japanese Pottery Hagi TEA-cup $11.00 |
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Japanese Pottery Hagi TEA-cup Hagi Violet $11.00 |
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Vintage TEA BOWLS Japanese & Studio, ART POTTERY, Fine GLAZES Some SIGNED, 1 Cup $10.50 |
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vintage japanese floral tea cups marked in japanese 2 $14.99 |
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Mitsuko Ikeno California Japanese New Pottery 2010 Cup Mug Coffee Tea Asian WOW $0.99 |
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Japanese HAGI ware Pair Tea Cup pottery cool Made in JAPAN new gift modern $79.99 |
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Japanese tea cup Yunomi 078 Sushi kanji bowl Japon tasse $5.99 |
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Japanese tea cup Yunomi 026 Sushi fish ware bowl tasse $5.99 |
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Japanese tea cup Yunomi #366 Sake ware bowl Japon tasse $5.99 |
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Japanese tea cup Yunomi #361 Sake ware bowl Japon tasse $5.99 |
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Japanese tea cup Yunomi #351 Sake ware bowl Japon tasse $5.99 |
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Japanese tea cup Yunomi #364 Sake ware bowl Japon tasse $5.99 |
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Japanese tea cup Yunomi #348 Sake ware bowl Japon tasse $5.99 |
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Mitsuko Ikeno California Japanese New Pottery 2010 Folk Art Serving Bowl Cup Tea $16.00 |
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VINTAGE ASIAN JAPANESE or CHINESE TEA CUP SAUCER TEACUP FLORAL BIRD HANDPAINTED $15.95 |
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DRAGONWARE~1940's MORIAGE DESIGN JAPANESE TEA CUP AND SAUCER $19.45 |
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Two handpainted Japanese art pottery sake--tea cups not made for export $15.00 |
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TWO BEAUTIFUL PRE War Japanese Hand Painted Geishas Teacup/Saucer $10.00 |
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Mitsuko Ikeno California Japanese New Pottery 2010 Folk Art Serving Bowl Cup Tea $22.50 |
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SIGNED mini CHAWAN Tea Cup RARE Sample & LABEL Japanese STUNNING Crackle GLAZE $220.00 |
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Japanese tea cup Yunomi #374 Hikone Castle SAKE ware bowl Japon tasse $5.99 |
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Japanese tea cup Yunomi #343 Sake ware bowl Japon tasse $5.99 |
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Japanese tea cup Yunomi #376 Sake ware bowl Japon tasse $5.99 |
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Japanese tea cup Yunomi #009 Kutani SAKE ware bowl Japon tasse $5.99 |
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Japanese tea cup Yunomi #346 Sake ware bowl Japon tasse $5.99 |
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Japanese tea cup Yunomi #373 SAKE ware bowl Japon tasse $5.99 |
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Japanese tea cup Yunomi #371 SAKE ware bowl Japon tasse $5.99 |
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Japanese tea cup Yunomi Chawan ware bowl Japon tasse $9.99 |
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Japanese tea cup Yunomi #372 Kutani SAKE ware bowl Japon tasse $5.99 |
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Japanese tea cup Yunomi #305 Kutani Sake ware bowl Japon tasse $5.99 |
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Japanese tea cup Yunomi #347 Sake ware bowl Japon tasse $5.99 |
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BEACHBALL SUSHI vtg Japanese porcelain tea coffee cup saucer cake plate wasabi $65.00 |
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Pair of Vintage NICO Japanese Dragon Miniature Child's Tea Cup & Saucer Japan $19.95 |
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VINTAGE LUSTERWARE HAND PAINTED JAPAN JAPANESE TEA PLATE SAUCER & CUP $12.95 |
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Japanese Pottery Hand Painted Beautiful...Sake ? Tea cup? Vase?Free USA Shipping $15.99 |
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Antique Porcelain Tea Cup and Saucer Red Flowers and Gold Trim ca.1900s Japanese $75.00 |
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Beautiful Japanese mug with Kanji writtings ORIGINAL tea cup 200 ml $10.00 |
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Japanese tea cups Yunomi Kabuki (Syaraku) and Geisya NEW Japan Pottary Pair $2.99 |
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Japanese tea cup Yunomi #215 Sake bowl Japon tasse $7.99 |
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Japanese tea cups Yunomi P08 Kabuki Geisha Japon tasse $11.98 |
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Japanese tea cup Yunomi #300 SAKE ware bowl Japon tasse $5.99 |
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Japanese tea cup Yunomi Chawan 205 bowl Japon tasse $6.99 |
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Japanese teacup Yunomi 221 Chawan ware bowl Japon tasse $25.99 |
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Japanese tea cup Yunomi #118 Sake ware bowl Japon tasse $5.99 |
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Japanese tea cup Yunomi #108 Sumo ware bowl Japon tasse $5.99 |
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Japanese tea cup Yunomi #326 Kutani bowl Japon tasse $5.99 |
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Japanese tea cup Yunomi 116 Kutani bowl Japon tasse $5.99 |
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Japanese tea cup Yunomi #105 SAKE ware bowl Japon tasse $5.99 |
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c1865 early Meiji Period Japanese Eiraku teacup and saucer signed TA $75.00 |
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Japanese tea cup Yunomi #212 Sake bowl Japon tasse $7.99 |
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Japanese tea cup Yunomi #211 Sake bowl Japon tasse $7.99 |
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Japanese tea cup Yunomi #134B Kutani bowl Japon tasse $5.99 |
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Japanese tea cup Yunomi #369 Sake ware bowl Japon tasse $5.99 |
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Japanese tea cup Yunomi #099 Sake ware bowl Japon tasse $5.99 |
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Japanese tea cup Yunomi #317 Sake ware bowl Japon tasse $5.99 |
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Japanese tea cup Yunomi #365 Sake ware bowl Japon tasse $5.99 |
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Japanese tea cup Yunomi #309 Kutani bowl Japon tasse $5.99 |
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Japanese tea cup Yunomi #363 Sake ware bowl Japon tasse $5.99 |
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Japanese tea cup Yunomi #352 Sake ware bowl Japon tasse $5.99 |
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Japanese tea cup Yunomi #338 Sake ware bowl Japon tasse $5.99 |
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Japanese tea cup Yunomi #044 Kutani bowl Japon tasse $5.99 |
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Japanese tea cup Yunomi #072 Sake ware bowl Japon tasse $5.99 |
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Japanese tea cup Yunomi #022 Kutani bowl Japon tasse $5.99 |
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Japanese tea cup Yunomi #337 Sake ware bowl Japon tasse $5.99 |
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Japanese tea cup Yunomi #306 Kutani bowl Japon tasse $5.99 |
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Japanese tea cup Yunomi #060 Ware bowl SAKE Japon tasse $5.99 |
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Thermos Nissan FBB1000 34-Ounce Stainless-Steel Vacuum Insulated Briefcase Bottle $21.50 THERMAX DOUBLE WALL VACUUM INSULATION LOCKS IN TEMPERATURE TO PRESERVE FLAVOR & FRESHNESSUNBREAKABLE 18/8 STAINLESS STEEL INTERIOR & EXTERIOR WITHSTAND THE DEMANDS OF EVERYDAY USECONVENIENT TWIST & POUR STOPPER MAKES SERVING SIMPLEBUILT-IN STAINLESS STEEL CUPLIGHT & COMPACT DESIGN FOR EFFORTLESS TRANSPORT & STORAGESTAYS COOL TO THE TOUCH WITH HOT LIQUIDS & IS CONDENSATION-FREE WITH COLDUPC : 04120... |
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Hario MSS-1B Mini Mill Slim Coffee Grinder $27.99 Enjoy the taste of freshly ground coffee at home any time! Ceramic mortar has no odor, does not rust. The coarse powder is adjustable simply by turning the knob; also, you can calibrate the amount of ground through the transparent bottle. When not in use, you can store the grinder without the handle. Secure design makes for easier grinding. Easy to clean with disassembled parts, Slim design saves... |
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Thermos Nissan 12-Ounce Stainless-Steel Tea Tumbler with Infuser $15.50 Virtually unbreakable, this lightweight, vacuum-insulated thermos travels to work or your favorite recreation spot. On arrival, and for hours afterward, coffee, tea, or soup will still be hot. Or lemonade, pasta salad, or a sports drink will still be chilled. Compact (7 inches high) and shapely, this thermos has a "waist" for firm gripping indented in its satin-finish exterior and tough, nonslip, ... |
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Cast Iron Teapot Ready to Make a Warm Cup of Green Tea - 60W x 40H - Peel and Stick Wall Decal by Wallmonkeys $87.99 WallMonkeys wall graphics are printed on the highest quality re-positionable, self-adhesive fabric paper. Each order is printed in-house and on-demand. WallMonkeys uses premium materials & state-of-the-art production technologies. Our white fabric material is superior to vinyl decals. You can literally see and feel the difference. Our wall graphics apply in minutes and won't damage your paint or l... |
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Cup of Tea - 24W x 18H - Peel and Stick Wall Decal by Wallmonkeys $33.99 WallMonkeys wall graphics are printed on the highest quality re-positionable, self-adhesive fabric paper. Each order is printed in-house and on-demand. WallMonkeys uses premium materials & state-of-the-art production technologies. Our white fabric material is superior to vinyl decals. You can literally see and feel the difference. Our wall graphics apply in minutes and won't damage your paint or l... |
