Origins of Tea
Legend has it that the Chinese Emperor Shen Nong discovered tea in 2737 BC while boiling water in the shade of a tree. A light breeze caused some leaves to fall into the water, which the emperor tasted and found to be delicious. Through the ages, further experimentation revealed the natural healthy properties and benefits of tea, from pleasant beverage to tonic herb and various topical applications.
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The Story of Tea
While the story of tea begins as far back as Ancient China, tea has travelled an incredible journey through the centuries. From China to North America, new variations, flavours, uses, production methods, equipment and tea rituals have developed and taken their place in local cultures.
Tea has played a prominent role in history and is even said to have led to the American War of Independence. As a result of the high costs of war against Native Americans and French colonists in America, the British began imposing a tea tax. British colonialists were angered and began boycotting British imports.
In 1773 the "Tea Act" was passed allowing the (British) East India Company to ship some of its surplus stock to America. More than 100,000 pounds of surplus tea were shipped across the Atlantic. In New York and Philadelphia, the ships were turned away. In Boston the ships sat in the harbour while the unrest continued to grow. On December 16th a band of men disguised as natives boarded the ships in the Boston harbour, split open the tea chests and hurled the tea into the harbour. The British closed the port and sent in troops to occupy the city. So began the American War of Independence.
Tea continues to be an adventure in taste and culture and can be enjoyed in many different places, from the comfort of your favourite chair at home to a table at your favourite restaurant.
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The Tea Plant
The tea plant (Thea Sinensis) is an evergreen plant of the Camellia genus and is also known as Camellia Sinensis. It is further divided into two main species, Camellia sinensis sinensis (native of China) and Camellia sinensis assamica (native of India's north-eastern province of Assam).
Today, tea bushes are commercially grown in approximately 45 countries around the world and thrive in countries closer to the equator with tropical climates. The best plantations can be found at altitudes of between 1,200 metres to 1,800 metres (4,000 feet to 6,000 feet) above sea level, where the plants are protected from too much direct sunlight or cool air by mists and cloud. This allows the new buds and leaves to develop and grow more slowly, which results in more flavour. Thus, the term 'high-grown' refers to teas cultivated above 1,200 metres (4,000 feet).