Tea
“I hate tea.”
Tilly
If you live on that North Atlantic island called Great Britain, please check Tilly’s passport to see if she really is British.
Tilly: I like green tea and herbal teas, just not black tea with milk. Yuck. If someone makes me a cup of Indian tea, I will drink it rather than be rude. But some hosts are too generous and force more cups of the stuff till one’s teeth float out. Rather fond of freshly grated ginger tea, with lemon juice.
Now on with Tea.
If historians can finally agree, it is on the history of this now world-famous drink. Set your calendar back to 2737 B.C.E. in China, when Emperor Shen Nong, ruler and scientist, accidentally discovered tea. Rumor has it he was boiling water in his garden when a leaf from an overhanging wild tea tree floated into his pot of boiling water. (Tilly: it was a Camellia sinensis.)
Tilly, why did he decide to try this infusion, which he seems to enjoy?
Tilly: Olive, you know very well that men do things like that because the opportunity is there … whether it is to climb a mountain, travel in submarines, eat fried scorpions (yes, really), or be the first to check out a new drink. And why was he boiling water in the garden?
He was very impressed, and the scientist in him kicked in, and in researching this “wild plant,” discovered tea’s medical properties.
Tilly: Green tea is rich in beneficial polyphenols and antioxidants like catechins and theaflavins in black tea. Medicinal properties include anti-inflammatory, antiviral, and anti-cancer effects, as well as improving blood vessel function and bone protection. I gather green tea may aid weight loss, boost the immune system, and improve brain function by enhancing blood flow and oxygen to the brain. (Handstands send blood to the brain, too …)
Tea became immensely popular in China, so much so that containers for tea have been found in tombs from the Han dynasty.
In 618-906 AD, during the Tang dynasty, it became the national drink of China.
Tilly: What is wrong with Baijiu instead of tea? China’s national drink, known for its strong aroma and flavor comes in various styles, categorized by aroma, such as strong, light, sauce, and rice. Wonder what it is like to cook with.
So how did tea make it to Japan? Buddhist monks, that’s how. They had travelled to China to study and were so impressed they took it home to Japan. Today, tea is very much a part of Japanese everyday life. They even have a tea ceremony started by Zen monk Eisai Matcha.
Tilly: I like matcha tea, too. Recent research shows it improves brain function and may act as a deterrent for dementia.
Japan is not the only culture that has a tea ceremony. Korea and many other Asian countries performed these ceremonies within Buddhist temples until 1910.
Tilly: Many non-religious people in the UK have tea ceremonies – tea before starting work, tea after a short while, then more tea in another wee while; tea at coffee time, more tea before lunch … and so it goes. Amazing bladders in the UK! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vQ6LXJCp9IU
On to the fun stuff.
Before tea became important to that band of Brits on the North Atlantic island of Great Britain, it showed up in mainland Europe thanks to the Portuguese traders and missionaries who may have brought a few leaves with them when returning to Europe. So who brought the first tea? Well, blame the Dutch traders who infringed on the Portuguese trading routes. Also, it was the Dutch who loved tea, and spread it across most of Europe.
Tea originally came to America in the mid-1600 by the Dutch settlement of New Amsterdam. In 1664 New Amsterdam was captured by England and named New York.
The tea trade prospered among the women and wealthy colonists.
Tilly: Having seen Americans make tea by putting a bag in a cup of cold water, adding milk, and then ‘brewing’ it in a microwave, I despair. Not that microwaves were around in the 1600s … but I bet they put tea leaves into a kettle or pan, added milk, and boiled it on the stove.
So back in England, the English Parliament passed the Tea Act, a heavy tax on tea, which would eventually be the downfall of a particular colony.
Tilly, have you figured it out yet? Lol.
Tilly: I seem to recall it was a significant contributing factor to the American Revolution, leading to the dissolution of the British colonies and the establishment of the United States.
America decided to teach those Brits a lesson concerning the high taxes, and by 1776, “The Boston Tea Party” seized British ships and dumped the tea into the water.
Tilly: I thought the Boston Tea Parties were a way of circumnavigating the prohibition laws in the USA …
And the rest is history.
Today, tea remains one of the main drinks, not just in Great Britain but also in America.
Before ending, a bit of trivia. Iced tea originated at the 1904 World’s Fair. It was due to the unusually hot weather; a tea merchant asked an ice cream vendor for some ice. Yep, Tilly, American iced tea was born. Today, iced tea makes up 80% of the U.S. tea market sales.
Tilly, you should really try it… It is so good. Olive
Tilly: Hmm … not. Also not keen on iced coffee – love coffee to drink, but not keen on coffee cake, coffee ice cream or cold coffee. I do like legs or shoulders of lamb cooked in coffee!
In closing today, tea is the world’s most popular beverage after water.
Tilly: And wine? What about wine?
“Never trust a man who, when left alone in a room with a tea cozy, doesn’t try it on.”
– Billy Connolly
Olive and Tilly
More trivia about Tea.
- British Teatime
In Britain, afternoon teatime is a time-honored tradition. But did you know it was really just the result of a hungry society lady?
Tilly: Luncheon tended to be a small afair, with a l-o-n-g wait till dinner, which might be ten o’clock at night. No wonder she was hungry!
As the story goes, in 1840 or so, Anna Russel, the Duchess of Bedford, found herself languishing every afternoon between lunch and dinner. Instead of popping a granola bar, she dreamed up something far grander: a light meal with tea, that could double as a social affair.
The custom proved successful, and it caught on. These days, tea time is still enjoyed in Britain and beyond. It can come in many shapes and forms. Whether you enjoy an afternoon cup of your favorite Big Heart Tea blend or go all out with multiple teas, scones, clotted cream, and finger sandwiches, consider adding an afternoon tea break to your routine.
- It’s OK to Slurp, Sometimes… Here’s one more for the road! While slurping is generally seen as bad manners in the U.S., it’s not the case in China. Loud slurping is not only OK in China, but it can be considered a show of respect.
Tilly: And appreciation.
- There are around 3,000 different types of tea.
- The practice of putting milk in first is to do with social class – not taste.
Tilly: Nah, it’s flavour, Olive. Adding milk after brewing allows the flavour to infuse properly. Those who add milk first are called “miffers”; those who add it last are “tiffers”.
- Teabags were invented in the early 1900s.
Tilly: Many of the cheaper brands, I am convinced contain the dust and sweepings from the factory floor, hence the scum line in teapots and cups …
12 Comments
Sebestiana Serraglio
Ciao Ms. Tilly, Believe me when I say that I would NOT serve you tea, of any kind. If and when you visit, rest assured that coffee will be served to you. Whatever way you prefer it. The hubby is an avid coffee drinker. He has an expresso machine, coffee maker, French press and a drip coffee maker. So, you would have your choice as to how and what type of coffee you would prefer. I of course will drink my tea.
As to vino, I misunderstood what you meant, I thought you were saying that you disliked vino. So, when you arrive, I will make sure that you have a wonderful glass of vino. Not the sweet variety. Cocktail hour begins at 3 P,M., dinner with vino begins at 5:30-6:00 P.M. The rest of the evening is open. Dessert is served when everyone is ready for it. Vino will be freely flowing for the rest of the evening. Ms. Olive is also invited to attend.
I hope to see you, Ms. Tilly and Ms. Olive one of these days soon.
Regards, Sebestiana
Tilly
How wonderful is that response, Sebastiana! Thank you. A resident Barista! Magic. Bottomless wine bottles – more magic. And no doubt fabulous food … and terrific hosts. Sending it out into the ether that we make it happen.
Jerry Bell
Tea is wonderful, but like Tilly, I’m not a fan of some of them. My father was a diehard fan. I ignored it as a youth. It wasn’t until I was in college that I discovered iced tea, and by the time I was in the army, I was making sun tea daily. However, the first time I ordered regular tea in the south I had to spit the syrup out and gagged. Still don’t like sweet tea.
It wasn’t until I was past middle age that I became a fan of hot teas. Now I will brew some depending on my mood as to what kind I use, but I’m still not a fan of what sells for tea to most Americans. I’ll use the green teas, black teas and specialty teas.
Olive
Thank you for your comment… YOU DON’T LIKE SOUTHERN TEA… oh my… you do know that Olive is southern. I hate green teas but I bet Tilly will love it..
Tilly
Syrup! Delighted someone agrees with me, Jerry. YOuo might try some of the herbal or fruit tisanes in really hot weather – either hot or cold. They are refreshing and generally have no added sweeteners. Very fond of fresh mint tea after a meal. Love fresh ginger and lemon tea, and turmeric tea, too. Maybe I should have a go at garlic tea. I’m sure Olive would like it …
Jeff Dawson
Miss Tilly, Your description of being forced fed tea no matter the consistently happens in the states also. We had a cousin who made his own wine. Should have the bottle and cork in deep storage. For those that can’t handle a bag of sugar with a few ounces of water with tea, I completelty understand. That’s why many restaurants offer a half and half mix which isn’t too bad. Ah, you brought up Coors beer. Back in the day, if you seen the movie “Smokey and the Bandit,” Coors was illegal East of the Mississippi. Why? Think it had to do with distribution right or some bizarre law. Well, my dad decided we were going to visit his outlaws in Panama City. Mom couldn’t believe Ralph was bootlegging alcholhol. OH well. And when we showed up, that was the first question his cousins had, “Ralph, bring the beer? If not, go back ot Oklahoma.” Nothing a good cold Coors on a hot summer day.
Tilly
I did see ‘Smokey and the Bandit’ and enjoyed it. DO
on’t remember Coors featuring though. I cponcur with your father’s cousins entirely … and yes, a cold beer on a hot day is just the job. I’m not really a beer drinker but I enjoy a Peroni or a Tsing Dao at times. Refreshing.
I made champagne years ago – it was so lively, the corks all popped in the garage and coated everything! What was left in the bottles was delicious, albeit not old enough. ALso made red wine from elderberries. It was delicious – clear, rich red, meniscus, dry and oh-so moreish. But utterly lethal … my father failed to make it upstairs to bed and spent the night in an armchair; mother-in-law had a hangover from hell; husband swore off alcohol in an impromptu Lent. I consumed mega quantities of water before bed and was fine – apart from a rather full bladder …
Jeff Dawson
Who can forget the scene in “A Bridge Too Far’ as Sean Connery examines his hopeless situation in Arnhem when an aid offers him a cuppa. “Do you really think a cup of tea is going to change out situation?” The lad replied, ‘It can’t hurt.” and Sean obliged youngster. You see a reference the fine bevarage again when the British Armor is a mile from Arnhme but are waiting for the infantry to finish up in NIjmegen. Robert Redford’s character is livid. “Those are your men up there and your just going to sit here and drink…..tea?” Here in Texas, tea was a means of separating classes. The University of Texas and Texas A&M used to have a very heated rviavly. It was referred to as the Aggies and the tea sippers. A&M is the public shcool while UT is the private universtiy. And now we come to Ice Tea. Tilly, you don’t know what you’re missing. Next to a cold beer on a hot Texas day, there isn’t anything better to boost the spirits and top off a fine meal then an ice cold glass of Iced Tea. Now, if you go to the deep South, get ready for a sugar overload because when they say sweet tea, they mean it!
Olive
Thank you for your comment. One of the best movies Sean Connery made. On any hot day in the south, Ice Tea is it. You are so right about the deep south and over sweetening the tea.
Tilly
No one can deny the spine-stiffenng effects of tea, especially builder’s tea (strong enough to stand a spoon up), Jeff. Even the weaker versions have been known to calm a heated discussion, if only by pausing the exchange and giving time to reflect on what it is better not to say! But as child when the annual visit to relatives (my father worked abroad mostly), it was de rigeur to see everyone on the first day back … mortal offence taken if someone was left till the next day. At each home, it ws also de rigeur to take tea, ranging from wallpaper paste in thickness and strength to the delicate flavour of hot water – and I had to drink it. It was right up there with water-boarding.
As I wrote, if someone has made tea and gives me a cup, I will drink it … even though I would rather not. Iced tea, I’m sure I’d manage: I have been known to quaff a beer now and then. I was inordinately grateful for a cold Coors in N’Orleans …
Sweet tea? I’d probably throw up – don’t like sweet drinks in any form – even wine!
Sebestiana Serraglio
I always thought that there was something a bit different about you Tilly, and now I know why.
I love tea. Many different types of tea. No, I do NOT put milk or cream in my tea. I just don’t like it that way. I do add honey, sometimes, to my tea. Especially if I am in a crabby morning mood. Iced teas are not my thing. Just a hot cup of tea, made with boiling water in my whistling tea kettle.
Coffee to me tastes like dirt. No matter how much cream, sugar etc. It still tastes like dirt to me. I do love the smell of it though. That comes from my mother, percolating coffee in the morning and waking up to that scent growing up.
Now, as to other sweet drinks…not all vino’s are sweet, my dear. Maybe stop by and I’ll pour you a glass of wine 🍷 or two or maybe three….None of the sweet varieties, and we’ll see how you feel after that. 😁
Tilly
Ah, mia amica, trust you to find me out … The memories of gallons of tea in short order when visiting great aunts, great uncles, aunts, uncles, cousins, in-laws are the very stuff of nightmaes – with or without milk. As I say, I will drink the stuff rather than be ungracious about the hospitality, but always pray a second cup will not be poured … And horrors, milk, cream or sugar in coffee? Yuk. I like my coffee blakc, medium roast and medium brew. Yum.
A for wine – a day wihtout wine is like a day without sunshine. I love wine – just no sweet wine. Catch me at wine o’clock and if there isn’t a wine glass in my hand or nearby … something has gone wrong! You may pour me as many glasses as you wish! Red, white, rose, bubbles … salute!