Personalized Tea
Personalized Tea

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.
Personalized Disney Princess Tea Party CD - Birthday Gift For Girls - MyTunez.biz
![]() VINTAGE PERSONAL TEA SET 5 PIECE DEMITASSE JAPANESE MORAIGE BLUE EYED DRAGON US $29.95
|
![]() 1896 RochesterMichiganJane RJoneshandwrittenBest Tea Dustpersonal letter US $19.99
|
![]() New Suns Tea 12oz Borosilicate Glass Personal Tea Mug Infuser US $13.49
|
![]() Rare Hutschenreuter Silver Tea or Coffee Purcolator Pot for 1 Person US $12.50
|
![]() ROYAL WORCESTER OVERSIZED VERY IMPORTANT PERSON GOLF LOGO TEA COFFEE CUP US $39.99
|
![]() 40 Baby Shower Personalized TEA BAG FAVORS Tea Included Completely Assembled US $22.95
|
![]() Vintage Traditional English Style Black 2 Person Tea Pot Pristine US $23.27
|
![]() PORCELAIN PERSONAL SIZE TEA POTNEW 2 CUPS OLD AMSTERDAM US $6.59
|
![]() Tea Time Rubber Stamps NIB 16 Teeny Weeny Personal Stamp Exchange Miniatures US $3.99
|
![]() Primitive hearts and stars tea kettle PERSONALIZED FREE US $26.95
|
![]() Personalised Gift Tags Pack of 12 Alice in Wonderland US $3.88
|
![]() BRIDAL SHOWER FAVORS PERSONALIZED TEA BAG LABELS 30 US $6.67
|
![]() New Suns Tea 12oz Borosilicate Glass Personal Tea Mug Infuser Set of 2 US $21.99
|
![]() Rosenthal Art Deco Personal Tea Pot Excellent Condition US $15.00
|
![]() 30 BABY SHOWER PARTY PERSONALIZED TEA BAG LABELS FAVORS US $6.40
|
![]() Tea Pot Personal US $15.00
|
![]() Coaching Scenes by Jonson Brother new Tea sett Md England 8 person US $95.00
|
![]() Precious Moments Personalized Coffee Tea Mug Cup Pam 1989 Enesco US $9.99
|
![]() Small Early 2 Person Silverplate Hand Made TEA SET INTERNATIONAL SILVER CO GC US $7.75
|
![]() NEW PERSONAL SIZE SINGLE CUP COFFEE MAKER WITH MUG FOR TEA HOT COCOA OR SOUP US $23.95
|
![]() JACK DANIELS PERSONALISED COFFEE TEA CUP MUG BIRTHDAY GIFT US $8.83
|
![]() BABY SHOWER FAVORS PERSONALIZED TEA BAG LABELS 60 US $13.32
|
![]() BABY SHOWER FAVORS PERSONALIZED TEA BAG LABELS 45 US $9.99
|
![]() Tea Party Birthday Personalized Favor Tea Bag Labels US $13.99
|
![]() Disney® Princess Tea Party Personalized Music CD US $13.95
|
![]() 15 WEDDING BRIDAL Roses Flowers Tea Bag Labels Personalized Party Favors US $3.50
|
![]() MY TEA PARTY Personalized Childrens Book US $8.99
|
![]() JONNY DEPP JOHNNY DEPP PERSONALISED COFFEE TEA CUP MUG CHRISTMAS GIFT US $8.83
|
![]() PINKY AND THE BRAIN PERSONALISED COFFEE TEA CUP MUG KIDS CHRISTMAS GIFT US $8.83
|
![]() Bridal Shower Wedding Personalized Favor Tea Bag Labels US $5.99
|
![]() Personalized Polka Dot Baby Shower Tea Bag Favors Set of 12 US $5.99
|
![]() LITTLE MERMAID PRINCESS ARIEL PERSONALISED TEA COFFEE MUG CUP CHRISTMAS GIFT US $8.91
|
![]() BRIDAL SHOWER FAVORS PERSONALIZED TEA BAG LABELS 75 US $16.65
|
![]() DESPICABLE ME PERSONALISED TEA COFFEE MUG CUP KIDS CHRISTMAS GIFT US $8.91
|
![]() Personalized Boutique Ruffle Ribbon Socks Pageant Tea US $8.00
|
![]() LITTLE MISS SUNSHINE PERSONALISED TEA COFFEE MUG CUP KIDS XMAS GIFT US $8.91
|
![]() Personalized Pink Onesie Baby Shower Tea Bag Favors Set of 12 US $2.99
|
![]() Personalized Pink and Brown Baby Shower Tea Bag Favors Set of 12 US $2.99
|
![]() BABY SHOWER DECORATIONS PERSONALIZED TEA BAG LABELS 30 US $6.67
|
![]() Vintage Trade Card Vegetable Person Veggie Great American Tea Co Bufford US $7.50
|
![]() SMURFETTE THE SMURFS PERSONALISED TEA COFFEE MUG CUP CHRISTMAS GIFT NAME PRINTED US $8.91
|
![]() HELLO KITTY PERSONALISED COFFEE TEA CUP MUG KIDS CHRISTMAS GIFT US $8.83
|
![]() JUSTIN BIEBER PERSONALISED COFFEE TEA CUP MUG BIRTHDAY GIFT US $7.62
|
![]() MICHAEL JACKSON MJ SIGNED PERSONALISED TEA COFFEE MUG CUP CHRISTMAS GIFT US $8.91
|
![]() 15 ZEBRA PRINT BABY SHOWER PARTY PERSONALIZED TEA BAG LABELS FAVORS WEDDING US $4.25
|
![]() NEW 6 PERSON CZECH REPUBLIC KOBALT ADELINE THUN TEA SET CUPS ORIGINAL US $99.99
|
![]() JACK DANIELS JD PERSONALISED TEA COFFEE MUG CUP XMAS GIFT YOUR NAME ON IT US $8.91
|
![]() 50 TEA BAGS BABY SHOWER FAVORS PERSONALIZED WITH TEA US $22.00
|
![]() HELLO KITTY PINK ANGEL PERSONALISED TEA COFFEE MUG CUP KIDS CHRISTMAS GIFT US $8.91
|
![]() Disney Princess Tea Party Personalized Childrens CD US $16.75
|
![]() Custom Engraved GLASS COFFEE MUG TEA GLASS Personalized US $7.00
|
![]() 50th Anniversary Wedding Bells Tea Favors Personalized US $12.95
|
![]() Black Decker Personal Coffeemaker Expresso Tea Juice Soda Travel Beverage Mug US $39.95
|
![]() Mickey Mouse tea kettle PERSONALIZED FREE US $26.95
|
![]() 10 Barbie Tea Party Personalized Birthday Invitations A US $10.00
|
![]() BRIDAL SHOWER FAVORS PERSONALIZED TEA BAG LABELS 45 US $9.99
|
![]() PINKY AND THE BRAIN PERSONALISED TEA COFFEE MUG CUP CHRISTMAS GIFT NAME PRINTED US $8.91
|
![]() Personal COFFEE Tea Tumbler Mug Combo French Press US $11.99
|
![]() BABY SHOWER FAVORS PERSONALIZED TEA BAG LABELS 30 US $6.67
|
![]() Personalised TEA PARTY Canvas 30x60cm by Kids Art US $88.87
|

US $29.95































































