A Brief History Of Tea In The UK - By: Shaun Parker

Tea leaves come from the plant, Camellia Sinensis which originates from south west Asia (northeast India, north Burma, southwest China and Tibet) with the Yunnan Province of China laying claim as the birthplace of Tea. Legend has it that circa 2737 BC, the Chinese Emperor, Shennong, was busy drinking a refreshing bowl of hot water when a gust of wind blew a few Camellia Sinensis leaves into it to the delight of the Emperor who enjoyed its flavour.

Today Tea is the world's most popular drink (after water) and is grown in more than 30 different countries around the world, including its native China, and has more varieties than you could possibly imagine.

Tea was imported to Britain for the first time during the 1660swhen King Charles II married Catherine of Braganza, a Portuguese Princess who introduced tea to the King. Around the same time Samuel Pepys spoke about drinking tea in his famous diaries. This spread to regular importing trade via the Chinese Hongs and the British East India Company who brought back many exotic products, but tea was the big seller raking in more money than any other imported drink, including alcoholic beverages, in quick time.

Originally promoted as a medicinal tonic, tea became a favourite with aristocrats in Britain but by the mid 18th century everybody was drinking tea as it became the national beverage. Tea trade came round in its droves because of the necessity for a return cargo on the route from Britain to East India. Merchant ships delivering fabric from Britain to China and India would return to Britain with an empty cargo hatch, so the East India Company devised a plan to publicise tea amongst the masses of Britain and as it became return cargo for the company tea took off in a big way.

In fact tea became so popular that Britain had to pay the Chinese for the beverage with silver bullion as China did not require any other British import on offer. This in turn lost Britain a lot of wealth due to the hit on bullion but there's no doubt that the trade of tea contributed to the dominance of the British Empire and is still regarded as a mark of Britishness and British colonialism.

Today, tea remains very British - like fish and chips, Wimbledon, The Queen - the world thinks of tea almost as soon as the word 'Britain' is said. There will be tea bags in the cupboards of every kitchen in the UK and in many other countries around the world also.

It's the first thing people make in the morning; it's synonymous with having a chat. 'Oh I'll put the kettle on and we can talk about it' or 'fancy a cuppa?' are terms that are recognisable by all, thus emphasising the popularity and iconic properties of tea.

Be it English, Darjeeling, Earl Grey, Chai, Lady Grey or peppermint, there are tea types to suit us all. Thank Britain for parting with silver bullion, otherwise tea may never have become such a part of our everyday lives.

About the Author

Shaun Parker is a historian with many years of experience in British history. Find out more about Tea at http://www.allabouttea.co.uk

Article Directory Source: http://www.articlerich.com/profile/Shaun-Parker/28721

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