Tea History header

The rich history behind and around tea around the world

Yum Cha and Dim Sum

Yum Cha and Dim Sum

Chinese teahouses often snacks called “dim sum”. The practice of having tea with dim sum evolved into the modern yum cha

Immortal Dew

Immortal Dew

I do have a favorite tea, and where it’s grown it doesn’t have a particular name. We call it Immortal Dew.

The History of Tea in Taiwan

The History of Tea in Taiwan

If tea drinkers were asked to list their favorite teas and then told afterward that their tea choices provided a peek into their personalities, many would concede that there are plausible connections.

Tea Blending; History and Advice from 1894

Tea Blending; History and Advice from 1894

Tea blends come about for love or money. Some blends are classic creations shared across millennia, while others are the secret formulas of tea growers and merchants hoping to capture the affections of tea drinkers with their exclusive blends.

Why do Translations of Chinese Tea Names Differ so Much?

Why do Translations of Chinese Tea Names Differ so Much?

Iron Buddha, Iron Goddess of Mercy, Iron Bodhisattva, Tik Goon Yam, Tieguanyin, Tie Guan Yin, Tit Kwon Yin. These are different spellings of the same tea. Of course this same tea can have a huge spectrum in terms of grade, taste and quality but that is a story for another post.

Is the Tea Ceremony Romantic?

Is the Tea Ceremony Romantic?

One member of my Tea Dharma Club asked me: “Is the tea ceremony romantic?” I was surprised by this question, so I checked an English dictionary to find what the word “romantic” means.

A Very Brief History of Iranian Tea

A Very Brief History of Iranian Tea

In recent months I came across two Iranian films: “A Separation”, which won the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film in 2012, and a film entitled, “This Is Not a Film.”

The Samovar Story

The Samovar Story

Russian Poet Boris Sadovsky once said about the great Russian samovar, “being a purely Russian phenomenon, it is beyond the understanding of foreigners.”

Boost Productivity With Tea

Boost Productivity With Tea

It’s interesting to look at how tea helped fuel the Industrial Revolution. Businesses should look at adding some fresh loose-leaf teas to their company kitchen or breakroom.

Lu Tong; The Poet Sage of Tea

Lu Tong; The Poet Sage of Tea

Lu Tong, the Poet Sage of Tea was a respected tea personage of the Tang Dynasty in China. Little is known of his life, (795 - 835 CE) other than...

Teaware Oddities

Teaware Oddities

Teaware has a long and at times amusing history; and tucked in amongst the tea accoutrements are a few oddities worth mentioning.

The Jewel Tea Company

The Jewel Tea Company

The Jewel Tea Company – Some of the history and story behind this home shopping service in operation from 1899 to 1981.

A Tea Event at SuiHo-En

A Tea Event at SuiHo-En

The Japan Foundation Los Angeles (JFLA) organized part of a recent event entitled “Real Geisha, Real Stories” at SuiHo-En (水芳園) - a garden abutting...

Postage Stamps

Postage Stamps

First issued in 2002 in coil format, USPS’s 5-cent American Toleware postage stamp in the American Design Series features a tea or coffee pot...

Berinag Tea Revives You

Berinag Tea Revives You

Guest Contribution by Anirudha Singh Dhanik Berinag is a Himalayan town located 102 km from Pithoragarh (District Headquarters...

A Thirst for Empire

A Thirst for Empire

Tea has a rich and varied history, but you'd be surprised at what a HUGE impact it had on the modern world. The book, 'Thirst for Empire' focuses on...

A Nice Cup of Tea

A Nice Cup of Tea

A Nice Cup of Tea by George Orwell (1903 - 1950) I truly enjoyed stumbling upon this bit of tea advice by George Orwell; I hope you do, too. "If you...

Tea, In a Big Way!

Tea, In a Big Way!

The Little Tea Book by Arthur Gray was written at the beginning of the previous century. Witness for yourself with this excerpt the deep admiration...

Swadeshi

Swadeshi

Chai has become one of the common parts of India’s culture. The fingerprint of India’s culture is Masala Chai; every home possessing their own custom blend of spices and deeply brewed, brisk black tea. It’s always offered to guests and consumed on a daily basis to satiate and connect with a culture.

A Sip of Ceylon

A Sip of Ceylon

150 years of tea! This year (2017) Ceylon celebrates a century and a half of growing world-class tea, and the planet sipped along with jubilee in a...

The Legend of Darjeeling

The Legend of Darjeeling

Legend says winter comes from the hands of Chys Khan, the master of the cold. It is passed from his hands to those of Father Christmas, who is...

Canned Green Tea

Canned Green Tea

The expressions displayed on my Indonesian friend's and Vietnamese friend's faces when I handed them a canned coffee years ago were priceless; they...

Indonesian Teas: An Overview

Indonesian Teas: An Overview

I vacationed in Indonesia not so long ago and more recently ran across some exceptional Indonesian teas.  I'll try to say just a little about...