A brief & unusual history of tea

Tea enjoys an unusual history. The world’s most popular beverage (after water) has a background steeped in legend, war, espionage, and meditative ritual — all caused by the leaves of a humble shrub.

Camellia sinensis is a small, bushy evergreen plant native to southwestern China. According to Chinese mythology, its leaves were first used to make tea in 2737 BC. Emperor Shennong, a legendary ruler, was boiling water to sterilize it. He left the pot unattended, and in his absence, a few Camellia sinensis leaves drifted into the pot, carried by a gentle breeze. Shennong returned to find the water had changed color — through the whims of Nature, he had stumbled upon the world’s first cup of tea. Upon its discovery, tea immediately became a staple of Chinese culture. Farmers planted fields of tea shrubs and teamakers started experimenting with ways to brew the leaves.

All the different tea varieties you find today — white, yellow, green, black, oolong, pu-erh — come from the leaves of C. sinensis, but are processed or aged in different ways. White tea, for example, is made with fresh baby tea leaves; black tea (called “red tea” in China) is made with adult leaves that are aged to deepen their color and flavor.

The War for Tea

Eventually, trade routes opened up between China and the rest of the world and tea began to spread. In the centuries that followed, the British found a particular love for the hot drink — so much so that, when trade relations collapsed and China banned selling tea to Britain, the British declared war.

After a short series of battles, the British won, reopening tea trade routes. But even in victory, they were concerned that China was the only country growing their favorite (and most profitable) beverage.

Under orders from the British government, spies traveled to China and snuck into tea plantations. They smuggled out tea plants and documents about tea processing, and before long, the British Empire began growing its own tea in British-controlled India.

Japanese Tea Ceremony: The Meditative Side of Tea

In other parts of the world, tea was a more peaceful affair.

In the 12th century, Buddhist monk Eisai brought matcha — finely powdered green tea — back from his travels in China. He also brought tea seeds, and he and his fellow monks began cultivating tea shrubs around their monasteries.

Growing, harvesting, and preparing tea became a meditative Buddhist practice, and with their extraordinary combination of focus and patience, Buddhist monks began producing the finest matcha in Japan.

Monks also began serving tea as a Buddhist ceremony. They were graceful, precise ceremonies that focused on perfecting table setting, arranging flowers, whisking the matcha, pouring, and every other aspect of service, all for a humble cup of tea. In putting so much time and care into something that was gone in moments, participants were prompted to reflect on the transience of life, and to find beauty in imperfection. Before long, tea ceremonies spread from the monasteries into the upper classes of Japan, where they grew into a cultural staple. The Way Of Tea became an area of study, and ceremonial tea schools began to develop across the country.

A Simple Tea Ceremony to Try at Home

A traditional Japanese tea ceremony involves a variety of special tools and techniques. But you can enjoy the meditative philosophy of the ceremony in a simpler way.

Find a high quality green tea or ceremonial grade matcha and set aside a few minutes of your day to enjoy it. Brew it with care, paying attention to each step in the process: the steam rising from the water, the changing smell of the tea as it steeps, the sound of the water as you pour it into a cup.

While the tea cools, go outside and find a piece of Nature — a plant, a tree branch, a flower, or perhaps a leaf.

Sit down with your tea, place the natural object in front of you, and consider its beautiful imperfection. Enjoy your tea slowly, considering every sip, until your cup is empty. Then take a few moments to reflect on your life before you continue with your day.