The history of tea - Shunan Teng
TED-Ed・2 minutes read
Shennong discovered tea by chance after numerous poisonings, marking its significance in ancient China, evolving from a vegetable to a drink 6,000 years ago. Tea's global spread led to Japan's tea rituals, China's loose leaf transition, and the British stealing tea plants to cultivate in India, making it a popular beverage worldwide.
Insights
- Shennong's accidental discovery of tea, after numerous poisoning incidents, emphasized the crucial role tea played in ancient China, showcasing its significance in traditional medicine and culture.
- The evolution of tea from a consumed vegetable to a brewed beverage, along with its global spread facilitated by trade and cultural exchange, underscores the transformative impact of tea on societies worldwide, shaping traditions, economies, and global commerce.
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Recent questions
How was tea discovered?
Accidentally by Shennong after poisoning himself.
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Summary
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"Tea: From Divine Discovery to Global Trade"
- Shennong, a divine farmer, discovered tea accidentally after poisoning himself 72 times in the forest while searching for edible grains and herbs. The leaf he chewed on revived him, leading to the discovery of tea, highlighting its importance in ancient China.
- Tea was initially consumed as a vegetable or cooked with grain porridge in China around 6,000 years ago. It transitioned to a drink 1,500 years ago when people realized that heat and moisture could create a complex taste. The standard preparation method involved heating tea, packing it into portable cakes, grinding it into powder, mixing with hot water, and creating a beverage called muo cha or matcha.
- Tea spread globally, with Japan developing its own tea rituals and the Chinese emperor shifting from tea pressed into cakes to loose leaf tea during the Ming Dynasty. The tea trade became lucrative, leading to the development of the clipper ship for faster transport. The British East India Company commissioned botanist Robert Fortune to steal tea from China, leading to the spread of tea cultivation to India and its growth as a popular beverage worldwide.
