Discovered in China, tea has had a profound influence on societies and cultures around the world. The story An Artist Portrait (Part Two) - This is the Part Two (and final part) of the true life story as artist written by Frank V. Cahoj for our Weblog. (Part One) An Artist Portrait (Part Two) I give an unbelievable amount of credence to these two early periods in my life: one of everlasting creation, one of analysis and disillusionment. The… of tea begins in China approximately 5,000 years ago. Legend has it that the famous Emperor of China, who was also credited with inventing agriculture and Chinese medicine, was drinking boiling water around 2737 BC when a few leaves from a nearby tree fell into his water, changing its color. Intrigued by the liquid, the emperor tasted it and found it delicious and refreshing. Impressed by its taste and potential medicinal properties, he ordered that tea bushes be planted in the gardens of his palace.
Thus, the tradition of brewing fresh tea leaves in hot water began and quickly spread. Tea consumption became widespread throughout Chinese culture. In 800 A.D., Lu Yu wrote the first book For Game Design - Andrea Angiolino was born the 27th of April, 1966 in Rome, the city where he still lives. He published many boardgames and books about games, besides developing games for every media. His works appeared in more than a dozen of languages including Korean, Czech and Maltese. He is a game journalist on national magazines, newspapers,… on tea, called the Cha Ching, which was so comprehensive and influential that it elevated him to near sainthood during his lifetime. Tea production in China was historically a labor-intensive process, often carried out in remote and inaccessible areas. This gave rise to numerous apocryphal stories and legends surrounding the harvesting process.
Until the 5th century A.D., tea was primarily used for medicinal purposes due to its attributed health benefits. From that time onward, tea became popular among China’s upper class as a prestigious gift and as a beverage enjoyed at social gatherings and in private homes. Concurrently, the Chinese tea ceremony began to develop, and word of tea spread to Japan.
Tea made its way to Europe through Dutch and Portuguese sailors in the early 17th century. The tea trade played a significant role in establishing connections between the East and the West. In China, tea leaves were used as a form of currency, while in Europe, tea became a symbol of high social status and a catalyst for technological advancements. The locals in Europe had to make do with tea dust to brew their tea, and they experimented with adding milk, spices, sugar, and more, leading to a whole new development in tea preparation methods.
By the beginning of the 18th century, tea had reached North America and quickly became a popular beverage there as well. However, the British imposed taxes on tea, which greatly angered the public. In response, protests and boycott movements emerged, with demonstrators refusing to allow tea-laden ships to unload their cargo. The most famous incident was the “Boston Tea Party,” in which a group of locals boarded a cargo ship and dumped all its tea into the sea.
The early 20th century witnessed a significant increase in tea consumption, leading to the invention of tea bags. With the wide variety of teas available, it is evident that the entire world indulges in the rich aroma of this brew. Throughout the 20th century, tea cultivation expanded globally, from Japan to Africa and South America. Towards the end of the 20th century, there was a further surge in tea consumption in the Western world, with a demand for traditional teas.
India, currently the largest tea producer (although China has displaced its position in recent years), did not traditionally consume tea for pleasure until the British introduced the culture. It was primarily considered a medicinal herb. With the British establishing tea plantations along the borders of Assam, the tea culture was introduced in India.
Regardless of its origins, tea has now spread across classes and ethnicities to every corner of the world and continues to evolve even as you read this.
Manuel Marino is a seasoned Senior Producer, Music Composer, and Artist with over a decade of experience. He specializes in branded entertainment across various mediums, including video games, films, and advertising campaigns. With 20+ years as a game music composer, Manuel has worked on numerous platforms, creating diverse orchestral soundtracks. HIRE ME
