There are so many types of teas we enjoy but have you ever stopped to think about where it all started?
The beginnings of tea and how it's become a household drink we enjoy is mixed with myths and facts but definitely make for an interesting conversation. From the time it was discovered to how it became a trading commodity to how it today is the second most widely consumed drink in the world, after water, tea is not just a beverage - it's a symbol of connection, hospitality and tradition that transcends borders!
Let's get started with some interesting facts!
- Legend has it that tea was discovered by Chinese Emporer Shen Nung in 2737 BC when leaves from a tree blew into his boiled drinking water.
- Did you know that in order to be called tea, the leaves must come from a Camellia Sinensis plant? Whether it is green, black, white, oolong - all come from the same plant. The difference is in the ay the leaves are oxidized.
- It takes nearly 2,000 tiny leaves to make just one pound of tea
- Tea only began being imported into Europe and the Americas in the 1600s
- Did you know that China is the largest producer of tea in the world followed by India?
- You'll sometimes hear words like Orthodox or CTC when referring to tea leaves, especially black tea. Orthodox is the traditional method of producing tea whereas CTC also known as "cut, tea and curl" was a way of making tea that was introduced around the second world war which allows to produce tinier granules of tea leaves.
- There are four main stages for orthodox tea leave production:
- Withering: after they are plucked, the tea leaves are gently dried to reduce the moisture content.
- Rolling: the stage where the leaves are rolled and prepared for the next stage.
- Oxidation: This stage determines the colour, taste and how strong a tea might be. The amount of time the tea is left to oxidize is different per tea.
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Drying: this stage stops the oxidation process and again reduces the moisture.
- Water temperature is very important when steeping tea. Different types of tea require different steeping temperatures! Check out our guide here.
These are just some interesting facts but there is a lot more to share, perhaps in a series! It's no wonder why tea lovers say tea is an experience and not just a beverage. With each sip, we honor not only its rich history but also the craftsmanship behind its creation.