The Past and Present of Tea
Tea, this miraculous leaf from the East, has accompanied Chinese civilization through millennia. When we speak of tea, it is as if we can catch the faint scent of its ancient fragrance and sense the tranquility and harmony it embodies. But did you know that the origin, development, and spread of tea form a magnificent historical tapestry? Today, let us travel through time to explore the past and present of tea.
1. The Origin of Tea: The Legend of Shennong Tasting Herbs
According to historical records, the origin of tea can be traced back nearly 5,000 years to ancient China. Legend has it that during the era of Shennong, the mythical ancestor of Chinese culture, tea was discovered for its remarkable properties. The Divine Farmer’s Herb-Root Classic records: “Shennong tasted hundreds of herbs, encountered seventy-two poisons in a single day, and was healed by tea.” Here, the term “tea” refers to what we now know as the tea leaf.
2. The Development of Tea: From Medicine to Beverage
Western and Eastern Zhou Dynasties: As understanding of tea deepened, around 3,000 years ago, people began cultivating tea plants and consuming tea leaves as a vegetable. Its unique aroma and taste had already captured people’s attention.
Qin Dynasty: During the Qin Dynasty, tea started to be brewed as a beverage, and the practice of boiling tea into a soup gained popularity. Tea was no longer just a medicinal plant but had become part of daily life.
Han Dynasty: The commercialization of tea accelerated during the Han Dynasty. Chengdu emerged as one of the earliest distribution centers for tea in China, witnessing the flourishing tea trade. Techniques for growing and processing tea also advanced significantly.
3. The Golden Age of Tea: The Tea Culture of Tang to Qing Dynasties
Tang Dynasty: The Tang Dynasty marked the formative period of Chinese tea culture. Influenced by economic and cultural developments, as well as the advocacy of Lu Yu’s The Classic of Tea, tea drinking became a nationwide practice. The integration of tea into religious practices, particularly in Buddhist and Daoist traditions, further elevated tea culture to new heights.
Song Dynasty: During the Song Dynasty, people refined and innovated tea brewing techniques, with an unprecedented emphasis on water quality. Activities like “tea competitions” and “tea dividing” became popular social customs.
Yuan Dynasty: The production of loose-leaf tea advanced during the Yuan Dynasty. The method of “focusing on roasting rather than steaming” significantly improved the taste and quality of tea.
Ming Dynasty: The processing techniques for yellow tea, dark tea, and scented tea were developed during the Ming Dynasty, enriching the variety and flavors of tea. Meanwhile, with the expansion of overseas trade, Chinese tea began to spread across the world.
Qing Dynasty: During the Qing Dynasty, Chinese tea took the world by storm, dominating the global tea market. China was the sole exporter of tea at the time, with roasting and pan-firing as the primary processing methods. The six major tea categories—oolong, black tea, dark tea, scented tea, green tea, and white tea—were largely established, laying a solid foundation for the future development of tea culture.
4. The Spread of Tea: An Eastern Elixir Conquers the World
With the opening of the Silk Road and the growth of maritime trade, Chinese tea gradually spread across the world. From Asia to Europe, and then to the Americas and Africa, tea became a widely consumed global beverage. Today, whether it’s during British afternoon tea or Japanese tea ceremonies, the influence of Chinese tea can be seen and felt.