Herbal tea… a delicious beverage available in numerous varieties that we love to enjoy — whether alone or with friends or family. The enthusiasts of this drink number in the millions worldwide, but it’s worth asking ourselves — what are the origins of tea and how did it permeate the consciousness of various societies?
According to legends encountered by historians, the first mentions of a specially prepared beverage date back to the fifth century BC. The Chinese emperor is said to have tasted a brew that was created when a tea leaf fell into his cup of boiling water. From an interesting fact to an excellent drink, which became a ritualized consumption, tea elevated in Japan.
It was this people who were captivated by the aroma, taste, and exceptional health properties guaranteed by tea, with their favorite being the green variety.
The Age of Great Geographic Discoveries led merchants, primarily from Portugal and Spain, to import suitable tea leaves for brewing into Europe. Initially, the beverage was met with little interest, as locals found it too bitter and exotic. Over time, the popularity of the drink gradually increased, and it was most warmly received in Great Britain, where around the seventeenth century it became a national drink, often served in a beautifully decorated cup, with a splash of milk and biscuits, which later came to be called cookies.
The heroine of today’s article was initially received quite coldly on her homeland. She was approached with a good deal of suspicion, and some nobles believed that regular consumption could lead to serious health problems. This myth was debunked by Stanisław August Poniatowski, who was fond of exotic delicacies and served his guests a beverage enriched with a little honey or sugar, which greatly improved its taste.
Nowadays, access to tea is almost limitless; we can choose from products in grains, tea bags, or the traditional form — dried leaves. Tea lovers can opt for white, black, green, or red varieties, so the choice is truly vast… the same goes for special vessels used to prepare tea, which can bring out its unique, delicious flavor. The popularity of this beverage can perhaps only be rivaled by coffee, but coffee is mainly consumed for pragmatic reasons — to energize and "wake up" the drinker. Tea, on the other hand, is an integral part of social and family gatherings, and is also consumed to soothe frayed nerves.
We are convinced that the coming decades will bring further evolution in the ways tea is brewed and enjoyed… who knows, perhaps new varieties will be discovered that we could only dream of so far? We just need to be patient and wait for further news, of course with a cup of properly brewed tea in hand!
In the wide range of Luxury Products, you will find stylish cups and accessories for tea tasting from manufacturers around the world. We especially love handcrafted functional art pieces, which are sure to make an ideal gift!
