At an organic tea garden in India’s Darjiling region, Camellia sinensis leaves are plucked by hand, as they have been since the British began widespread tea cultivation in the 1830s. Producing around two billion pounds (900 million kilograms) a year, India is the globe’s largest tea grower.
Here is more on tea. My passion for drinking tea led me to research and I found fascinating material I would like to share here from time to time. See for yourself and let me know what you think. It is so inspiring to learn more about the cultures of the world.
Part 1
Indian tea culture
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The cultivation and brewing of tea in India has a long history of applications in traditional systems of medicine and for consumption. The consumption of tea in India was first clearly documented in the Ramayana (750-500 BC). Research shows that tea is indigenous to eastern and northern India, and was cultivated and consumed there for thousands of years. However, commercial production of tea in India did not begin until the arrival of the British East India Company, at which point large tracts of land were converted for mass tea production.
Today, India is one of the largest tea producers in the world, though over 70% of the tea is consumed within India itself. A number of renown teas, such as Darjeeling, also grow exclusively in India. The Indian tea industry has grown to own many global tea brands, and has evolved to one of the most technologically equipped tea industries in the world. Tea production, certification, exportation, and all other facets of the tea trade in India is controlled by the Tea Board of India.
India produces and consumes more tea than any other country in the world, except for China, including the famous Assam tea and Darjeeling tea.
The cultivation and brewing of tea in India has a long history of applications in traditional systems of medicine and for consumption. The consumption of tea in India was first clearly documented in the Ramayana (750-500 BC). For the next 1000 years, documentation of tea in India was lost in history. Records re-emerge during the first century AD, with stories of the Buddhist monks Bodhidharma and Gan Lu, and their involvement with tea.
Research shows that tea is indigenous to eastern and northern India, and was cultivated and consumed there for thousands of years. Commercial production of tea in India did not begin until the arrival of the British East India Company, at which point large tracts of land were converted for mass tea production.
Today, India is one of the largest tea producers in the world, though over 70% of the tea is consumed within India itself. A number of renown teas, such as Darjeeling, also grow exclusively in India. The Indian tea industry has grown to own many global tea brands, and has evolved to one of the most technologically equipped tea industries in the world. Tea production, certification, exportation, and all other facets of the tea trade in India is controlled by the Tea Board of India.
I will continue to write here about tea occasionally. What would you like to find here? Do you have a “Tea Story” you like to share? You are invited to share it here.
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7 Comments and Pings on TEA CULTURE
You have stuck a chord with your tea-loving readers! Camellia sinensis truly is a gift to a weary world.
One of my mother’s favorite places is Leu Gardens in Orlando, known for its camellia collection – the second largest in the country! Both sinensis and japonica thrive, some towering to 20 feet tall — and all, in season, covered with magnificent blossoms in every combination of white to deep red.
All,that is, but the lowly tea-producing variety of camellia. This is truly a humble plant with a miniscule flower. One would pass right by unless one of the gardeners or botanists on staff pointed it out. Ah, but then, you want to linger and give silent thanks to this extraordinary plant.
Linda, you opened another door to look at tea. Many people are probably not even aware of the genuine source of the black grumbles they call tea. Your lead through the tea gardens is awesome. Thanks for sharing.
Having been raised in the UK and now living in Texas, I despair of finding a good “cuppa” unless I make it myself. We are fortunate to be able to buy a huge variety of teas in our local grocery store, from English Breakfast to Pineapple, Cucumber and Sage. (I made that one up, but you know what I mean!)
Unfortunately, most people here can’t tell the difference, and it all ends up tasting and looking like the dirty dishwater you mentioned in your earlier post.
When I’m at home, it’s not a problem – I make my own. When traveling, I carry tea bags and use the coffee maker to brew something approximating tea. But in a restaurant I either drink coffee or that peculiar American concoction known as iced tea.
The Boston Tea Party was a long time ago now, and I believe the tax they complained of has now been repealed. Is there some way we can educate this country in the art of tea making? Thank you, Leelja, for your efforts – if only there were more like you!
Gotta go – I’m going to make myself a cup of real tea!
Teas are so many with each their own distinctive characteristics. I believe a good cup of tea & the company we share it with is wonderful medicine as well!
Robin Lynn Brooks´s last blog ..Listen for that Real Connection in Relationship Building
Alan, thanks for stopping by. It is very true that people have no idea how a good cup of tea tastes. The coffee makers in most motel/hotel rooms have a very specific fragrance of coffee and tea brew in it, take it on, even when they are kept clean. To follow your advice and drink coffee on the road is a very good advice.
Time for a good cup of afternoon tea – I still order my tea from a company in UK like my family does for generations.
Leelja
Robin,
thanks for your lovely comment. I love tea and you love EVOLV
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