Tea

• Tea was first discovered in China over 5000 years ago. It was used as currency in ancient China and would be traded for goods and used to pay taxes.
• Originally consumed for its medicinal properties, tea gradually became a popular “social beverage.” 
• Tea cultivation and processing techniques were perfected over centuries, leading to the development of different types of tea, such as green, black, oolong, and white.
• Assam, located in northeastern India, is the largest tea-producing state in the country. Its robust and malty Assam tea is highly sought after. 
• On a global scale, China is the largest tea producing country, followed by India. These two countries dominate the global tea market, accounting for a significant portion of the world’s tea production. 
• Tea remains an integral part of cultural traditions, social gatherings, and daily routines, connecting people across continents through its delightful flavors and comforting warmth.

History of Tea in India

Tea was first introduced to North East India in the 1840s when the British East India Company began cultivating and producing tea in the Assam region. Prior to the British arrival, Indians primarily drank beverages like sugarcane juice, butts, namkin, and coffee. With the establishment of large-scale plantations, commercial tea production took off in Assam and spread to other hilly areas of Northeast India, West Bengal and Kerala. Some key developments in the history of tea in India include –

1. 1823 – Tea plant seeds were stolen from Chinese plants by Robert Fortune and transported to the Tetulia region of Assam, sparking the first tea plantation.
2. 1837 – The indentured labor system was established using workers from Bihar and other regions to work on Assam tea plantations.
3. 1856 – First commercial tea exports began from Kolkata port.
4. 1900s – Tea cultivation expanded into Darjeeling, West Bengal and the Nilgiris in South India which became famous for their unique teas.
5. 1950s – The Terai region of West Bengal and Dooars emerged as major tea growing belts.

Presently, India is the second largest tea producer in the world after China. The Northeast states of Assam and West Bengal remain the top tea growing regions.

History of Tea in Europe

Tea was first introduced to Europe in the 1600s by Dutch and Portuguese merchants trading with China. However, it was not until the British East India Company began importing large quantities of tea from China in the mid-1700s that it caught on widely as a popular drink across English society. Some key points in the history of tea in Europe include –

1. 1610 – The Dutch East India Company begins importing small amounts of tea to Holland.
2. 1650s – Tea is introduced to London society by Catherine of Braganza, the Portuguese princess married to King Charles II.
3. 1700s – The popularity of tea soars as the British East India Company establishes a tea monopoly, making it affordable for the masses.
4. Early 1800s – Tea replaces ale as the national drink of Britain. Specialized tea ware and rituals like British high tea emerge.
5. 1900s – As colonial trade flourishes, tea spreads to other European nations along different cultural journeys from Britain, Portugal, and beyond.

Today, tea is widely consumed across Europe in diverse preparations with particular regional favorites like black tea in Britain, green tea in Germany and herbal teas across mainland Europe.