Tea drinking habits vary around the world. Much of this has to do with the history of how tea products were produced in different regions, according to what cooking equipment was available and what other ingredients and accompanying dishes were popular.
In China, people have been making tea products for thousands of years. The legend of Emperor Shennong in ancient times tells the story of how tea leaves were accidentally blown into his bowl of boiling drinking water. The emperor took a sip, and was pleased with the flavour. Some experimentation led to his discovery of the restorative properties of this new beverage, and thus tea was invented. Whether the legend is true or not, tea has had a long influence on Chinese culture. Even today, Chinese social life is often centred around the local tea house, where people meet up to relax, gossip, and drink tea. Green tea is the most common variety consumed in China.
Eventually, tea spread to other corners of the globe, often introduced to new places by travellers wanting to share the discovery upon returning home. Different tea drinking habits developed and became part of cultures. The Mongolians, for example, traditionally drink their tea from bowls, rather than a cup. The Russians have been known to serve their tea with sugar and jam. In India, tea was only consumed for medicinal reasons, until the British reintroduced it as a drink for pleasure in 19th century.
When tea arrived in Britain in the mid-1600s, it became increasingly popular. The British had a preference for black tea, rather than green tea, and often served it sweetened with milk and sugar. Afternoon tea time is still held daily in Britain, and black tea is often served with scones, jam and cream. This practice also continues to be observed by many people in many former British colonies, including Australia.
Today, tea products of all different varieties are enjoyed all over the world. In countries such as Japan, the British method of serving black tea is now much more common than in the past, with many British tea houses being opened. However, green and flavoured tea products are now being enjoyed by many people even in countries where black tea has been traditionally been most common. Some more recent developments have become popular, such as chilled sweet tea, canned tea, and iced tea. Most supermarkets now carry many different flavours and varieties of tea products from all over the world.
This article is written by Hugh McInnes on the topic How Do You Drink Your Tea. The history of tea and the different tea drinking habits from around the world is truly intriguing. Uncover how art of how people drink their tea in different parts of the world.
