The term “tea culture” is often used to refer to the longstanding practice of drinking tea. Tea, being a beverage made from dried and powdered leaves or stems of plants, dates back to China over 5,000 years ago.
Traditionally people drank tea as it was meant for health benefits including stimulating digestion and fighting fatigue together with other side effects such as better memory.
Among all the countries in Asia, China is the most famous for its “tea culture” developed on the basis of its long history in which teas are enjoyed by everyone from royalty to peasants.
Tea in China is a prestigious drink, enjoyed throughout the country by the rich as well as by the poor. Tea was regarded as a symbol of power and wealth during the Song Dynasty (960–1279) when it was considered an expensive drink that only the aristocracy were able to afford.
Since then, tea consumption has been built up along economic development and status. The landscape for tea on its way to domestic reach is quite long. From its earliest mention in literature in the early thirteenth century, when it was being used for medicinal purposes by Taoist priests, through Chinese history to imperial taste and then world-wide popularity in modern times: there is a lengthy history behind this beverage.
Tea culture is defined by the customs and traditions that are associated with tea. It may include the history of the teapot, tea caddies and other items used by tea drinkers. The way people around the world drink tea is affected by geography, climate, culture, degree of modernization, as well as timezones. Particular types of tea such as green or black have their own cultures that are independent from other types of teas.
Tea is recognized as a very special beverage in various countries of the world. In general, tea is considered to be a vital beverage in several social gatherings, and many formal events. In Britain, for example, the trend of consuming afternoon tea is very popular and people enjoy consuming this hot drink to the fullest.
On the other hand, the tea culture of China, from where tea seems to have supposedly originated, and other Asian countries do not coincide mutually with respect to the method of preparation. Take for example, in Tibet, tea is typically prepared using salt and butter whereas in China, they use a small amount of tea grains without using hot water, and steep it for a few seconds for the initial extract.
In any case, the influence of tea culture by the British Empire seems to be the most influential one so far. To put it simply, as a result of the dominion of The British Empire over several regions and countries of the world, for example, India, Pakistan, Hong Kong, Australia, New Zealand, East Africa, etc., (having no pre-existing tea traditions at all) the British tea culture distributed over a considerable extent.
As tea today comes in wide-ranging types, for example, white, purple, black, green, etc. suffice to say, different regions of the world use different versions with different savors, for example, herbs, milk, or sugar. The temperature and potency of a tea type therefore vary mutually.
Myriad people worldwide consume tea for a variety of reasons: some drink it for flavor or fun, others drink it for remedying various ailments.
Moving our tea journey ahead, we get around all the four cardinal directions of the world and explore the different types of tea relished in different locations of the world including various tea traditions, trends, and legends followed there.
So without beating around the bush, let us get started now below.
Tea Culture in China
The drinking of tea began in China. From there, it spread westward. For Chinese people, tea is an integral part of life. In many households, tea is always served and there is always brewing. There are also certain rituals involved in the drinking of tea that are unique to China. For example, it’s common for people to brew their own black or green tea leaves before drinking them as a way of showing respect for the plants used to make them.
Tea culture in China has grown over time and Tea culture is now recognized worldwide as a way of life and a part of Chinese holidays and celebrations such as Spring Festival or Mooncake Festival. Today there are many different types of tea, such as Thai Jasmine teas or chocolate flavored ones, which have become popular around the world.
Tea Culture in Britain
Tea culture in Britain is not just a social activity, it’s a way of life. Britons have been brewing and drinking tea since the end of the 17th century, but they didn’t just drink it when they had time to spare. They brewed it in factories and then sold it to shops and customers daily.
Britain has always been at the forefront of innovation and technological advancement, with coffee shop chains conquering British markets as early as 1887. The difference between how coffee is consumed today, compared with tea consumption during these times, is that people who wanted to drink tea from their home resort would do so by first boiling water in a kettle before pouring it into individual pottery cups.
Tea Culture in United Kingdom
The United Kingdom has a long and rich tea culture, with tea shops and traditions that date back to the 19th century. The tradition of afternoon tea is still a staple for many Brits today.
Tea in the UK first became popular in the 1800’s, when it replaced alcohol as the drink of choice. Tea was seen as a healthy alternative to alcoholic beverages, which were banned from consumption during part of this time period because of health risks from contaminated water supplies.
With less beer consumption and an increase in restrictions on drinking water, there was an increase in demand for tea. The average Briton drank close to three cups of tea each per day, as opposed to the one cup of coffee enjoyed by their American counterparts.
Tea Culture in Korea
Tea culture in Korea can vary significantly depending on where you live. Some tea is drunk for social gatherings, while some serves as a tool for meditation. Korea is a predominantly Buddhist country, and tea has played a central role in the practice of Buddhism. Tea plants were brought to Korea from China during the Three Kingdoms era (57 BC – 668 AD). In traditional Korean tea ceremony, powdered green tea was called “chunjungcha” while brewed tea was known as “gyulcha”.
The powdered form is similar to matcha in Japan, but instead of being whisked with hot water it is mixed with warm water for consumption. The brewed form may be consumed plain or mixed with honey and spices for variety.
Tea Culture in Japan
Japanese culture is overflowing with tea and its culture in general. The Japanese style of tea ceremony derives from Chinese rituals, but its history extends far further back. There is evidence that the practice was cultivated by various cultures including the Han Dynasty in China, and ancient Romans who valued teas more than those of other countries. The Japanese pronunciation of its name is even derived from “tea” in Latin rather than “chai”.
Tea ceremonies, tea houses, and the etiquette surrounding various types of tea all comprise a large part of the country’s culture. Tea drinking has been widely practiced in Japan since the 9th century, when the Japanese emperor presented tea plants as a gift to a religious sect. The powdered form of green tea that is common today was initially used for medicinal purposes, to keep down dust in the fields or to keep cool in the summer months.
Tea Culture in India
India has a culture of tea that is a vast and varied one, with the country exporting many of the teas consumed in Western countries.
Even though it is not as popular as tea drinking in the West, it is integral to some cultures in India. The leaf is most commonly used, but different parts of the plant have different flavors.
In India, not only is there a considerable amount of scientific research about tea with many medical properties being studied but there are also some fabulous myths and legends that surround tea.
The drink is enjoyed from Assam in the north down to Kerala in the south. Many different types of tea are made and consumed in India, for example, Black tea, Green tea, White tea, etc.
Tea Culture in Thailand
The word “chai” in Thai, which means tea, is derived from the Chinese word for tea. Tea has been consumed in Thailand since ancient times because it is cheap and helps to maintain health.
The first teahouse was established in Bangkok in the mid-1800s by a Chinese immigrant known as Lam Sai Kee. It became a popular gathering place among Westerners living in the city and from there, many more shops would follow suit.
Tea shops have a rich history in Thailand dating back to the 1800s when they were mostly owned by Chinese immigrants. In more recent times however, foreigners have started opening up these establishments as well with some Chinese established since the early 1900s.
Tea Culture in Morocco
In Moroccan society, as in many cultures around the world, tea is considered an everyday drink that can help people relax and unwind after a long day. Tea drinking was introduced to Morocco by members of the British community during their colonial period. When the British left in 1956, tea drinking had a long way to go before it became popular in Moroccan society.
Despite this slow start, within two decades of independence (and after the establishment of many local tea factories) tea drinking has become an integral part of everyday life and a basic necessity for all Moroccans.
Tea is not simply a beverage, but rather a means of relaxation and meditation during the day, particularly at the end of a long stressful day. The strong call for awareness raising on tea culture has resulted in this not only becoming well known but also accepted as one of the most important aspects of Moroccan culture.
Tea Culture in Russia
Tea culture in Russia goes back centuries to times when tea was an expensive luxury. Russian tea drinking rituals were also influenced by Orthodox customs. The Russian Orthodox Church introduced the tradition of drinking tea on Sunday morning before church service, which is called “Svečaniye Vspery” (Holy Tea).
This tradition dates back to tsarist palaces and monasteries where Sunday morning tea was served before Divine Liturgy as a gesture of hospitality from the host towards his guests.
After their religious obligations, the guests were offered more food for breakfast at a festive table laid with various breads and sweets, including honey cakes, butter cookies, and Easter breads.
Sitting down to breakfast at the table, the hosts and their wives began to drink tea, an offering to God. Russian Orthodox priests abstained from alcohol, but allowed tea.
