Here in Texas winter has finally arrived. Perfect timing, since January is National Hot Tea Month.
Tea History
British colonists brought the habit of tea drinking with them when they migrated to North America. However, in protest of all things English in the early 1770s, American colonists tossed tea aside for other drinks. (And in the case of the Boston Tea Party, tossed it away literally.)
Today, tea has regained its popularity. As mentioned in 2022’s DYK This Beverage Is Second Only to Water in World Consumption, more than half of the U.S. population drinks some form of tea daily.
Did You Know…
- Before Portugal’s King John IV’s daughter, Catherine of Braganza, married England’s King Charles II in 1662, tea was used only as a medicine. She made it popular as a “social” drink in England.
- One legend claims the word “TEA” is the abbreviation of Transporte de Ervas Aromaticas (Transport of Aromatic Herbs) stamped on crates of loose leaf tea and other herbs taken to England by Catherine of Braganza. (However, it’s more likely the word came from a transliteration of a Chinese character.)
- Before the British East India Company began to import large amounts of tea, the English drank mostly coffee. They went from being the world’s largest coffee consuming nation to the world’s largest nation of tea drinkers. Ironically, the U.S. started as a nation of tea drinkers, but their drink of choice changed to coffee when they began boycotting tea.
- On December 16, 1773, 100 American colonists tossed 342 chests of tea—a total of 90,000 lbs. or 45 tons—into Boston Harbor. It took them nearly three hours and cost the British East Inda Company nearly $1,000,000 in today’s dollars.
- In 2023, almost four billion gallons of tea was consumed in the U.S.
True Teas
There are many types of “tea” available today, including herbal teas made from flowers, grains, leaves, and mushrooms. But all true “teas” come from the Camellia sinensis plant. There are only five true teas: Black, Green, Oolong, Pu-erh, and White.
Did You Know…
- The birthplace of tea is China, and 18% of the world’s tea is produced there.
- There are almost 1,500 different teas in Britain. They differ in style, taste, and color.
Storing Tea
Loose tea can be stored for at least a year, but to do so successfully, the tea must be protected from light, odors, and humidity. After purchase, transfer the tea into an airtight metal, glazed ceramic, or dense plastic container. If using a plastic bag, make sure it’s multi-ply, opaque, and can be zippered or vacuum-sealed shut. Remember, the better the storage container and location, the longer the tea will last.
Did You Know…
- Delicately scented teas should be stored away from strongly-flavored teas, otherwise, they’ll absorb the stronger flavors and aromas.
- Don’t use thin plastic sandwich bags, wooden containers, or even air-tight clear-glass jars to store tea.
- Also, make sure not to store your tea near a dishwasher or where you boil water.
Brewing Tea
According to the tea experts, to get the best results when brewing tea (bagged or loose leaf), follow these steps.
Always begin with fresh, cold water.
If using a teapot, warm it first with hot water.
As soon as the water begins to boil, pour over the tea bag/leaves. (For optimum tea flavor, don’t boil the water in the microwave.)
Use the recommended amount of tea and steep for the recommended amount of time. (For a milder flavor, shorten the brewing time. For a stronger flavor, increase it.)
If you plan to add milk to your tea, don’t. Rather, add tea to your milk. Putting the milk into the cup, then adding the tea allows the milk to cool the tea instead of the tea heating the milk.
Did You Know…
- According to tea experts, a “proper” cup of tea is made from loose leaf teas, not tea bags or powder.
- Originally, milk was added to the cup first to keep the delicate bone china from cracking when the hot tea was added.
- Tea experts agree that putting milk into hot tea after the tea has been poured into the cup alters the tea’s flavor.
- While a metal teapot keeps the tea hotter longer, tea brewed in a china pot keeps the tea’s flavor better.
- Loose leaf tea is useful, even after steeping. It can be used to flavor other foods or mulch plants.
Final Sip
Enjoying home-brewed tea is fine. However, there’s something special about drinking tea in a true tearoom, where you can enjoy everything from a single cup to afternoon or high tea (tea served with food). Tearooms aren’t as plentiful as coffee houses, but they are out there. One such tearoom is The Grand Empress Tearoom in Kilgore, TX. If you have a chance to check it out, do so. The ambience, service, and quality provide a unique tea experience.
If you want to know more about tea, click here to read the 2024 Tea Fact Sheet from The Tea Association of the U.S.A., Inc.