About Tea
History / origins
We Brits have been drinking tea for over 350 years. But the history of tea goes further back to its origins in China. According to legend, in 2737 BC, the Chinese emperor Shen Nung was sitting beneath a tree while his servant boiled drinking water, when some leaves from the tree blew into the water. Shen Nung, a renowned herbalist, decided to try the infusion that his servant had accidentally created. The tree was a Camellia Sinensis, and so was born ‘tea’. Tea drinking became very popular during the late Eighth century, in fact so much so that the writer called Lu Yu wrote the first book about tea, the ‘Ch'a Ching’, or Tea Classic! Japanese Buddhist monks took tea over to Japan and the tea Ceremony was born.
You can learn more about tea on the British Tea Council’s web site.
Afternoon Tea
Afternoon tea started in the early 1800s, when Anna, 7th Duchess of Bedford thought of the idea to ward off hunger between lunch and dinner. It has been said that the Earl of Sandwich created the idea of putting a filling between two slices of bread, and hey presto, the sandwich was created. Afternoon tea and the sandwich both became very popular and have become British institutions! Did you know people in the UK drink 165 million cups per day, that’s 62 billion cups per year!
The tea break
Tea breaks have been a tradition for around 200 years! When workers began their day at around 5 or 6am, employers allowed a break in the morning when food and tea were served. Some employers also repeated the break in the afternoon as well. However, between 1741 and 1820 industrialists, landowners and clerics tried to put a stop to the tea break maintaining that tea drinking and rest made working people slothful. Oh how could they say that about the great British institution!
Blessed Brew – How to brew a great cuppa
1. Fresh water please: Always boil fresh water, preferably filtered, as this will make sure that the taste is great and will help to enhance your tea drinking experience.
2. Put1-2 teaspoons of the blend into a teapot or infuser. Pour over freshly boiled water.
3. Infusing time: let your infusion steep for 3-7 minutes (depending on your taste) and watch the colour unfold!
4. We spend much of our time racing around, taking shallow breaths. Breathing deeply and connecting with the breath stills the mind. While your infusion is steeping, (around 3-7 minutes), begin by taking 4 deep breaths and then in your mind repeat the mantra noted on the packet. Feel the vibration of the mantra and its healing effects on the body and the mind.
How many cups?
You’ll get about 15 – 20 cups in a bag – we think this is great value for quality tea drinking!
Herbs
Cinnamon
Matricaria Recutita or German chamomile Is an all-around comforter. Thought to be the chamomile from ancient times; it was considered to be the sacred herb of the Saxons. Helps to promote a restful state.
Ginger
Zingiber Officinalis or ginger Ginger has been used for more than 2,000 years! It is warming and has been used throughout the ages (18th century) to balance other herbs and soothe the stomach.
Hibiscus Sabdariffa or Hibiscus
Hibiscus is part of the mallow family. It has a sweet and mellow taste. It contains Vitamin C and has a calming nature.
Lavandula Officinale or Lavender
A herb to bring about harmony. Lavender is taken from the Latin word ‘lavare’, which means to wash – the body, mind and spirit. It has been used as a tonic for the nerves and is traditionally used to lift the spirits. IT has been said that Queen Elizabeth I drank Lavender tea for headaches.
Glycyrrhiza Glabra or Liquorice
Liquorice is a soothing herb. It was used by the ancient Greeks to treat asthma. It has also been used to help with indigestion. It has also been for thousands of years for coughs, soothe the lungs, clear heat from the body and as a detoxifier.
Mashmallow or Althea Officinais
Althea’ is derived from the Greek although, which means ‘to cure’. It is great for general well-being. In Roman times, Marshmallow leaves were eaten as a vegetable and were considered to be a delicacy. The leaves are used as an accompaniment to salads in France and used as a food herb in China, where the root is boiled and then fried.
Yerbe Maté
Also called Maté – is a member of the Holy evergreen family and is found in Brazil, Argentina and Paraguay. Traditionally mate was used for energy and as a source of nutrition.
Avena Sativa or oat stra
It is great for general well-being and has a calming effect.
Passion Flower
Passiflora incarnate or passion flower. Helps to calm and relive tension.
Mentha Piperita or Peppermint
Helps to calm and has been used for stomach cramps and flatulence. In Greece and Rome mint was used to flavour sauces.
Rose Petals
Offer a subtle and delicate taste.
Rosa Canina or Rose Hips
Rose hips were used in the UK when there was famine. It is used as for well-being. In Chinese medicine, rose hips, or Jing Ying Zi, are used to treat kidney energy or Chi, and urinary disorders.
Mentha Spicata or Spearmint
Similar to peppermint, it has been used to calm and also for motion sickness.
