History Of Tea

Short History Of Tea - Things to Know

Many people do not realize it, however, tea sets date back as far as 220 BC and 206 BC.  Before tea sets were used by nobles, it was used by the Han Dynasty of China.  The Han Dynasty’s tea sets were seen in only two colors, white in the north and blue in the south.  Tea is said to have come in bricks back in these days. 

It was mixed with herbs and spices and served in a bowl of hot water.  The tea was both warmed and served from the bowl.  There were no cups or teapots.  People believe that back then tea was used, it was used for medicinal purposes.  It wasn’t until 618 BC and 906 BC that drinking tea became fashionable by the Tang Dynasty.  At this time, the Tang Dynasty began using tea in a powder form.  The tea was whisked in a bowl before drinking it.  Back then, a whisk came with the tea set.

Many people believed that the Chinese did not use teapots to brew their tea.  It was believed that they brewed the tea right in the cup.  Recently however, a few teapots from the Song Dynasty have been discovered.  Although tea sets from the Song Dynasty were discovered, the Ming Dynasty of the fourteenth century is given credit for inventing the tea pot and loose leaf tea.  It was said that the tea was brewed separately in the tea pot and then strained out when the tea was poured.

When tea made its way to Europe, the prices were very high.  Because of this, the first tea sets there were very small.  In the 17th Century, trade increased and prices went down,  creamers were added to the tea sets.  Doctors began to promote adding milk to tea. They said that this made it healthier.  The sugar bowl was added soon after.  By the 18th Century, a full tea set was in use.  European tea cups back then did not have handles.  Many Asian tea sets still do not.  Around the 1700's, saucers began to be used in some European tea sets.  It did however, take time to become common in most household tea sets.

Todays tea sets are much like that of the days of Queen Victoria.  Todays formal tea sets are based on her treasured set.  It includes a tea pot, tea kettle, coffee pot, creamer, waste bowl and sugar bowl.  Many people in America who own formal tea sets use them for special occasions or just decoration.  Using a tea set every day is not done too often anymore.

These days, tea time is a daily even in some places.  In America, it is not as popular.  Although tea is not a ritual for American adults,  little girls everywhere enjoy playing with their tea sets.  Some of these tea sets are formal, just like the real one.  Little girls everywhere enjoy having tea parties with their friends.

There are many places which a person can purchase a tea set.  If you are looking for a formal tea set, department stores may not be the place to look.  There are many sites online where you can find a large variety of tea sets.  Todays tea sets come in several different patterns.  Ever since 220 BC, tea sets have been popular and they still are today.