Cultures and Religions of the Himalayan Region

Brenda Helleberg
Burncoat High School
Worcester, MA
Horticulture/ Agriculture

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TEA

Camellia sinensis is the plant grown for the popular drink tea. This Chinese bush grows in tropical and subtropical regions. Usually the plants are cultivated at elevations above 5,000 feet, where cooler temperatures improve the flavor of the leaves. Although this plant is native to China Tibet and in the northern part of India there are many other varieties grown throughout the world today.
Tea drinking is believed to originated in China and export began during the Sung Dynasty (960- 1280). Caravans of tea were transported through Tibet in the form of compressed bricks of dried tea leaves. The Tibetan Buddhist monks incorporated tea into their hospitality rituals. People in Tibet drink tea mixed with yak butter. Nepal and India also grows tea.

Tea trade has expanded globally. The most famous American history tea story is probably the Boston Tea Party. It is interesting that at the 1904 World's Fair in St. Louis an English tea merchant trying to promote samples of Indian Tea was unsuccessful until he added ice to it due to the very hot weather. It was a success with fairgoers and in the US today it is estimated that American drink five times as much ice tea as they do hot tea.

To look at tea production click here.