How tea came to be known as tea
The thing we call a tea would taste just as sweet if we called it by any other name. Tea is one of the most universally recognised words on the planet. Wherever you go, you can drink a cuppa of steaming tea by the use of the words – tè, cha and chai.
In English, at least technically, the word “tea” only refers to Camellia sinensis or C. taliensis, i.e. it’s a beverage commonly prepared by pouring hot or boiling water over cured leaves of the Camellia sinensis. The drink made by infusing these dried leaves or buds in hot water is often served with milk or cream and sugar.
The earliest recordings of tea being consumed date back about 2,000 years ago, in China. Over time the beverage was generally referred to in China as “Cha” (in the Guangzhou, Canton, Hong Kong and Macau regions) or “tè” (in the Fujian region). As tea began being traded to other regions and countries, the name slowly took different forms.
The first reports of tea in Europe emerged via the Portuguese; in 1599.There are also unsubstantiated claims about the abbreviations of tea. Story has it that the Portuguese marked their boxes containing tea with the words “Transporte de Ervas Aromáticas” – which translates to “Transport of Aromatic Herbs” in English. Another story has it that these boxes were labeled “Caixa Hervas Aromáticas”, which when abbreviated reads “Cha”.
You may be surprised to learn that it was a woman from another country entirely that made the drink beloved in Britain back in the day.
Portuguese and Dutch traders technically brought the leaves to England first, but they were only consumed as medicine in the beginning. However, tea was much more popular in Portugal, and at some point around 1515, it was a member of the Portuguese royal family who made the drink famous in England. When the Portuguese king's daughter, Catherine of Braganza, married England's King Charles II in 1662, she included tea in her dowry and her luggage as she moved to join her new husband. Queen Catherine soon spread her love for the drink to British royals and the wealthy, and people started enjoying it instead of drinking it solely for medicinal purposes.
The British copied the entire ritual from China. They imported [Chinese] tiny porcelain tea bowls, the saucers, the dishes for sugar, and the small teapots. However, the British did put their own spin on the drink, which is still a common practice today. They added milk and sugar to counteract the bitterness. Back in the day, this custom may have also been put in place to cool the beverage down and prevent the delicate tea cups from cracking.
“High tea" became popular in England during the 18th and 19th centuries. It was initially associated with the working class and served as a substantial evening meal. Over time, it evolved into a more formal and refined afternoon tea tradition enjoyed by the upper classes.
Certainly! "High tea" originated as a practical meal for the working class during the Industrial Revolution. It was typically eaten between 5:00 and 7:00 PM after a day of labour. The term "high" referred to the tall tables or counters at which the meal was often consumed.
As the years went by, the tradition evolved. During the 19th century, Anna, the Duchess of Bedford, is often credited with popularizing the concept of “Afternoon tea” among the upper classes. This afternoon tea, which included a variety of delicate sandwiches, pastries, and cakes, was intended to curb her hunger between lunch and a late dinner. It became a social event and a way for the upper classes to socialize and display their refinement.
While the terms "High tea" and "Afternoon tea" are sometimes used interchangeably, they actually refer to different meals. "High tea" is more substantial and includes hot dishes, while "Afternoon tea" is the lighter, more elegant version that we associate with tea parties today. So, the popularity of "High tea" transformed from a practical meal for the working class to a sophisticated afternoon ritual among the upper echelons of English society.
Source; External
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