Like all young men, you greatly exaggerate the difference between one young woman and another. -- George Bernard Shaw, "Major Barbara"
Tea for Two
You can taste and feel, but not describe the exquisite state of response produced by tea; that precious drink which drives away the five causes of sorrow.
According to Chinese legend the mythical Emperor Shen-Nung in around 2500 BC accidentally discovered tea when the wind blew some tealeaves into a pot of water he was boiling to drink. The Emperor liked the flavor of these boiled leaves and tea as a drink was born.Tea did not become a common beverage until around 6oo AD.
Tea ceremonies began as a means of achieving spiritual enlightenment, Buddhist priests in Japan considered tea drinking a holy sacrament; therefore tea drinking was considered a religious act.
Drinking tea was sacred and considered an essential part of maintaining harmony in ones life. In one myth a hermit kept falling asleep during meditation, he eventually became so enraged by this he ripped off his eye lids ant threw them to the ground. A God witnessed this and turned his eyelids into tea and gave it to him to drink. The hermit drank this and rejoiced, as he never fell asleep while meditating again.
Although the English were the ones to make tea drinking famous, tea did not reach England until 1645. Imported at exorbitant prices from Holland King Charles 11 helped make tea fashionable among the aristocracy in the 1660's when he married the Portuguese princess whose dowry included a wealth of the now precious commodity.
By the 1670's the East India Company was the largest importers of tea, not just to England but the Americas as well. Taxes were so high that fake teas were being smuggled via the black markets. The Boston tea party of 1773 was an example of the rebellion against this astronomical taxation.
The aristocracy was not affected and tea drinking usurped coffee in popularity in 1740. English potters began producing elaborate yet delicate tea services as the ladies of nobility were judged by the quality of their teas.
The high tea began simply, one day a grand duchess requested her tea be accompanied with breads and cakes around four one afternoon as the normal time for dinner was at nine PM. This was to hold her over until then. The custom caught on with her friend and high tea became a tradition. The low tea is simply a tea at two p.m. The old Chinese secret to a perfect cup of tea is the purity of the water.
Today tea has regained its popularity and teahouses have emerged all over the world. These eclectic little meeting places are quite different than the coffeehouses. The teahouse is quieting serene and peaceful, decorated in oriental motiff. With trickling fountains, bamboo, soft colors and mats on the floor instead of chairs. Tea drinking has and is considered an act of purification. I personally tend to agree with this philosophy.
Medical science has proven tea lowers blood pressure and calms the nerves. One study suggests green tea can help one lose weight. There are a tremendous amount of claims about teas anti oxidants and cleansing affects. Green tea is not superior to black tea; all teas contain identical chemical make-ups. Black teas are fermented where as green teas are not. The Hilltop market in Waldport carries a great assortment of bulk teas and bulk spices so you can be creative, so experiment and have fun with it. I found a recipe for little tea sandwiches for Rick and I that are delicate and refreshing.
Cucumber and Bay Shrimp Tea Sandwiche
One medium size peeled and shredded cucumber. Drain excess water from cucumber. 1and 1/2 pound Tiny Bay Shrimp 2 TBSP. Sour cream 3 finely chopped green onions White pepper and salt to taste
Your choice of bread Mix together and make sandwiches
Enjoy!
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