History of Tea : Assam tea (part-01)

History of Tea: Assam Tea, Part-01

• China: “Ch’a / tea” is the symbol of the country’s history and culture.

Somewhere in China, Emperor Shen Nung (in 2732 B.C) discovered wild tea and its taste. And Shen Nung immediately/gradually interested in the scent and refreshment. He named it and used to call the brew as “ch’a”. In 200 B.C a Han Dynasty Emperor ruled that the written character must be pronounced as “ch’a”. So, that “ch’a” symbolized and brought humankind into balance with the mother nature and Chinese culture.

Tea became an integral part of Chinese culture and tradition. Therefore, “ch’a/tea, became valued for day to day life to all for refreshment and pleasure.

The invention of Black tea

In 17^th century A.D, all Chinese tea was: Green tea. As foreign trade increased and its value, they discovered the fermentation process. Black tea kept its flavour and aroma for longer times than the Green tea does.

History of Tea in Japan:

•   In 1300s tea became an integral part of Japanese society.
•   Sacred Japanese tea ceremony ‘Chanoyu’ evolved in the 15^th century.
•  Japanese Buddhist Monk ‘Dengyo Daishi’ bringing Chinese Tea seeds to Japan.

In 9^th century Japanese visitors to China and introduced with Tea cultures and its values. In 1300s tea became an integral part of Japanese society. Japanese Buddhist Monk ‘Dengyo Daishi’ bringing Chinese Tea seeds to Japan. Tea used in Japanese tea ceremony ‘Chanoyu’ made by whisking water into potent ground green tea called ‘Matcha’. Unlike other’s, the Japanese preferred the fresh and green flavours of ‘Matcha’.  Nowadays in Japan, Tea is served with every meal and used to greet every guest.

Europe’s Tea history:

• British categorized tea as ‘Afternoon Tea and High Tea’.
•  Tea as an imported precious luxury thing.
• Only the wealthy and higher class could afford it.
• In 18^th century English and Dutch families had paintings made of the family having tea.

History of tea in Assam:

• Second commercial Tea production region after southern China.
• 1823 Robert Bruce discovered Tea.
• 1832 East India Company started to commercialization and cultivation of ‘Assam Tea’.
• Assam Tea Company formed in 1839.
• Produces 15.6% all over the worlds and 55% of India’s tea output.
• Famous for Black Tea production.
• The plant identified as “Camellia sinensis var assamica”.

     Presently, more than 900 Tea gardens found in Assam. ( Dibrugarh, Jorhat, Sonitpur, Sivasagar, Darrang and Nagaon).

In 1823 Robert Bruce discovered tea plants in Assam’s forests area. Maniram Dewan directed him to the local ‘Singpho’ peoples ‘Chief Basa Gam’. One of the world’s largest Tea selling and growing region. Tea is an integral part of Assam and its people’s. 1832 East India Company started the commercialization and cultivation of Assam Tea. And later in 1844, this garden was sold to ‘Assam Tea Company’(Formed in 1839). Assam Tea manufactured from the plant called ‘Camellia sinensis var’. The famous Chinese varieties of tea did not succeed on Assam’s soil. Assam produces a large amount of Black Tea in comparison to Green Tea. Assam Tea can be classified into three categories, such as Black Tea or Fermented tea, Green Tea or unfermented Tea, Oolong Tea or De-fermented Tea.

History of Tea: Assam tea to be continued...

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