The Tea Phenomenon: Rituals and Stereotypes
The
tea craze triggered modern rituals of purchasing and consuming the beverage.
Whether tea is hot or cold, it is consumed by the masses. Starbucks in opening
Chi tea stores to keep up with this craze. Health conscious stereotypes
worldwide have been drinking tea for centuries.
Theories
about the origin of tea are often religious or royal in nature. Tea has been
known to be a customary drink of the Asian culture for eras. The drink has been
a curative and status symbol is Asia. Emperors are said to
have used tea as an antidote for many illnesses (Wikepedia,
2012).
Tea
was introduced to the Japanese by Buddhist Monks in the sixth century. Tea
became the drink of the religious classes in Japan. The Tea Ceremony of Japan was introduced from
China by Buddhists as a semi-religious social custom. The modern tea ceremony
developed further over the following generations
(Japanese Tea Ceremony, 2011).
The
religious theories surrounding tea have sparked rituals in countries all over
the world. These rituals describe an iconic drink with therapeutic and intangible
effects. Early tea drinkers were thought to obtain spiritual essence from tea (Japanese Tea Ceremony, 2011).
The United Kingdom was the first to
commercialize tea as a commodity. Tea was initially promoted as a medicinal
beverage or tonic. By 1750, tea had become known as the countries national
drink. Tea became a trading commodity to
the United Kingdom for fabrics that were sold in India and China. China and
India would trade tea to Britain in exchange for fabric and tapestry. This act was eventually stopped by China.
China decided to trade tea only for silver bullion (Wikepedia, 2012).
The theories of tea as a medicinal and
spiritual drink have been spoken for centuries in Asian communities. Today, modern
research has proven the tea theory and studies agree with the numerous health benefits
(Wikepedia, 2012).
Tea has been used in commerce for generations.
The United Kingdom began exploiting tea as a commodity. The importing and
selling of tea as a commodity removed the religious theory and motivated the
commerce theory of tea (Wikepedia, 2012).
I have gained an understanding of how
tea has become a phenomenon through its rituals and stereo types. Tea started
with a spiritual and medicinal following. This was later exploited and
commercialized by the British.
In modern society, tea is returning to
its medicinal roots. Research has shown tea to have many health benefits. The renewal
of interest in the medicinal properties of tea has helped bring this drink back
to its long time iconic standing.
I love that something as simple as tea gained such pomp and circumstance in the ceremony of High Tea. They serve High Tea at the Ritz Carlton in Cleveland and I have always wanted to put on my suit, hat and gloves and partake.
ReplyDeleteI have taken part in a Japanese tea ceremony, but it is kind of disgusting, since everyone drinks from a shared bowl. There is so much ritual involved--from the way the flowers are arranged to the clothing and what is recited after each drink. It was very interesting.