China and Japanese Black Tea - My Tea Article 1

China and Japanese Black Tea

Originally thought to be from China, black tea has become the most popular drink in the world. It shows by the way it is a less expensive alternative to coffee. It is the cheapest drink throughout the world. There are many ways to drink tea. People could drink the tea plain, or they could add sugar, honey, mint, cinnamon, and thyme. Different people could like their tea hot or cold. In making tea, some use powder; some use bags; other use leaves. Many countries produce tea and for some countries making tea is their primary source of economic income. Even though tea is very popular, there seems to be only so much consumed overall. Despite the peak of consumption, tea is very well liked and has been since the discovery by the Chinese.

In the medieval and renaissance period, black tea in context to Chinese history and culture is important. The importance lies with the thought that tea had a healing property and could help a Monk or Priest obtain enlightenment. The Chinese had a very big impact on their Japanese neighbor. For instance, just the introduction of black tea started a cultural revolution. From black tea, there was green tea that helped to start Japan’s tea ceremony. The two cultures had minimum contact is but they had common understanding of the aesthetic nature of tea.

Black tea in the beginning have was thought to have healing properties and came to the attention of the Japanese during the Heian period. Zen Buddhist Monks brought over this black tea into Japan. They had an early tea ceremony for black tea; this was called Matcha. Matcha predates chanoyu (Japanese Tea Ceremony).

A Japanese priest, who studied in China and drank the drink, brought Matcha to Japan. Scholars theorize the priest tired to copy the Chinese ceremony and brought what he learned back with him to Japan.

The first Japanese to have tea in Matcha ceremony was the Emperor during the Heian period. This was the first service of tea to an Emperor at the temple of Omi (Tea in Japan, 5).