Tea has been a part of our world since 1737 B.C. when, legend says, leaves from a tea bush fell into the boiled drinking water of Shen Nung, the second emperor of China. A part of Asian culture for almost 4,000 years, tea began to find its place in the west in 1635, in the Dutch court. Its popularity spread quickly and had become a favorite European beverage from Russia to the Atlantic coast by the early 18th century. Tea is brewed properly with loose leaf tea and good water at the right temperature. You can obtain excellent teas in shops, by mail order, or by ordering online.
Instructions
Finding Real Tea in America
1. Open your local Yellow Pages and turn to "Tea." Odds are, if you are in a community of any size, there will be merchants listed where you can obtain excellent tea locally.
2. Check with local gourmet coffee sellers. Many of them also carry excellent teas.
3. Do a web search for tea merchants. There are many sellers who will mail you superb teas. Two great sources are Mark T. Wendell and Upton Teas. Both are in Massachusetts, but sell real tea from all over the world.
4. Consult books on tea for more information on tea and sources to obtain it. Classics are Tea Lover's Treasury and New Tea Lover's Treasury, both by James Norwood Pratt. You'll have to dig because both are currently out of print. It is worth the search.
5. Look in your phone book under restaurants and coffee shops. You may find that you have a local tea shop where you can be served tea and accompaniments.
Tags: , Lover Treasury, ,