Western Tea History

Western tea history: Who first introduced tea to Europe?

In 1560, a Persian merchant – named Ramusio, who had visited China during his business trip, wrote a book about his journey. It was named Voyages and Travels. In this book, Ramusio included lots of information about tea as a medicinal drink of the East. This was the first tea book in introduced to the West in the tea history.


Western tea history: Who first transported tea from East to West?

The demand for tea increased as its popularity continues to grow. But because the weather and the conditions in the West aren’t suitable to cultivate tea, Western people had to reply on China and Japan to supply the tea.

That means Europeans must think of a way to transport tea from Asia back to Europe in a timely manner. By 16th century, the Portuguese were the first to transport tea by sea from China.
During the tea history, the Portuguese’s newly-found way of transportation proved to be very profitable. Because the Portuguese were able to transport such large load of tea in efficient way, they were able to lower the price of tea. Thus Venetian merchants started to lose business.

Western tea history: Problems with the Chinese in trading?

Although the Chinese were hesitant to trade with the West, the tremendous profit from the tea industry outweighed the cost.

In the middle of 16th century, the Chinese government set up a trading center on the island of Macao in the Canton River. This trading center was placed far away from China mainland to avoid any surprise attack from the West. Religious missionaries played an important part in the tea history. They were the pioneers in introducing tea to the West.

Western tea history: What is the famous trading place for tea in the west

During the time when Asian countries and European countries established commodity trading, Venice was a famous trading place in the tea history. Goods from Asia were transported to Venice to be traded with commodities of the West. Tea and tea accessories became fascinating objects for Western merchants.

What is the connection between religion and tea?

One example was Father Gasper da Cruz, who visited China in 1560, came back and was utterly fascinated by the bitter yet beneficial drink of the East. Another missionary was Father Matteo Ricci, who came to China in 1598. Father Matteo was amazed by the benefits of this drink. He sent home a journal with countless information about the green tea drink.

Tea shipping to Europe began to increase significantly. In the beginning of 17 century, the Dutch East India Company was established and became prominent in the tea industry. Optimistic as it seemed, during this time of the tea history until the end of 17th century, only social elites could afford tea. Tea was still unknown to the majority of people.

How teas become the drink of working-class people?

But as the tea industry proved to be extremely lucrative, larger and heavier loads of tea were carried to the West. As the supply surged, the price slowly declined. Common people were able to afford tea. Tea quickly spread throughout Europe without brake.

As tea drinking became more sophisticated in the West, the demand for tea accessories such as silk, porcelain cups and tea pots also climbed up. Further more, several European countries started to develop their own tea rituals and ceremonies. England was the one stand out in the tea history.

Western tea history: what is the conflict between giant tea companies?

Tea was integrated deeply into Englishmen’s way of life that it finally becomes the symbol of England. In 1600, British East India Company emerged to handle the England’s tea business in China. But there was fierce competition between the Dutch and the British East India Company. They constantly competed for territories and suppliers.

Unlike the Dutch company, the British company was in a quarrel with the Chinese government over trading policies. After the British East India Company lost its prominent place in China’s tea industry it turned to India for tea supply.

In the tea history of the West, tea was first sold to the public in England in 1657 at Garway’s Coffee House. The business was very successful for the sellers knew how to stress on the health benefits of tea. Due to the high demand of this wonderful drink, tea was gradually added to the menus of most of coffee and tea houses throughout England.

Western tea history: What part did the royal family play in bringing tea to the West?

In the middle of 17th century, King Charles II married a Portuguese princess, Catherine of Braganza. Because of the Portuguese’s obsession with tea, Catherine brought some of that passion to England.
By 1684, England was able to secure a tea factory in Canton. 5 years later, the first ship- The princess, transported tea directly from this factory back to England. When tea was well-known to the English people, it also began its journey to Scotland, Ireland, Holland, Germany, and France. But in Germany and France, tea still couldn’t compete with beers and red wine.