HSN308 Assessment Task 1: A Report on Tea's History and Influences

This report examines the history of tea, tracing its origins in China and its evolution into a globally consumed beverage. It details the cultural significance of tea, including its role in rituals, ceremonies, and social gatherings across different cultures. The report discusses the various types of tea, their production methods, and the factors that influence consumption patterns. It also explores the health benefits and controversies associated with tea, as well as the impact of modern influences on its production and consumption. The report concludes by summarizing the key findings and emphasizing the enduring importance of tea in human society and culture.

RUNNING HEAD: TEA THROUGH THE AGES 1
Tea through the Ages
Students Name
Institution Affiliation

TEA THROUGH THE AGES 2
Introduction
Tea is an aromatic stimulant that contains different caffeine, polyphenols and essential
oils. (4)Tea is brewed from dried leaves of camellia Sinensis a native plant of Southeast Asia.
Globally, tea is a well-recognised drink and is the second most consumed beverage after water.
Tea has been cultivated for decades, and its leaves utilised in healing purposes. (3)The drink has
polyphenolic compounds that are linked to the prevention of cardiovascular diseases, anti-
ageing, anti-diabetic, among other beneficial effects. This essay will explain and critique
historical and modern influences of tea.
The historical context of tea
Tea is the oldest most consumed non-alcoholic caffeine drink that traces its origin in
China. The beverage is prepared by steeping of processed leaves of tree Camellia Sinensis, and
the most consumed tea includes black, green, oolong all derived from the same plant. (6)In Asian
countries, green tea and oolong are the most widely consumed, whereas black tea is commonly
consumed in India and western states.
Chinese mythology attributes the revelation to an accident. Tracing its origin in the
South-west of China in the province of Sichuan and Yunnan, tea was identified by Shennong.
According to the discovery of Shennong, he was relaxing under a camellia bush tree while
boiling drinking water. Dry leaves from the plant dropped into the steaming water and infused
with the water producing a pot of tea. Shennong was intrigued by the delightful smell of the
product, and after taking a sip, he found it refreshing, since then tea has been produced and
enjoyed globally.

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(7)Tea was used for ceremonial offerings, and the leaves were eaten as vegetables or used
as medicine. Before the Han dynasty (202-220), tea was a new drink. Infusion of habitual tea
drinking culture in China, however, spread to other parts of China in the eighth century as the
tea-drinking culture was tied with Buddhist thoughts. (2,1)Consequently, alcohol consumption
was reduced due to Buddha's attitudes, besides to the caution on the risks brought about by
intoxication. (4,5)Consumption of the beverage, therefore quickly spread from the Buddhist
monks to the literati and finally to the wider population. Tea began to replace alcohol in ritual
events, including, offering to divinities and the deceased.
In the early years, the beverage was prepared from boiling of garden-fresh leaves in
water; however, in the Tang Reign (618-907), the drink was made in the form of dry tea cakes
that were cooked and crushed before being fermented in boiling water. (5) In other cases the
action of drying the leaves permitted transportation and storage of the beverage as customer
merchandise. In the Ming Reign (1368-1644) the drinking of tea started to resemble what is seen
currently, dry leaves tea soaked in hot water. In the Ming Reign, there was an increase in
intellectual fascination with the beverage. (9)Connoisseur’s extolled the refined variances in
luxury tea, which gained high prices for their scarcity or region of origin. Monks produced most
of the well-known tea in the mountain areas close to the monasteries with the access of quality
spring water. (3)At the same time, the Chinese Buddhist monastics advanced the shared tea
rituals that were accompanied by the burning of incense. To date, tea still plays an essential role
in Chinese culture. The beverage is consumed in meals, and it is a communal culture to offer the
drink to visitors.

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Influences on tea consumption
Tea is a historical pillar to many people, mainly in china; however, the beverage has also
be linked to different controversies in the Morden days. Research indicates that too much
consumption of the beverage leads worsening of depression and anxiety symptoms.
(2)Additionally, the use of the beverage in high amounts is associated with delayed foetal growth
and pregnancy loss.
Global tea production has significantly increased attributed to the increase in the major
tea producing countries. However, China remains the highest tea producer accounting for more
than 38% of the total tea produced globally. (5)Tea consumption has evolved to the current
popular custom of purchasing the beverage in tea bags which incidentally came to existence in
1908 by accident. (3)Global teas consumption increased in 2013 and was underpinned by the
rapid growth in income levels in China and other emerging economies.
Tea is considered a luxury product and has defined different origins civilisation and is
sought after by various people who have a taste of its stimulating effect. (6)Diverse cultures
value the beverage for its therapeutic attributes; however, with time, people in the 21st century
enjoy the beverage for general pleasure and stimulation it provides. The drink has played an
essential role in the creation of the Chinese individuality, which has also been embraced by other
countries.
The art of tea consumption has been passed on through generations and also diffused to
the west and across many continents. (8)Tea has been adapted by diverse cultures and regions
around the world in their societal norms. Some norms related to tea drinking have been
developed in the modern-day, including evening tea and high tea in British with many adopting

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the trend as they try to associate with the contemporary trends. The beverage is consumed in
communal occasions, and some cultures have developed convoluted formal rituals for these
occasions.
Tea is an essential natural health beverage around the world. Scientific contributes
regarding the drink have made the product important to human. (6)The product has proven
medicinal value and has cultural ties to some communities, mainly in China. (1)The beverage is
affordable compared to other drinks that are of low value to the health of human beings.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the paper has discussed the origin of history and culture attributed to the
drinking and production of tea and, how the cultivation of the product has increased over time.
Different benefits of the beverage have been highlighted in the paper in addition to controversy
related to coffee consumption. The paper has also discussed the influences of tea consumption at
different levels and its contribution to different cultural orientation.

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References
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editors. Firefly Books; 2018.
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world 2004 Feb 18 (pp. 133-148). Routledge.
5. Khan N, Mukhtar H. Tea and health: studies in humans. Current pharmaceutical design.
2013 Oct 1;19(34):6141-7.
6. Lepore J. The whites of their eyes: the Tea Party's revolution and the battle over
American history. Princeton University Press; 2011 Aug 8.
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8. Sigley G. Tea and China’s rise: tea, nationalism and culture in the 21st century.
International Communication of Chinese Culture. 2015 Dec 1;2(3):319-41.
9. Soni RP, Katoch M, Kumar A, Ladohiya R, Verma P. Tea: Production, Composition,
Consumption and it's Potential an Antioxidant and Antimicrobial Agent. International
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