Self proclaimed tea geek, Shunan Teng’s knowledge of her chosen subject extends well beyond the proper way to serve and prepare her best-loved beverage.
Her recent TED-Ed lesson on the History of Tea, above, hints at centuries of bloodshed and mercenary trade practices, discreetly masked by Steff Lee’s benign animation.
Addiction, war, and child labor—the last, a grim ongoing reality…. Meditate on that the next time you’re enjoying a nice cup of Darjeeling, or better yet, matcha, a preparation whose Western buzz is starting to approximate that of the Tang dynasty.
Even die-hard coffee loyalists with little patience for the ritualistic niceties of tea culture can indulge in some fascinating trivia, from the invention of the clipper ship to the possible health benefits of eating rather than drinking those green leaves.
Test your TQ post-lesson with TED-Ed’s quiz, or this one from Tea Drunk, Teng’s authentic Manhattan tea house.
Related Content:
George Orwell Explains How to Make a Proper Cup of Tea
10 Golden Rules for Making the Perfect Cup of Tea (1941)
“The Virtues of Coffee” Explained in 1690 Ad: The Cure for Lethargy, Scurvy, Dropsy, Gout & More
Ayun Halliday is an author, illustrator, theater maker and Chief Primatologist of the East Village Inky zine. She’ll be appearing onstage in New York City this June as one of the clowns in Paul David Young’s Faust 3. Follow her @AyunHalliday.
Thank You for such information. I really like the video through which you have informed us.
TeaSwan Offers High Quality And Purest Flavors Of Teas. Our Each Tea Purchase Comes With Organically And Ethically Grown Teas, Carefully Blended To Create The Perfect Cup.
I really liked the information you have presented through this video. Thank you for sharing.
Thank you for sharing this amazing article. I really liked the way you have presented this article.
Thank you this great article through which you have shared this amazing information.
I really liked the way you have presented this article. Thank you for sharing this wonderful article.
This was a wonderful article. I really liked your way of presenting this article.