Episodes
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Ep. 21 | Series Recap and Announcement
As Porky Pig used to say, "That's all folks". But only for this Chinese tea history series. There's more coming rest assured. Please stay subscribed so that you won't miss any new episodes. I'm already working on the next episode, one that's guaranteed to please. I thank you all for listening....
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Ep. 20 | Famous China Teas (Part 2)
We continue on with a tour of the provinces, looking at some of the more renowned teas each place has to offer. Teas such as Dancong, Tieguanyin, Jinjunmei, and Da Hong Pao are introduced. Various teas from Guangdong, Guangxi, Guizhou, Jiangsu, Jiangxi, Sichuan, Hubei, and Hunan are discussed.
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Ep. 19 | Famous China Teas (Part 1)
Today's THP episode will go from province to province and look at a variety of famous teas such as Longjing, Gunpowder, Huangshan Maofeng, Lu'an Guapian, Xinyang Maojian, Taiping Houkui and a few others. All of the teas to be introduced began their brilliant careers as tribute teas sent annually…
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Ep. 18 | Pu-Erh Tea
In this episode, we focus on the category of tea that is most admired by many tea experts the world over. Pu-Erh tea was introduced sometime during the Ming Dynasty and in time, became the oft-called "King of Teas" for its rich and unique flavor, wholly unlike any other tea produced in China.
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Ep. 17 | The Secret Gets Out
After enjoying a monopoly that lasted for 45 centuries, China's secrets of how they turned Camellia sinensis leaves into tea are shared with the world (but not by the Chinese). This time we see how the tea seeds, plants, tools, and experts are secreted out of China and successfully brought to the...
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Ep. 16 | The Breakthrough
The hero who ensured Robert Fortune's success, Dr. Nathanial Bagshaw Ward is introduced in this episode. Ward's invention of the terrarium was the one thing that provided the breakthrough for Robert Fortune. We see how Fortune went into China, scored plants and tea seeds from Zhejiang, Anhui and...
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Ep. 15 | A Fortune for the East India Company
The mid 19th Century brought a sea change to the tea industry. Demand continued to grow all over Europe. China's artisanal tea growers and the general unreliability of the China market due to all the well-known political and social disasters happening in China raise concerns. The idea to make a…
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Ep. 14 | Tea and Opium
Midway through the Qing Dynasty trouble is brewing along with the tens of millions of pounds of tea being imported into Britain. The Qianlong Emperor rebuffs Britain's envoy and puts a major damper on the prospects of China trade. Britain finds the perfect commodity to trade for tea, Patna Opium...
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Ep. 13 | Don't Tax My Tea
In this episode we move to the other side of the world to look at some tea history in the British Colonies. The tea trade by now has transformeded into an entire industry and becomes the most important traded commodity of the British East India Company. Twining's emerges onto the scene along with...
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Ep. 12 | Tea-mania Takes Europe by Storm
Europeans were no less enthusiastic about tea than anyone else. It started off with the royals and aristocrats. But once prices came down and the haves and have-nots got to enjoy it, the demand will become insatiable. The Russian tea caravans are also explored. Though their tea culture was...
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Ep. 11 | Europeans Discover Tea
During the late 16th century, the Jesuit Fathers become the first Europeans to drink tea. Soon afterward the Portuguese and Dutch traders start poking their noses around China and Japan. They too learn of this amazing beverage and see excellent prospects in their home markets. By the early 17th...
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Ep. 10 | Yixing Teaware and the Gongfu Tea Ceremony
More Ming Dynasty tea history this time. Further innovations from China's tea artisans further improves the taste and experience of tea. The famous "zisha" clay teapots and tea ware from Yixing, Jiangsu province are introduced as well as their role in the Gongfu Tea Ceremony. As the second half…
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Ep. 9 | The Ming Dynasty Tea Revolution
The epic story continues after the greatest advances ever in tea production and tea culture in the Song. After surviving the Mongol Yuan Dynasty Camellia Sinensis experiences revolutionary improvements with the founding of the Ming Dynasty by Zhu Yuanzhang. Now tea starts to become more familiar…
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Ep. 8 | Ladies and Gentlemen, Oolong Tea
Buddhism continues to embrace tea even further during the Song Dynasty giving rise to the term 茶禪一味 "Tea and Chan Buddhism are one taste." More Huizong, white tea, Japan's Myōan Eisai, and then we'll close with an intro to Wulong (Oolong) Tea and the emergence of the Wuyi Mountains in Fujian...
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Ep. 7 | Tea During the Song Dynasty
No longer is tea a bitter brew sharing a Chinese character with the one used for a bitter vegetable. Royals, officials, scholars, and common people are enjoying tea and writing poems inspired by this beverage that has taken China and Japan by storm. During the Song, tea takes on a new look and...
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Ep. 6 | Camellia Sinensis, Superstar
In the post-Lu Yu world, tea starts to take off like a rocket. It will take a little longer for tea to get the needed traction in Japan but during the Tang, they get to see it and appreciate it up close. We'll also look at one of the early "Tea Persons", the poet and recluse Lu Tong, as well as…
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Ep. 5 | The Classic of Tea
We looked at The Tea Saint, Lu Yu in the last episode. This time we give a once-over to his greatest work, The Cha Jing or Classic of Tea. The national popularity of tea in China really catches fire after Lu Yu shows everyone how to enjoy it, and enjoy life at the same time.
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Ep. 4 | The Sage of Tea: Lu Yu
In this episode, we finally introduce the Tea Saint. What Elvis was to rock n' roll, Lu Yu was to the popularity of tea in Chinese society. Here we'll look at his life and his work, "The Classic of Tea". From here on out, tea is no longer tú, and neither is it bitter.
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Ep. 3 | Tea Hits The Big Time - The Sui, Tang and Tibet
After centuries of trial and error, tea starts to transform from a bitter medicinal brew into something worthy of presenting to the emperor as tribute. Tea's rise during the Sui and Tang are introduced this time. The important role tea played in Tibet and other border regions is also discussed.…
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Ep. 2 | A Bitter Brew In Bronze Age China
Tea's progress as an enjoyable beverage starts to make some headway since Shen Nong's time. But it's still one bitter brew during the Bronze Age centuries. Tea remains a work in progress but showing tremendous promise.
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Ep. 1 | Tea's Ancient Beginnings in China
Welcome to the Tea History Podcast inaugural episode. In this first episode we'll explore tea's humble beginnings in the Ba and Shu States. We'll also look at the mythical story of the discovery of tea by the Divine Farmer, Shen Nong. We have a long way to go.
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Introducing The Tea History Podcast
Laszlo is here with a sort of new podcast show introducing the mythical and historical timeline of one of the most popular beverages in the world. Other than the air we breathe and the water we drink, nothing is consumed in greater quantities than "The China Drink" as it was known in Europe…
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