Speaker for Tuesday 7th October 2014 - Mr. Tony Bareham
Talk by Tony Bareham on 'The Story of Tea'
Club President Gordon Ward welcomed members and guest, Christine Turner, to the meeting. The President then went on to introduce our speaker for the morning Mr. Tony Bareham, who told the very interesting 'Story of Tea', illustrated by some photographs and drawings in a PowerPoint presentation.
Tony began his talk by explaining that he was not an expert on tea, but his passion for drinking it had naturally led him to doing a little research on how it became so popular and what it's history is. As Tony had spent nearly all his working life within English Literature (which he taught at the University of Ulster), he naturally wanted to start the tea story with some literary quotes. The quotes ranged from a Chinese poet from several centuries BC, through Alexander Pope in the 18th Century and a popular music hall song.
Tony then went on to chart the development of Tea in the UK from its humble origins as an incidental brought in from China by sea going adventurers, to the national drink of the country that it is today. The story encompassed the expansion of our sea trade routes, the establishment of the 'East India Company' and the extraordinary story of Robert Fortune and is adventures in China (for more information see:- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Fortune - and:- http://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/the-great-british-tea-heist-9866709/?no-ist).
The First Tea plant introduced into India (smuggled from China) was 'Camellia Sinesis' (above). From this nearly all modern varieties of tea are descended. The Assam and Kashmir areas of India were found to be ideal growing territory - but the terrain was and is, hardly easy to collecting the crop.
Tony then went on to show slides of various types of tea and to explain how tea was processed and produced. Around 76% of teas are 'Black' and 24% 'Green' (which contain more health giving properties). Adding milk to tea was only introduced in the late 18th Century, fortunately this doesn't interfere with the health quality of the tea, unlike sugar!
The story of how tea was produced and transported to the UK could be another whole talk on it's own. For instance the development of the Indian Hill Railways and the famous Tea Clippers like the 'Cutty Sark'. These ships were all very dangerous, unstable, sank easily (that's why so few are left), but were very fast - getting the tea to England from halfway around the world in it's best condition needed a speedy craft. (For more 'Tea' photos, just 'click' the photo below)
Of all the teas produced 'White Tea' is considered to be the finest, and only the very tips of the plants are used. In Tony's opinion the worst tea is the 'Tea Bag' tea, as it seems to be collected from the sweepings of the tea room floor.
Tony rounded off his talk by reflecting on the satisfying 'ritual' of brewing and serving a pot of real leaf tea. This is something the 'Tea Shops', which originated in the 1850s, tried to capture (and still try?) - again this could also be another talk in its own right.
A short question and answer session followed:- 'You said that tea was produced from the tips and leaves?' - Yes, only the very tip and the next two leaves are used from each branch of the bush - that's why it has to be hand picked. 'In processing you mentioned 'Oxidation?' - That is the process that brings out the health 'Anti Oxidants' and the beneficial properties of the tea. 'Is Coffee taking over as most popular?' - There seems to be a current interest that way*, but tea is still holding its own.
A vote of thanks was proposed by Ian Scott, who said he always would say that he didn't like tea, but then realised that he really couldn't start the day without a cup. He tanked Tony for an enjoyable, fascinating and interesting talk. The thanks were passed on by the President, and the members showed their appreciation.
Mike Turner - Secretary
To find out more about Tea, its history and its varieties, click on these links:
http://www.tea.co.uk/history-of-tea
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_tea
http://www.teagschwendner.com/US/en/tea_tradition.TG?activeID=1680&parent_id=
Or just take a look at the varieties of Tea this merchant can supply:-
http://shop.tgtea.com/Black-Tea-Assam/
