A brief history of tea:

Our summer teas have come to an end and the North America Railway Hall of Fame would like to thank everyone for joining us. We would also like to thank those in the community who generously donated items to make our teas a success. Tea at the station is all about the experience. Delicate cups and saucers made from ornate bone china, tea towels, a beautifully set table with flower arrangements, and desserts are all important elements to the tea drinking experience. High tea is usually served at 2pm and is very much a social occasion, but what are the origins of this tradition?

History credits the discovery of tea to Shen Nung, the second emperor of China who discovered tea when tea leaves blew into his cup of hot water. It wasn’t until 1589, that Europeans learned of tea drinking when a Venetian author sites tea as the source of Asian vitality. Tea drinking really took hold in Western society in about 1650. This is the time period when tea parties became popular among women. I was shocked to learn of the cost of tea in early trade. In the 1600’s tea sold for 80-100 dollars per pound! In 1662, Charles II introduced tea drinking to Queen Catherine Braganza and tea became so popular, that alcohol consumption dropped. By the 1800’s the East India Trading Company supplied Britain with more than 9 million cups of tea per year and tea was the most popular beverage among the colonies. We loved hosting tea for you at the station and we hope to see you again next year.

Melissa Darnell
Published in the North America Railway Hall of Fame Fall Newsletter