What is the beginning of America’s tea history?
Tea drink was introduced to Americans when America was still a colony under England’s control. Historians noted that the Dutch settlers in New Amsterdam (now New York) were the first to drink tea in America. Tea gradually moved from New Amsterdam to Massachusetts by the end of 17th century. Then tea was officially sold to the public in 1690.
When New Amsterdam changed its name to New York in 1674, many tea gardens were constructed around the city for people to enjoy. When the supply of tea was low and the demand was high, England increased the tax for tea in America.
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America tea history: How tea become a lucrative business ?
Americans loved tea, but were very angry at the high tax. The famous Boston tea party took place in 1773. America took back its political independence as well as its freedom to trade. America businessmen started to venture into the tea industry in China. By the end of 18th century, Thomas Perkins was the first to initiate America’s tea trading with China. Perkins was a businessman from Boston. He saw a golden as well as lucrative opportunity when more Americans began to drink tea.
Thomas Perkins started building ships that sailed faster than English’s ships. Not only that, his ships could also transport more and heavier tea cargoes from China back to America. No one knew what was it about Perkins but he was able to initiate trade with China without any signed or written contract. It’s amazing how he could manage to exchange large quantity of tea and gold with just verbal promises.
Perkins was right. Tea trading at this time of the tea history was very profitable. Perkins could profit as much as 90 % on each trade. Perkins was not the only one who saw such golden opportunity. Many others also did.
In America tea history: Who is Stephen Girard and how tea made him rich?
One businessman goes by the name Stephen Girard. He originated from Philadelphia. Girard was a very wealthy man. He was believed to help American government in the 1812 war. As the American’s tea trading continued smoothly, Americans was able to acquire not only high quality but also affordable tea.
America tea history: What are the new versions of tea in America?
As tea became a common drink in America, people started to invent new ways to drink tea. The first invention was Iced tea. Richard Blechynden invented it in summer 1904. It was hot and Richard’s tea house did not have any customer. He added ice to make his hot tea cool. His shop later became very successful because of this new invention.
Tea bags is another contribution of Americans to the tea history. The inventor of tea bags was Thomas Sullivan. He had a tea business in New York. He tried to promote his tea by giving out samples. Thomas crushed the whole-leaf tea into tiny bits. He then put into a tiny bag with lots of little holes. Although whole-leaf tea is higher quality and can preserve the taste and all of the essence of tea, crushed tea leaves are thought of lower quality, but it’s convenient as taste samples.