Premium Tea: The Exotic Drink
We know the British are madly fond of tea but do you know why so many people love this exotic drink? Although premium tea is a loved drink in Brittain, its origin comes from China and its popularity only blew up in Europe after Portuguese royalty turned it into a trend. As a wealthy drink, even though it is accessible nowadays, the drink still has a sumptuous vibe.
The Story
This story goes way back and takes place in a very distant location, China. We can not know for sure, but there is a legend that tells that in 2737 BC, Shen Nung, a Chinese emperor, was drinking boiled water under a Camellia tree when some leaf fell on his cup creating an infusion.
It’s impossible to know if this story happened but what we know is that we have traces of the beverage going back to the Han Dynasty (206 BC – 220 AD).
The Favorite Drink
During the Tang Dynasty (618-906 AD), tea became so popular that it got the title of “national drink of China”. It was around this time this exotic drink also got popular in Japan. It was also during this Dynasty that the first book about tea was written.
Europe was also lured to this beverage at the end of the 16th century. There are some records of Portuguese who used to work as traders or missionaries and that used to drink tea. But it was the Dutch who commercialized the tea first. By the next century, other European countries were also into the “trend” although tea was part of very expensive goods.
The British
It was Catherine Of Braganza who popularized the drink. Although it was already present in the country, people didn’t seem that attracted.
Catharine married Charles II and as a complete tea addict, she established it as a fashionable drink. The trend started in the court and then spread to the wealthy classes. East India, noticing an increase in the British consumption of tea, decided to import Chinese tea to Britons.
The Trend
Everyone was so into tea drinking that people started getting creative to smuggle tea leaves since they were so expensive due to taxation. It was only in 1784 that the Prime Minister realized it was not productive to keep people consuming by illegal means. Also, they had to consider product quality that through illegal ways had no control over. You could even find dry leaves after already being infused and being sold as new ones. Or any sort of substance that would help the tea get its original color so people wouldn’t suspect it.
To know more about important beverages’ history, you can visit our article: “The Exquisite Experience Of Gourmet Coffee” and read more about coffee and its history.
Guarantee Your Exotic’s Premium Tea Quality
When drinking tea, you’ll want to have the best experience possible. With that in mind, you need to pay close attention to some details that grant you a luxurious experience while drinking your tea.
The look of the leaf is important. regardless of the processing style adopted, the leaf should look like small leaves. You should avoid woody fragments or leaves that look crumbly and when steeped, it should unfurl slowly.
The touch of the leaves is also important. You should be able to feel a certain heft in your hand. If it’s too light, it may be because they’re too dry or old.
The smell is also very important. It should be very distinct. Each type of tea has its smell. Green tea smells grassy while black tea should smell floral and earthy.
Last but not least, the taste is also essential. Green tea has a very strong taste. It also should taste smooth and refreshing. On the other hand, black tea should have a deep intense taste. Excellent tea will activate different flavor sensations on your tongue as you drink.
Other drinks also need close attention when consumed so you can take the best out of them. You can check, for example, our article about champagne to know more about this luxurious drink. Visit: “Why Is Champagne So Special?” to know more.
Top Premium Tea
This exotic drink can be considered even more special when we talk about premium tea. When talking about tea, premium usually means loose leaf, handmade, special types, special processes and techniques, organic tea, and tea grown in unique locations.
Premium tea should be pleasant. It should look beautiful and smell and taste delicious. It usually contains rare ingredients and at least two infusions.
Here are some examples of premium tea:
Matcha Tea: A very special tea. The leaves are shaded before harvesting. There is a whole cleaning process to remove stalks and veins and in the end, there is only a delicate leaf flake. The flakes will be grounded and will become the famous powder. It costs around $1 per gram.
2nd flush Darjeeling tea: The tea from the legend. Darjeeling tea is a black Indian tea that comes from Camellia Sinensis. The second flush contains sweet leather and walnut note in scent. There is a debate about whether the first or the second flush is considered the best, but both are exquisite.
Tieguanyin Tea: The second most expensive tea in the world, this tea costs around $2,711.00 per kilogram. It is a Chinese tea from Fujian province. It’s been around since the 19th century. It is known for its floral and fruity notes, besides its healthy aspect. It contains vitamins minerals and much more that can help improve your immune system.
Da-Hong Pao: The most expensive tea in the world. It costs around $2,152.00 per gram. This Oolong tea is so special it is considered the holy grail of teas. Its making process is kept a secret by Chinese people who have the privilege to know about it.
The Exotic Drink In Las Vegas
If you’d like to have a complete tea party in the afternoon as the British do, you can find the perfect spot in Vegas. Visit Coffee Religion for an exquisite service. Reservation is required but for $35.00 you will have high service provided. You can also check LaPostté, which has an amazing tea service every afternoon with several options of tea and pastries.
But, whenever you decide to go, don’t forget to rent chauffeured ground transportation with Vegas VIP Limo. We will take you to your afternoon tea with comfort and with British punctuality.