The Romance of Tea - Ukers and Pratt

THE ROMANCE OF TEA

Tea & Tea Drinking Through Sixteen Hundred Years

By William H. Ukers
Annotated by James Norwood Pratt
Edited by Bruce Richardson
Published by Benjamin Press
ISBN 9780983610694
Illustrated, 208 pages


William  Ukers was the founding editor of the Tea & Coffee Trade Journal. He spent a lifetime studying the fascinating history of tea - its origins, manufacture and influence, and the rise of its popularity in every part of the world.

In his original 1936 work, he describes the legendary and true origins of tea, the spread of its use as a beverage, the romantic trade that grew up around it, its introduction to Europe, and the changes it brought about in European social and economic life. Ukers concluded with the numerous tributes to tea which occur in literature, art, and music.

America's tea sage James Norwood Pratt now introduces a new generation of teaists to this legendary tea pioneer with this annotated and expanded edition of Uker's original text. A manuscript that is sure to delight anyone whose daily life is infused with the ritual of tea.

CONTENTS

INTRODUCTION - James Norwood Pratt

 

I   ­The Genesis of Tea

Its legendary origin and etymology. Early history of tea propagation. The first book on tea;

Lu Yu and his Tea Classic. Its botany. Mother Nature’s tea garden. The legend of Daruma,

Buddhism’s patron saint of tea. Its culture spread by Buddhist priests.

 

II   Tea’s Conquest of the Orient

The thrilling adventures of J. I. L. L. Jacobson, founder of the tea industry in Netherlands India. The far-flung kingdom of India tea. Tea’s dramatic triumph over coffee in Ceylon.

 

III  Tea Comes to Europe and America

Its introduction into Holland, France, and England. The story of the colonial tea

parties and the tea tax that divided an empire.

 

IV  Ships in Azure

The world’s greatest tea monopoly. The golden age of the tea clippers. The great tea race of 1866.

 

V  How Tea Grows and How It is Manufactured

Tea Gardens of China, Japan, Formosa, Java, Sumatra, Ceylon, India and Africa.

 

VI   Tea Manners and Customs

The social history of tea. The art and practice of Chanoyu. London tea gardens of the

eighteenth century. Tea drinking round the world.

 

VII  Tea and the Fine Arts

How tea has been celebrated in painting, ceramics, silver, music, poetry, and literature.

 

VIII   The Shining Hour of the Day

Teatime reflections. Chemistry and pharmacology of tea.

TIMELINE OF TEA HISTORY

* * * * *

“William Ukers’ tale of how humanity acquired its favorite habit first attracts us, then absorbs us and casts a spell over us and teaches us,” said Pratt. “He regales us, in his quaint way and measured tones, with a little known epic romance — how the whole world learned to love drinking tea.” Ukers was the founding editor of the Tea & Coffee Trade Journal. He spent a lifetime studying the fascinating history of tea — its origins, manufacture and influence, and the spread of its popularity to every part of the world.

This is the classic account of the legendary and true origins of tea, its widening use as a beverage, the romantic trade that grew up around it, its introduction to Europe, and the changes it brought about in social and economic life around the world. Ukers goes on to highlight the numerous tributes to tea that occur throughout literature, art, and music.

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