An enchanting story maintains that in 2737 B.C. Chinese Emperor Shen Nung
discovered tea when dried leaves blew into his cup of hot water. That legendary discovery would forever alter the world’s drinking habits.

After the Emperor’s discovery, tea became widely popular in China. (Time
period?) By the 16th century the Japanese had elevated tea drinking to a polished art form. European explorers were delighted to “discover” tea and adopt it and companies like the East India Trading Company wisely began trading tea. At the price of $100 per pound, tea consumption was limited to the rich. However, over time, so much tea was imported that the price fell
and it became more widely available. Tea mania swept across England as it had earlier spread throughout France and Holland. Importation levels rose from 40,000 pounds in 1699 to an annual average of 240,000 pounds less than 10 years later in 1708.

In the eighteenth-century home, tea drinking was an occasion of great ceremony.

The precious tea leaves were kept in a locked caddy, for which there was only ever one key. Once or twice a week, the lady of the house would unlock the caddy to serve tea as a family treat, or to impress an important guest.

Over time two distinct forms of tea service evolved: "Low" Tea or Afternoon
Tea (served at low tables on dainty dishes in the parlour) was served in aristocratic homes of the wealthy and featured gourmet tidbits rather than a solid meal. The emphasis was on presentation and conversation. This is the elegant tea we often picture being served on the finest dishes to ladies ‘paying calls’.

"High" Tea or "Meat” Tea" became the main meal of the day for labourers who often missed lunch and afternoon tea. It consisted of bread and cheese as well as dinner items such as roast beef, mashed potatoes and of course, tea and was served at the ‘high’ or main table.

Tea influenced the social activities of those who drank it. Tea itself became an occasion. Parties were planned around its consumption called “tea gardens.” These outdoor parties included tea, delicious foods, gambling and sometimes fireworks.

In 1650, Tea arrived in the New World, although it didn’t make it to Canada until 1716. Again it became quite a popular drink - North Americans were drinking more tea than those in England and this consumption sparked a political event known as the Boston Tea Party.

Around this time England levied a huge tax on tea being imported to the
colonies in an attempt to recover expenses from the French and Indian War. They mistakenly believed the colonists were so hooked on it they'd pay anything to keep their supply coming in. But the independent colonists proved them wrong when one night men disguised as Indians, went
aboard docked ships and threw the expensive tea cargo into the harbor. England reacted badly, closing Boston's port and sending troops in to occupy the city. Because of this and other grievances against the King, the colonists declared a revolution.

Revolution or no… the King Township Museum will host our annual Garden Tea on July 13th, 2008 from 12 to 2:30pm. We invite all of the community to this charming event served in our historic building! The cost is $7 per person and includes luncheon, dessert and, of course, tea!