Once upon a time, many stories begin such as this. This
isn't just a story, it is true. We sit
enchanted by the story of horses and tea.
For centuries, continuing until the 1960's, there was a Tea Horse Road,
much like the Silk Road so many of us have heard about. This was for the trade of tea for
horses. China desperately wanted the
horses of Tibet and Tibet wanted tea.
Porters, both men and women, carried 150-200 pounds, sometimes more, of tea
bricks from the Yunnan Province in China to Tibet along treacherous mountain
roads. The road was south of the Silk
Road and traveled over mountain passes and through dense forests. If they succeeded in the journey they would
have rice for their families. One pound
of tea would buy one pound of rice. Yes,
we were enchanted, so I read more.
This
story was shared with myself, a young friend, and his mother as we tasted some
delightful Puer teas at the Tao of Tea recently. We were on a tea adventure in
Portland, visiting five teashops and learning about tea all in one day. It was a special delight for me to share tea
with friends. The adventure is worth
repeating and I would love to share with you.
If you are visiting Portland some day and would like to learn more of
tea, come and travel with me and we will share a cup of tea and remember stories
of another time. Tea has a rich history
full of stories such as this.
If you would like to read more on the Tea Horse Road,
visit:
7 comments:
I loved the story! It is always fun to learn new things about tea and its history. And how very special that you took a tea exploration with a young man and his mother. What a very special time!
Wow -- fascinating. Can you imagine carrying 200 pounds of anything? I couldn't. Indeed -- that IS enchantment!
What a delightful story. Angelica has developed an affinity for tea, and once I tell her the history that includes horses, she will be even more enamored of tea. The young lad certainly looks enthralled. Sounds like such a fun day!
Hi - I love reading of the history and origin of things and tea certainly has a history, many histories and beginnings and purposes. Lovely,
Love Gail
peace.....
What a great story and information! Darling little boy!
I have this issue of National Geographic and thoroughly enjoyed reading the story. If the boy in the photograph wasn't a tea lover before, he probably is now, thanks to you!
Five tea houses in one day? I'm definitely calling you when I get to Portland! (Actually, I would have done that anyway, but even more so now!)
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