Wednesday, May 15, 2013

Tea Adventures

 

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:

La Tea Dah said...

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!

Jeanie said...

Wow -- fascinating. Can you imagine carrying 200 pounds of anything? I couldn't. Indeed -- that IS enchantment!

Rosemary said...

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!

Gail said...

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.....

Bernideen said...

What a great story and information! Darling little boy!

relevanttealeaf said...

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!

Angela McRae said...

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!)