Modern Marvels: The History of Tea (S12, E53) | Full Episode

The script introduces tea as the second most popular drink on the planet after water, highlighting its mass production and delicate handling. It discusses the historical significance of tea in shaping empires and its role in global trade. The Charleston Tea Plantation in South Carolina is introduced as a unique site for tea cultivation in the US, with a history dating back to plants imported from China over 200 years ago. The importance of climate in tea farming and the process of tea production, from the tea bush's long life to the conversion of raw leaf into black tea, is also covered.

This paragraph delves into the different types of tea—black, green, and oolong—and the fact that they all come from the same plant, Camellia sinensis. It explains the process of tea production, emphasizing the importance of withering, shredding, and oxidation in creating the distinct flavors of these teas. The oxidation process is described as the key phase that differentiates black, oolong, and green tea, with the latter having no oxidation and the former being partially oxidized. The paragraph also touches on the labor-intensive process of handpicking tea leaves and the industrial-scale farming seen in places like Kenya.

The script explores the cultural impact of tea, particularly in China, where it has inspired poetry and painting and is considered an art form. It discusses the health benefits of tea, noting its caffeine content and its use by Buddhist monks to maintain alertness during meditation. The narrative then shifts to the history of tea in Europe, with the Portuguese and Dutch introducing it in the 17th century, and its subsequent popularity in England, despite high taxes that led to a thriving black market. The paragraph also covers the Boston Tea Party and the negative stigma associated with tea in the American colonies as a result.

This section discusses the British East India Trading Company's role in the tea trade and its impact on global empires. It covers the company's establishment of tea plantations in India, modeled after American slave plantations, and the labor practices involved. The East India Company's power and the conditions of the tea workers are described, along with the company's use of laws akin to the American Fugitive Slave law to control its workforce. The paragraph also addresses the disconnect in England regarding the harsh realities of tea production in India and the rise of afternoon tea as a British institution.

The paragraph examines the shift in tea production from the Chinese model of small-scale, diverse manufacturing to the British colonial model of industrialized, large-scale production focused on black tea. It describes the geometric tea fields and the factories on every plantation designed for mass processing. The rise of tea bag technology is also covered, from its accidental invention to the development of advanced tea bagging machines that produce millions of tea bags daily, with a focus on the Lipton tea company's operations in the US.

This section focuses on the process of tea tasting and the creation of consistent tea blends by companies like Lipton. It emphasizes the need for constant formula adjustments due to variations in tea quality from different gardens. The meticulous process of blending dozens of teas to achieve a consistent flavor, color, and mouth feel is described, along with the training required to become a tea taster. The importance of the blending process and the technology used to maintain the integrity of tea bags during brewing is also highlighted.

The script discusses the herb tea revolution in the US, pioneered by Celestial Seasonings, which introduced blends made entirely of herbs, not containing traditional tea. It covers the company's use of over 100 herbs and the process of milling and blending these herbs for tea bags. The paragraph also touches on the initial dismissive reaction from the traditional tea industry and the subsequent rise of herbal and flavored teas in the American market, with Celestial Seasonings selling over $100 million worth of blends annually.

This section explores the health benefits of tea, particularly green tea, which is rich in antioxidants that may help prevent various diseases and slow down the aging process. It discusses the potential cancer-fighting properties of a molecule in green tea called EGCG and the ongoing research in this area. The paragraph also covers the resurgence of tea consumption in the US due to its health benefits and the appeal of specialty teas, with a focus on the variety and inconsistency of loose leaf teas that are highly prized by connoisseurs.

The final paragraph discusses the unique dual properties of tea as both a stimulant and a tranquilizer, setting it apart from other beverages like coffee. It highlights the tea's ability to provide a unique 'buzz' and the value of tea as a luxury that is both simple and inexpensive. The paragraph concludes by emphasizing the enduring appeal of tea, suggesting that its popularity will continue to grow as it offers a range of experiences, from tranquility to epicurean pleasure.