The Kendrick gazette. [volume] (Kendrick, Idaho) 1892-1968, 1907-12-27
TEA AS A BEVERAGE.

Its Introduction Into England and
America and the First TeapOts.
Just who it was who introduced tea
into America Is not recorded, says tho
Circle Nor can we name the year
when the first importation arrived On
two points only can we be absolutely
certain-that no teapot and not
single chest, not even an ounce of tea
came over on the Mayfiower when she
sailed for these unknown shores.
Tea was introduced from China into
Japan as early as the ninth century,
and the East India Company first
brought it to England, but In such
small quantities that an ounce was con-
sidered suitable gift for royalty. The
first merchant who had 1t on sale In
England was named Garway. He had
a shop in Exchange alley where you
could buy tobacco, snuff and tea made
up into small packages, to be used for
medicinal purposes or for gifts.
In 1860 tea was pretty well known
| In England among the wealthy and
fashionable. BY 1864 it was on sale
at the coffee houses. Even In 1864 the
cost was excessive, 60 shllings pound
being tie price. While the first use
Of this leaf was medicine, German
named Oearlus recognized Its value as
beverage as early as 1888. But many
there were who vilified it, calling 1t IAN
impertinent novelty and the sellers OF
it immorcl and mercenary persons"
In Boston tea was on sale In 1890.
and in 1901 there were two teahouses
besides those kept by Daniel Vernon
and Benjamin Harris. BY 1712 1t was
advertised In the Boston News Let
ter, and you could buy it from Zabdiei
Bolton at his apothecary shop. The
favorite variety was green, but the adj
vertisement reads "green and ordi-
nary" Bohea was the favorite, and
by 1925 it could be purchased in apOth-
ecary. tobacco and dry goods shops, al
well as those devoted to "small wares. "
with the increased use of tea the
necessity arose for vessel to prepare
it in; hence the teapot. This vessel Is
mind. The Chinese used to and still
prepare their tea in bowls and drink II
without the admixture of any Other
material. They had to boil their wa
ter, but this was probably done In q
vessel Of copper or bronze, in the work
ing of which metals they were album
dainty skilled. There are ancient yes
sells with spouts made centuries agi
by these people, which are to be seer
In museums In this country and Eu
rope. They are far different, however
= from the small object in which we brew
!. the cup that cheers.
The first teapots made Of pottery oil
which we have authentic record wer,
D potted By Elers Bros. at Staffordshire
England They are small and of rel
: clay, in imitation of Japanese ware
The Elers ported between 1000 ant
ITO, and while they were strugglin,
with their pottery, in SaXony a maj
named Bottcher, after arduous labor
succeeded In producing teapot Of pOr
celain in 1103 From this time ON mil
lions have been turned out in ever!
u country where pottery and porcelain
l. have been made.
~ The shapes followed the decline Il
u the price of tea, and rose from tn
U small globe-shaped, pear-shaped. cone
l. like and oval teapots to the objects 0
+ large size which were often seen
L decade ago forever simmering on TN
D back of the stove.