The Nezperce herald. (Nezperce, Idaho) 1900-1957, 1908-01-09

TEA AS A BEVERAGE.


Tfs Introduction Into England and
America and the FfrEt TeADcts-
Just who II was who introduced tea
Into America is not recorded. says the
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 a
single chest not even an ounce Of tea
came over Oh the Maynower 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 Il to England. but in such
small quantities that an ounce was con
sidered . suitable gift for royalty. The
hrst merchant who had It on sale In
England was named Garway. BE had
a shop In Exchange alley where you
could buy tobacco. snuh and tea made
I'D into small packages, 10 be used for
medicinal purposes or for gifts
In 1oe0 tea was pretty well known
in England among the wealthy and
fashionable. By 1904 Il was on sale
al the coffee houses. Even In 1864 the
cost was excessive. 60 shillIngs a pound
being the price. While the FIRST use
OF this leaf was a medicine. a German
named Olearius recognized It's value as
a beverage as early as 1893 But many
there we're who villned II. calling II ~an
impertinent novelty and the sellers Of
Il Immoral and mercenary persons"
In Boston tea was on sale In 1000,
and in 1921 there were two teahouses
besides those kept by Daniel Vernon
and Benjamin Harris BY I7l2 II was
advertised Ia the Boston News Let
ter. and you could buy It from zabdiel
Bolton at his apothecary shop. The
favorite variety was green. but the sd'
rerflsement reads green and ord
nary" Bohea was the favorite. and
by I72J II could be purchased IN apoth
| ecary. tobacco and dry goods shops. as
well as those devoted to ~snall wares
with the increased use OF tea the
necessity arose for a vessel to prepare
II In: hence the teapot This vessel IS
am sure. the invention OF q Western
mind. The Chinese used to and still
prepare their tea In bowls and drink II
without the admixfure OF any other
material. They had to boil their wa
ter. but this was probably done In a
vessel Of copper or bronze. in the work
ing OF which metals they were abun-
dainty skilled There are ilncient yes
sells with spouts made centuries ago
BIZ these people. which are to be seen
In museums In this country and En-
rope. They ere faT different. however.
from the small object in which we brew
the cup that cheers.
The first teapots made OF pottery OF
which we have authentic record were
potfed BY Elers Bros at StaGordshire.
England. They are small and OF red
clay, In imitation OF japanese ware.
The Elers potted between 1000 and
17l0, and while they were struggling
with their pottery. in Saxony a man
named Bottcher, after ardnous labor.
succeeded In producing n teapot OF por.
celain In iT0S. From this time on mil.
lions have been turned out In every
country where pottery and porcelain
have been made.
The shapes followed the decline IN
the price OF tea. and rose from the
small g~lobe-shapcd. pear-shaped. cone
ike and oval teapots to the objects OF
large size which were often seen a
decade ago forever sinrerine On the
back OF the stove.