From Ancient China to Global Craze: The Untold Story of Tea

International Tea Day: A Journey Through Tea's Rich History On Wednesday, May 21st, the United Nations celebrated International Tea Day. To mark the occasion, CGTN Europe released an engaging animation detailing the fascinating history of this globally beloved beverage. The animation begins with tea's origins in China, where it was consumed as food for almost 6,000 years before becoming a popular drink 1,500 years ago. The video then follows tea's journey to Europe, highlighting the key role of Dutch traders in the early 1600s. It explains how tea's popularity soared among British aristocracy after Queen Catherine of Braganza married King Charles II in 1661, and how this popularity grew alongside the British Empire's expansion. However, the animation also notes the devastating consequences of the tea trade, including the Opium Wars, which resulted from Britain's use of opium to pay for tea. The video concludes by highlighting the British East India Company's efforts to cultivate its own tea by sending Robert Fortune to China to smuggle tea plants to Darjeeling, India. Today, tea stands as the world's second most consumed beverage after water, a testament to its enduring appeal and rich history. As one viewer commented, "This animation is a great way to learn about the history of tea in a fun and engaging way."