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Liquid Jade: The Story of Tea from East to West
Traveling from East to West over thousands of years, tea has played a variety of roles on the world scene - in medicine, politics, the arts, culture, and religion. Behind this most serene of beverages, idolized by poets and revered in spiritual practices, lie stories of treachery, violence, smuggling, drug trade, international espionage, slavery, and revolution.
Liquid Jade 's rich narrative history explores tea in all its social and cultural aspects. Entertaining yet informative and extensively researched, Liquid Jade tells the story of western greed and eastern bliss. China first used tea as a remedy. Taoists celebrated tea as the elixir of immortality. Buddhist Japan developed a whole body of practices around tea as a spiritual path. Then came the traumatic encounter of the refined Eastern cultures with the first Western merchants, the trade wars, the emergence of the ubiquitous English East India Company. Scottish spies crisscrossed China to steal the secrets of tea production. An army of smugglers made fortunes with tea deliveries in the dead of night. In the name of "free trade" the English imported opium to China in exchange for tea. The exploding tea industry in the eighteenth century reinforced the practice of slavery in the sugar plantations. And one of the reasons why tea became popular in the first place is that it helped sober up the English, who were virtually drowning in alcohol. During the nineteenth century, the massive consumption of tea in England also led to the development of the large tea plantation system in colonial India - a story of success for British Empire tea and of untold misery for generations of tea workers.
Liquid Jade also depicts tea's beauty and delights, not only with myths about the beginnings of tea or the lovers' legend in the familiar blue-and-white porcelain willow pattern, but also with a rich and varied selection of works of art and historical photographs, which form a rare and comprehensive visual tea record. The book includes engaging and lesser-known topics, including the exclusion of women from seventeenth-century tea houses or the importance of water for tea, and answers such questions "What does a tea taster do?" "How much caffeine is there in tea?" "What is fair trade tea?" and "What is the difference between black, red, yellow, green, or white tea?"
Connecting past and present and spanning five thousand years, Beatrice Hohenegger's captivating and multilayered account of tea will enhance the experience of a steaming "cuppa" for tea lovers the world over.
Liquid Jade 's rich narrative history explores tea in all its social and cultural aspects. Entertaining yet informative and extensively researched, Liquid Jade tells the story of western greed and eastern bliss. China first used tea as a remedy. Taoists celebrated tea as the elixir of immortality. Buddhist Japan developed a whole body of practices around tea as a spiritual path. Then came the traumatic encounter of the refined Eastern cultures with the first Western merchants, the trade wars, the emergence of the ubiquitous English East India Company. Scottish spies crisscrossed China to steal the secrets of tea production. An army of smugglers made fortunes with tea deliveries in the dead of night. In the name of "free trade" the English imported opium to China in exchange for tea. The exploding tea industry in the eighteenth century reinforced the practice of slavery in the sugar plantations. And one of the reasons why tea became popular in the first place is that it helped sober up the English, who were virtually drowning in alcohol. During the nineteenth century, the massive consumption of tea in England also led to the development of the large tea plantation system in colonial India - a story of success for British Empire tea and of untold misery for generations of tea workers.
Liquid Jade also depicts tea's beauty and delights, not only with myths about the beginnings of tea or the lovers' legend in the familiar blue-and-white porcelain willow pattern, but also with a rich and varied selection of works of art and historical photographs, which form a rare and comprehensive visual tea record. The book includes engaging and lesser-known topics, including the exclusion of women from seventeenth-century tea houses or the importance of water for tea, and answers such questions "What does a tea taster do?" "How much caffeine is there in tea?" "What is fair trade tea?" and "What is the difference between black, red, yellow, green, or white tea?"
Connecting past and present and spanning five thousand years, Beatrice Hohenegger's captivating and multilayered account of tea will enhance the experience of a steaming "cuppa" for tea lovers the world over.
336 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2007
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1217 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews
September 9, 2015
Things I Learned From This Book:
1. Tea is God.
2. English people ruin everything.
Okay, in all seriousness, this is a pretty good book. It's less a monograph on the history of tea, though, and more a series of anecdotes. Hohenegger writes in short, bite-sized chapters, and I think the book is almost better consumed that way. Open it up, read a chapter, go 'huh,' and read something else for a while. Still, the information is perfectly factual as far as I can tell, and I did really like reading about the history of tea and the oddities of present tea manufacturing and packaging. The last few chapters got weirdly... spiritual about organic and fair trade tea, which I understand, and I do try to buy organic/fair trade, but the weirdly evangelistic tone of the chapters kind of made me side-eye it a little.
As for number 2, well, the British empire did sort of ruin everything, I'm not complaining about that, but the author was weirdly sympathetic towards the various Scotsmen involved in the history of tea. This was especially odd when the Scotsmen in question (particularly Robert Fortune) wound up being just as damaging to China as various British people. Like, maybe even that out a little, ma'am?
Still, this was a fun read and very informative. There's just those odd bits about it.
1. Tea is God.
2. English people ruin everything.
Okay, in all seriousness, this is a pretty good book. It's less a monograph on the history of tea, though, and more a series of anecdotes. Hohenegger writes in short, bite-sized chapters, and I think the book is almost better consumed that way. Open it up, read a chapter, go 'huh,' and read something else for a while. Still, the information is perfectly factual as far as I can tell, and I did really like reading about the history of tea and the oddities of present tea manufacturing and packaging. The last few chapters got weirdly... spiritual about organic and fair trade tea, which I understand, and I do try to buy organic/fair trade, but the weirdly evangelistic tone of the chapters kind of made me side-eye it a little.
As for number 2, well, the British empire did sort of ruin everything, I'm not complaining about that, but the author was weirdly sympathetic towards the various Scotsmen involved in the history of tea. This was especially odd when the Scotsmen in question (particularly Robert Fortune) wound up being just as damaging to China as various British people. Like, maybe even that out a little, ma'am?
Still, this was a fun read and very informative. There's just those odd bits about it.
February 26, 2017
A fascinating account of the history of tea—and by no means a dull history. Spanning millennia and continents, the story of tea encompasses triumphs and tragedies in great numbers, acted out by monks and soldiers, small communities and colonial superpowers, farmers and spies. Hohenegger herself sums it up best:
"In its many permutations from medicinal remedy to social beverage to fashion statement to object of religious ritual and then on to strategic tool, global commodity, and cause for labor strife, spanning five thousand years of myth, legend, history, and politics, tea, the heavenly brew, embodies the quintessential contradictions of human nature: profound spirituality and limitless greed, supreme artistic beauty and treacherous abuse and violence, exquisite kindness and hospitality, and ruthless dealings in the name of material profit." (274)
Beautifully written, this is not just the epic story of a "simple" beverage, but also a look at what it means to be human—the good and the bad. But, as Hohenegger points out via a quotation from Sir Arthur Pinero, "where there is tea there is hope."
"In its many permutations from medicinal remedy to social beverage to fashion statement to object of religious ritual and then on to strategic tool, global commodity, and cause for labor strife, spanning five thousand years of myth, legend, history, and politics, tea, the heavenly brew, embodies the quintessential contradictions of human nature: profound spirituality and limitless greed, supreme artistic beauty and treacherous abuse and violence, exquisite kindness and hospitality, and ruthless dealings in the name of material profit." (274)
Beautifully written, this is not just the epic story of a "simple" beverage, but also a look at what it means to be human—the good and the bad. But, as Hohenegger points out via a quotation from Sir Arthur Pinero, "where there is tea there is hope."
January 25, 2015
This book reaches back into the deep history of China and the first tea drinkers and explores the spiritual, historical, economic, and social impact our love of tea has wrought across time and across continents. It's an amazing story, and one well worth reading. I was enchanted by parts of this book, and shocked by others (though by now I should no longer by shocked by any of the things one country or one people will do to another - it's not like our mistreatment is anything I haven't heard of before!), but it's also a book that describes a delicate art, an amazingly healthful and beneficial beverage, and a cultivation and trade that is slowly turning itself around. In short, this book reveals a rich and vibrant history and gives me reason to celebrate and have faith. I love tea. Now that I know more about how it came to be a beverage, I have come to cherish it and all that it takes to get it into my home.
May 15, 2010
This was a very pleasant and excellent read. I liked the organization, starting in the East, then working its way to the West, following the history and dissemination of tea around the world. The last two parts then go into trivia and other common facts about tea as well as looking at the economics of what is now a worldwide industry. By the time you are done reading this, you will have learned something about tea. The author uses a very evocative tone in the narrative that will have you longing for a cup of your favorite tea to sip while you read. The book's chapters are pretty short, which means the book is very easy to read. The illustrations supplement the text very well. Overall, this is one I highly recommend.
September 14, 2012
It's a great read, a lot of historical facts I didn't know. And I learned one new vocuabulary word! The consequences of China not wishing to import British goods led to the Empire raising and legally approving the sale of Opium to Chinese citizens, which the Emperor lamented--it was destroying his country. The British harvested tea from one colony, India, to illictly purchase tea from China while promoting facilitating slavery in another colony, America and the Caribbean, in order to produce enough sugar to sweeten their favorite beverage. I'm about half way through the book. I must say I like the tea culture in Japan much better (except for the execution by ordered suicice of the first Tea Master)becuase of it's religiouis connections.
October 4, 2015
This was an awesome little history of the cultivation and drinking of tea, from its first cultivation in China, to its spread to Japan, and then the European discovery and colonization to get their hands on everyone's favorite leaf. There are good side chapters on the opium wars and the quest to find the secret to china (the porcelain, not the country). The book sums up with a discussion of tea cultivation in the modern era, including fair trade and organic gardening practices. This book was a page turner and I loved the many quotations and poems about tea that started each chapter and were sprinkled throughout.
January 24, 2008
Since I'm supposed to be a tea author, I thought I should read this book to learn more about the origins and culture of tea. It was a great find! Each chapter consists of only 3-4 pages and reads like a novel. I learned about the early origins of tea in China, how the British became dependent on tea, how tea has fostered violence around the world, and other interesting facts. The author has certainly done her research and provides a substantial bibliography.
June 18, 2017
My favorite book about tea history so far. This book makes historical links I haven't seen before like the impact of tea on the popularity of porcelain and, surprisingly, the opium trade and resultant addiction epidemic. I also appreciated the author addressing more current concerns like organic farming and fair trade practices.
December 6, 2022
This book was a bookclub selection or I probably wouldn't have picked it up. But I am glad that I read it. Very interesting history of tea and how one product can change civilizations for good and bad. Beatrice Hohenegger writes that tea was the major factor in both slavery and opium trade. I certainly know more about tea now and am interested in trying more types of tea.
October 29, 2020
Starting with the ancient legends and rites of Chinese tea drinking to Japan and the elaborate tea ceremonies, this book investigates - literally - short snippets of tea and tea drinking history. The social and cultural aspects of tea as it moved from the east to the west.
Of course it goes into the abrasive and bias relations viewpoints of Europeans toward the inhabitants of the Far East and the Indian subcontinent while building their empires on the backs of local laborers and local crops that would be exported to the courts of Europe. The numerous and varied attempts to undermine the countries that wouldn't fall into the European mind-set. China would trade only for silver - most of what European traders via the East India and Dutch East India Companies was of no interest to them - and when access was lost to the silver mines of South America, they tried opium (already available for medical causes), tobacco and pipes.
The infamous tea party in Boston. The development of clipper ships that cut the time from the the Far East to Europe in half and even more with the opening of the Suez Canal and steamer ships. How drinking tea has become a tradition to the point of near addiction for the British.
It's heart-breaking what the corporations would do in the name of making money. It certainly is the same today as it was hundreds of years ago but today's laborers in the fields can see what is being denied them. What they will likely never achieve as large plantations today still dominate trade and commercial aspects of tea production. And the future of tea itself - well, Western science is discovering some of the legendary 22,000 uses of the tea plant which include the field of medicine with the antioxidants and polyphenols contained in the four different types of tea (black, green, white and oolong). The future of fair trade tea - not advertised as much as coffee - along with organic tea. The small tea gardens and plantations of the Assam region of India which are dealing with their own troubles of a different language, expenses of fair trade and organic certifications, the impact of nearby Myanmar and the Golden Triangle of opium growth that addicts its own people as well as providing criminal and insurgent groups with funds for weapons and means of intimidation.
It tries to end on a positive note regarding some Zen meditative thoughts.
Admittedly, the book seems like a collection of short pieces. Each chapter - for the most part - could be read by itself and then set aside for a time. In other words, there is some referring back to earlier parts but not often. Someone described it as having bullet points rather than being narrative. I can see what they meant. Hohenegger added a nice touch with each chapter beginning with a piece of prose, poetry or thoughtful saying.
2020-217
Of course it goes into the abrasive and bias relations viewpoints of Europeans toward the inhabitants of the Far East and the Indian subcontinent while building their empires on the backs of local laborers and local crops that would be exported to the courts of Europe. The numerous and varied attempts to undermine the countries that wouldn't fall into the European mind-set. China would trade only for silver - most of what European traders via the East India and Dutch East India Companies was of no interest to them - and when access was lost to the silver mines of South America, they tried opium (already available for medical causes), tobacco and pipes.
The infamous tea party in Boston. The development of clipper ships that cut the time from the the Far East to Europe in half and even more with the opening of the Suez Canal and steamer ships. How drinking tea has become a tradition to the point of near addiction for the British.
It's heart-breaking what the corporations would do in the name of making money. It certainly is the same today as it was hundreds of years ago but today's laborers in the fields can see what is being denied them. What they will likely never achieve as large plantations today still dominate trade and commercial aspects of tea production. And the future of tea itself - well, Western science is discovering some of the legendary 22,000 uses of the tea plant which include the field of medicine with the antioxidants and polyphenols contained in the four different types of tea (black, green, white and oolong). The future of fair trade tea - not advertised as much as coffee - along with organic tea. The small tea gardens and plantations of the Assam region of India which are dealing with their own troubles of a different language, expenses of fair trade and organic certifications, the impact of nearby Myanmar and the Golden Triangle of opium growth that addicts its own people as well as providing criminal and insurgent groups with funds for weapons and means of intimidation.
It tries to end on a positive note regarding some Zen meditative thoughts.
Admittedly, the book seems like a collection of short pieces. Each chapter - for the most part - could be read by itself and then set aside for a time. In other words, there is some referring back to earlier parts but not often. Someone described it as having bullet points rather than being narrative. I can see what they meant. Hohenegger added a nice touch with each chapter beginning with a piece of prose, poetry or thoughtful saying.
2020-217
December 26, 2022
I bought the book after hearing a lecture by the author at UCLA. Her passion lies in Part 2, "to the West", which explains the politics and economics of tea and it's importance to the British empire. It's only 120 pages, but packs quite a punch. Then read part 4 about today's tea trade.
Contemporary events have me thinking quite a bit about the privileges and savagery of empire and the end of an empire. There are some important historical lessons to be learned here.
The rest of the book is cocktail party chatter--interesting, but not as deep and thoughtful as Part 2 and 4.
Contemporary events have me thinking quite a bit about the privileges and savagery of empire and the end of an empire. There are some important historical lessons to be learned here.
The rest of the book is cocktail party chatter--interesting, but not as deep and thoughtful as Part 2 and 4.
January 16, 2016
Reads more like a survey than a narrative, as if this book is academic journal submissions reporting on the results of a study. A lot of gems, great tidbits and lovely tableaus salted throughout, but these, as well as the concept of the whole, feel lost and bogged down by how spare yet expansive the ranging topics, time periods and events the author wants to recount, cover and reach. Still had interesting, good things in there to learn and know, but for me, just not all told within a very good book.
August 26, 2024
i really enjoyed this thorough deepdive on all things tea. it was like going down a wikipedia rabbithole and tapping into every possible hyperlink and related topic. i learned so much about tea history, tea culture, tea etymology, tea gardens, and more. the author even handled tough topics, like colonization and unethical labor practices with grace. a great read and now i know a million fun facts about tea 😊
September 6, 2019
The historical implications of the tea trade to everything from politics to the modern homes is astounding and fascinating. There are some points where it gets a little too political and preachy about the controversies of current events and struggles in the industry today, which become a little less fascinating and come across as more disheartening news in an already disappointing time. You can basically skip the last 3 chapters to avoid such disappointment.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 19, 2018
Interesting read on how Tea has been involved with history. Also a nice section on "organic" or rather sustainability of tea farming.
January 12, 2021
كتاب لطيف وظريف ومعلومات جميلة عن الشاي وتاريخه وتجارته ,
من اصدارات المركز القومي للترجمة
من اصدارات المركز القومي للترجمة
June 14, 2020
// Review to come.
July 30, 2011
I'm a recent tea convert--you know, the loose leaf, good stuff. I've been drinking tea since I was a kid but never really understood what made a tea good or not, and what the difference were between the types, or what the history of tea was (and how crucial it was in so many ways to so many countries, but most especially China, Indian, Sri Lanka, England, Holland, and of course The United States). Wonderfully written and easy to get through--at least until the last bit. It got a bit, well, boring when it got into the organic and free trade and all that (and I'm sort of a greenie but it just lacked the punch of the rest of the book).
Rated: A
November 6, 2009
Very entertaining. Starts with Asian history of tea, ceremonial, historical and mythical. Moves to the introduction of tea to the west and the spread of tea, especially in England. Discusses tea taxation, importation and law as well as the spread of the coffee house and "penny universities." Moves on to random chapters about tea facts and lastly discusses the fair trade organic tea movements.
September 7, 2011
A good general overview about the growth of tea in culture, trade, and the effects it's had in colonial and imperial times. I really enjoyed learning about what makes each tea (green, black, white, red) different in the end. The writer has a lot of historical interesting information, pacing and topics were good. I have a lot more appreciation for the labor and effort it takes to produce my loving cup of chai!
August 25, 2019
A comprehensive and accessible book of tea. Covers the history and culture and even some of the science. Captures the romance and spirit but does not veer away from the associations with colonialism and exploitation. Ends with suggestions for a more ethical and sustainable cup of tea. Short chapters make it an easy book to pick up every now and then.
March 21, 2012
I felt that 50% of this book was decent, 25% was boring, and 25% was interesting. I liked how the chapters/topics were very short and readable. Some chapters were much more interesting to me than others. I did learn a lot about tea, though. And now, off to find some organic, free trade tea from sustainable farmers in Assam...
March 8, 2018
Of the many books written on the world history of tea, this covers many of the key events, players, and places from a Euro-centric point of view. Well written and researched, this would be a good option for those looking to understand how and why the tea culture in Great Britain evolved as it did and what the desire for tea wrought on the world economy and isolationist policies of China.
August 14, 2010
Whether or not you enjoy drinking tea, if you like history, you'll enjoy this rich account of how a simple mountain shade plant became a valuable form of natural currency and the world's most popular beverage.
July 6, 2011
This book was seriously fun for me. I learned so many neat things and the short, mostly independent chapters made it easy to share interesting tidbits with friends. I could've lived without the last 10 pages or so - not really my style, but the rest was awesome.
July 19, 2012
Very short chapters, skipping from topic to topic, practically like skimming through Wikipedia. Vaguely British perspective, with a little bit of historical apologia for the ruthless colonialism in China and India.
March 14, 2013
An interesting history of Tea, the most detailed book on the subject I've found in print. I find it fascinating how the introduction of caffeinated beverages to Europe coincides with humanistic, financial and scientific advances.
February 28, 2007
Highly enjoyable. I especially enjoyed reading about the Chinese and Japanese lore surrounding tea, and the evolution of the formal tea ritual.
October 3, 2008
teaism is taoism
if falling asleep regularly in zazen, cut off yr eyelids
wisk matcha for headly frothy brew
if falling asleep regularly in zazen, cut off yr eyelids
wisk matcha for headly frothy brew
May 9, 2008
Required reading for all tea-lovers.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews