Cup of tea?.Tea! Probably the most widespread drink in the world. Many rush to their homes after a hard day at work, seeking a relaxing moment, wanting to settle down with a cup of the stuff. The Brits are obsessed by it- “have you had your tea yet?” is the most uttered question on the island.

In the Far East, tea is the center of a whole culture. Japan has maybe more ceremonies involving tea than any other country or culture in the world. Making and drinking certain teas takes up to several hours. Every move involved pouring the water, adding the leaves, and placing items on the table is ritualized; even the way the cup they drink it from must be washed observing certain rules. Not at all like the teabag we in the west nowadays quickly submerge in boiled water.

Yet not is all that peaceful when the tea is concerned. Tea has a (not all that well-known) darker side. And I don’t mean the Earl Grey-brand. Tea was not that long ago the main reason for war.

The Brits, who already in Roman times drank hot water, sometimes with certain herbs, discovered tea during their travels to India. They fell immediately in love. By means of trade and pressure, they step by step eliminated every possible competitor. All except one; the Chinese empire. China however was the main supplier of the variety the English wanted most.

Welk, as we all know, nobody must come between an Englishman and his cup of tea. You can kill his children, or abduct his wife, as long as he has his daily cupper, the average Brit is as happy as a squirrel in a wood full of nuts.

Being convinced of their cultural superiority, Chinese officials denied the Brits (who they saw as backward, boorish imps) access to the marketplace, and raised the tea price. This was (as you can imagine) unacceptable to the new Ruler of the Waves. They conceived a cunning plan.

The Brits had built a large empire, with colonies and dominions around the globe. One of these territories was Afghanistan. In this country they found (then, as today) an almost endless source of opium. The British decided to use the drug to their advantage. After all, all is fair in trade and war. They gave the Emperor an ultimatum (which he did not like, let me tell you that), and then, when he declined, declared war on China.

Since China was technologically out of its depth against the European superpower, they soon lost the war.

The Chinese government was forced to open up many of its harbors. These cities became places where the locals were made addicted (sometimes even at gunpoint!) to heroin, supplied by the British- who in turn, bought the craved tea with their ill-gained profits. Eventually, because of this practice tea was, in fact, one of the reasons for the Chinese Revolution(s).

Guess you never thought about these historical facts when you were sipping your tea in front of the television.

None of all this has, of course, nothing to do with the Artemisia Annua Artemisia annua. This herbal tea is just soothing, healthy, and medicinal, void of any bloody history (except for the name, of course: Artemis is the Greek goddess of the Hunt). Cheers!

Biscuit, anyone…or just a cup of tea?