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Reading Passage: The History of Tea

Tea originated in ancient China, where it became integral to local culture. It spread to Japan through Buddhist monks and was introduced to Europe in the 16th century, gaining popularity in Britain. The British faced trade issues with China, leading to the Opium Wars and the establishment of tea plantations in India.

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219 views1 page

Reading Passage: The History of Tea

Tea originated in ancient China, where it became integral to local culture. It spread to Japan through Buddhist monks and was introduced to Europe in the 16th century, gaining popularity in Britain. The British faced trade issues with China, leading to the Opium Wars and the establishment of tea plantations in India.

Uploaded by

DJ SANTHA REMIX
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Reading Passage: The History of Tea

Tea is one of the most popular beverages in the world, enjoyed by millions of people every day. Its
origins date back to ancient China, where legend has it that Emperor Shen Nong discovered tea when
some leaves from a wild plant blew into his pot of boiling water. The resulting drink was refreshing and
energizing, and tea gradually became an important part of Chinese culture.

From China, tea spread to Japan, where it was adopted by Buddhist monks who found that it helped
them stay awake during long meditation sessions. Eventually, tea was introduced to Europe in the 16th
century by Portuguese and Dutch traders. It became especially fashionable in Britain, where it was
initially a luxury item reserved for the wealthy. By the 18th century, tea drinking had become a
widespread social activity, and special tea gardens opened where people could enjoy music and tea
outdoors.

To support their demand for tea, the British began to trade with China. However, when China demanded
silver in exchange, Britain faced a trade imbalance. To resolve this, they began exporting opium to
China, which eventually led to the Opium Wars. After these conflicts, the British established tea
plantations in India, particularly in Assam and Darjeeling, to reduce reliance on Chinese tea.

Today, tea remains a global commodity. From traditional ceremonies in Asia to afternoon tea in the UK,
the drink has evolved to suit local customs and preferences, solidifying its place in cultures around the
world.

Summary Completion Questions


Complete the summary below using NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS from the passage.

The Origins and Spread of Tea


Tea was first discovered in 1. __________, where it became a part of local culture. Later, it was taken to
2. __________ by monks who used it to help them stay awake. In the 1500s, tea was brought to 3.
__________, and it quickly gained popularity, especially in 4. __________. Due to high demand, the
British traded with China, but a demand for 5. __________ created trade issues. This resulted in the 6.
__________, after which Britain started cultivating tea in 7. __________.

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