The Story of Tea

by E. Jaiwant Paul

A chronicle of the origin of tea and of its planting and manufacture, its tasting and blending, its sale by auction and marketing in branded packaged form, with special reference to brooke bond india

Genres: History, Nonfiction, Tea

124 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2001

About the author

E. Jaiwant Paul is a man of varied interests, having authored five other books: By My Sword and Shield: Traditional Weapons of the Indian Warrior, Baji Rao: The Warrior Peshwa, Har Dayal: The Great Revolutionary, Rani of Jhansi: Lakshmi Bai, and Unforgettable Maharajas.

A hardcore corporate, he initially worked for Hindustan Lever and was later a director of Brook Bond India for several years. Thereafter, he headed the National Mineral Water Company in Muscat. Apart from collecting weapons, he is a keen cricketer and tennis player.

His lifelong interest in arms and armour springs from the fact that his father as well as his grandfather served in the Princely States, where swords and daggers were part of everyday attire. He lives in Delhi and serves as a director of a few companies.

Reviews

[Debbie Bridge · Rating 4 out of 5]

Having walked into the Turtle Cafe Book Shop in New Delhi, India, I spotted this little book on tea. I love tea and wanted to know more about its history, especially after having done a tea tasting in Twinnings Tea Rooms on the Strand, London, UK last year. I'm becoming a real tea historian and taster!

It's quite a small book and one I will be keeping, as it has some lovely little stories in it, plus a lot of information on the history of tea. It has wetted my appetite to find out more about the history of tea, it's like reading about the history of the world, but through the making of tea. Really an enjoyable read with a nice mixture of stories with history. There is a little propaganda for the company which the author worked for, but it's easy to get past that and see E. Jaiwant Paul's passion for his subject. What a great job to have worked in the world of tea!

Some brilliant quotes from the book:

'I am in no way interested in immortality, but only in the taste of tea.' - Lu Yu (a sort of patron saint for tea lovers)

'Apparently it was in the old coffee houses that the practice of tipping was born - customers would toss a coin into a box marked T.I.P. (To Insure Promptness). The practice is a veritable scourge today in Western countries.'

[Chandra Mohan Singh · Rating 4 out of 5]

while moving on a way I found this book on the airport. seeing small book and having interest in drinking tea I want to know more about tea. having approx 100 pages and having diverse topic like history of tea, presence and production in different countries of world, production and manufacturing process, marketing are really a interesting read. the anecdote which the author share like the example of how Mr Lipton and brooke bond had used the innovative methods for the publicity and popularity of tea was of much interest to read.
worth read for all those who want to know more about tea and also for student of management and bussiness

[Sarah .. · Rating 4 out of 5]

كتاب ممتع لمحبي الشاي ، تمنيت لو احتوى على بعض الصور للمزارع و المزادات و أطقم و أكواب الشاي التي تحدث عنها الكاتب ، كانت أضافت متعة أكبر .

[Eman Abdulaziz · Rating 4 out of 5]

كتاب خفيف وممتع ومليء بالمعلومات المدهشة و المصاحبة لانتشار الشاي.

[مؤرخ · Rating 3 out of 5]

كتاب جميل خفيف ممتع، فيه لمحات تاريخية واجتماعية كثيرة.

[K-Failakawi · Rating 3 out of 5]

معلومات جيدة نسبيا ولكن ما اعجبني تطرق الكتاب الى بعض التفاصيل التي كانت تمارسها بريطانيا من اجل مصالحها وكيف كانت تنشر الفساد للوصل الى مبتغاها

[Rayyan Albawardi · Rating 3 out of 5]

شكرا د هناء على الترجمة اللطيفة
كتاب جميل وخفيف
وادام الله الشاي لعشاقه

[Hussein Harbi · Rating 4 out of 5]

«النشوة هي كأس ملأى بالشاي، وقطعة سكر في الفم»، بوشكين.

«يُجِدُّ سرورَ المرءِ من دون نشوةٍ/ فأحبِبْ به من مُنعشٍ غير مُسكرِ
خلا من صُداعٍ أو نزيفٍ كأنَّه/ سلافةُ أهلِ الخُلدِ أو ماءُ كوثرِ»، أحمد الصَّافي النَّجفي.

للشاي /الچاي/ العراقي شهرةٌ كبيرة، ذلك السائل الكثيف الداكن الذي نشربه شتاءً وصيفًا. لفرطِ تعلقنا باستكان الشاي، لا نستطيع أن نحدد بدايةً لتعرفنا إلى ذلك المشروب؛ فلو تخيلنا زمنًا لم نكن نشرب فيه الشاي، إذن ما هو مشروبنا الوطني؟
العراقيون الذين ابتدعوا الخمور وتفننوا بصناعة الجعة، منذُ القدم، تعرفوا على الشاي من طريق ناصر دين شاه أو في زمن مدحت باشا أو عند مجيء البريطانيين. كلّها أزمان قريبة لا تتعدّى القرن والنصف، وأكثر ما يُرعب في هذه الإحتمالات ليست التبعية العراقية لهاته الإمبرياليات ولكن عمر هذه الإحتمالات القصير!.

إذن، من عرف الشاي أولًا؟
يعتقد الصينيون أن هناك أمبراطورًا قبل خمسة آلاف عامًا كان يشرب الماء الساخن، فهبّت ريح تحمل أوراقًا امتزجت مع ذلك الماء فنتج عطرٌ جميل ومذاق أجمل.
أخذ اليابانيون الشاي من الصينيين فأضافوا عليه أتكيتهم، ولم تعرف أوربا ذلك المشروب الذي سيغيّر التاريخ إلا مؤخرًا؛ فأصبح مشروب البريطانيين المُفضل والذي ساهم بشكلٍ كبير في إعلان الإستقلال الأمريكي في ١٧٧٦.
يأخذنا الكتاب في رحلة إلى الهند وسيريلانكا وأفريقيا وروسيا، لأجل التعرّف على ظروف زراعة وصناعة وتسويق الشاي عبر التاريخ وأساليب شربه وتقديمه من قبل هاته الثقافات.
كتابٌ جميل وممتع عن مشروبٍ أحبُّه كثيرًا.

[Rizowana · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was a delight to read. Though a very small book, it is packed with a rich detailing of the entire history of tea alongwith witty and humourous anecdotes. It is very informative and taught me everything about tea, from its history and reach, to its make and production. Concise and cleverly written. Would definitely recommend to fellow tea drinkers and non drinkers alike.

If you liked my review, do feel free to stop by my Instagram here!

[Debra Lowman · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a spare little book that I found in a pile. It's a quick and easy read on the history of tea and the cultural customs that have accompanied the consumption and making of tea in the East and West.

[Srikar · Rating 4 out of 5]

A pleasant read on the story of tea, its evolution and consumption throughout the world. I expected more on how the forests had to be cleaned up to create what now are the huge tea plantations, but it was nevertheless a nice read.

[Narayan Sharma · Rating 3 out of 5]

A useful book that traces the history of tea. Interesting chapters on development of tea industry in China, India, Sri Lanka and Africa.

[Sindhura · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great introduction and a good insight into the history and significance of tea and also it's making.

[Sumirti Singaravelu · Rating 3 out of 5]

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