How many meanings of the word tea? When we pronounce it, we can mean completely different concepts and objects. Tea can be called an evergreen shrub, the leaves of which are collected and specially processed. Tea is a drink made by brewing tea leaves. And not only them. Today, brewing various herbs, flowers, berries, fruits, and so on, they also say: "tea." Chamomile, ginger, hibiscus, etc. During the heat, recently bottled drinks, cold teas resembling lemonade have become very popular. We leave the waiter money for the service - for tea. The origin of the word "tea", stories and legends associated with it - this and much more will be discussed in the article.
Legend
Where did tea come from, what is the origin of the word tea? According to legend, there was such an ancient Chinese emperor Shen Nong. He lived about five thousand years ago. Among other activities, his interests included the study of the beneficial properties of various plants and their parts. Once he went on another trip around the country. He drank only boiled water for hygiene purposes. During the break, they put boiling water. And several leaves from a tree fell under it, under which the emperor rested. These were tea leaves. He accidentally turned out to like the drink. He energized, toned and refreshed. Shen Nong studied the properties of wonderful leaves. Perhaps this is how the culture that conquered the world and has been used for thousands of years was born.
Tea: the origin of the word
In Russian and some European languages, the word "tea" first appeared in the seventeenth century. It was at this time that economic relations between China and Russia arose and boomed. From there, tea, silk and cotton cloth, porcelain, cane sugar were brought. Furs, woolen fabrics, glass, manufactory, etc. were imported back. Presumably, the origin of the word "tea" in Russian is associated with the name of the medicinal plant, which was part of the recipes for the preparation of medicinal decoctions.
In China itself, tea has hundreds of names. It depends on the dialect of the province, on the place of growth, on the variety or species. But, the hieroglyph meaning tea is the same throughout the country. Trade with Russia began in northern China. Here is the sound of the word closest to Russian. Only the collected green leaves from tea bushes are called “ch'a”. Processed, shredded dry leaves (what we call black tea) are “u-cha”, and brewed ones are “ch'a-i”.
History of tea in Russia
Tea was first tasted in Russia in 1638. Among the gifts of the Mongolian Altyn Khan to the Russian Tsar Mikhail Fedorovich was Chinese tea. A decoction of leaves was used at the royal court as a medicine. By the end of the XVII century, it began to be sold in pharmacies as a tonic drug.
Gradually, the volumes of tea imported from China increased exponentially. And by the end of the XVIII century, the drink became a mandatory attribute of the royal table. Moreover, he gained popularity among the upper layers of society - nobles and merchants, despite its high cost. A pound of tea leaves in those days was worth two or even three cows.
Tea "came" to the people gradually. In wide layers, the drink became popular first in the cities of Siberia, then the Volga region, and there already in Moscow. After the imperial decree on the permission to trade tea in taverns and restaurants was issued in 1821, the “tea boom” began in Russia. During the reign of Nicholas I, everyone drank tea: from the richest aristocracy to the poorest peasantry. This distribution of the product leads to the emergence of tea contentment, in particular in the Russian army.
Samovar
It is tea that needs to be thankful for the appearance of "the most Russian device" - a samovar. In the middle of the XVIII century, a rather complex technological device appeared in the Urals, and then its production was transferred to Tula for industrial and economic reasons.
Tip
The origin of the tip is attributed to coachmen. Their work was difficult, associated with many risks and dangers. Just pay for the coachman was considered bad form among passengers. Before the advent and widespread use of “tea” terminology in Russia, only vodka enjoyed such popularity. A frozen and tired coachman who asked for an extra fee to keep warm and relax, received it. First they asked for vodka, then switched to a more correct one: for gulls, for tea.
The German scientist Goering in his monograph created a certain classification of tips:
- Additional payment for services, work, etc. This is a modern tip to the waiter, maid, taxi driver, etc.
- Payment for labor, but not agreed in advance. Something done at the request and paid in banknotes.
- A kind of bonus money, payments in honor of the holiday, events.
Triumphal procession
The meaning of the word "tea" according to Dahl's explanatory dictionary is: "a tree, its dried leaves, the very infusion of these leaves, a drink." Tea spread more and more throughout Russia, becoming not just a culinary dish. I. G. Kohl writes that he “is the morning and evening drink of Russians in the same way as“ Lord, have mercy! ” “their morning and evening prayers.” Tea was offered both “on the track” and “off the track”.
It happened to notice that when drinking tea, a person becomes softer, more complacent. The ceremony itself with a hissing samovar filled with a fragrant decoction cup made its participants calmer, more peaceful. Tea was drunk several times a day.
At this time, the verb “tea” was born, proverbs and sayings appeared:
- Have a cup of tea - forget the longing.
- We do not miss tea - we drink seven cups.
- Do not drink tea, so do not live in the world.
- Tea is not drunk - will not make out.