History of Tea in America
A Brief Summary
Colonists
Love Tea.
A little known fact is the Dutch were the first to introduce tea to the North American colonies in 1650. It was an immediate hit. Tea became a very popular drink in the colonies, and tea ceremonies were common among all classes.
The Townshend Acts.
The view of tea in American culture began to shift when the British government introduced the Townshend Acts in 1767. Tea was taxed as part of these laws which made it less affordable for the American people. However, cheaper tea was still smuggled into America.
In the Tea Act of 1773, Parliament left the American import duties in place but decreed that the East India Company would no longer have to pay any duties on tea landing in Britain and headed to America, nor would it have to sell the tea at British public auctions. It could deliver its product straight to American consumers, untouched by middlemen and almost untaxed, save for a modest American import duty. The only people who stood to incur financial losses from the arrangement were American smugglers who had been peddling duty-free tea from Holland.
Few in London thought the sweetheart deal was a matter of consequence to anyone but the East India Company, and it received little notice. Some relief would be granted to the struggling corporate giant, without political cost. And surely, Americans would not object to receiving tea at bargain prices. British prognosticators were wrong. . .
No Taxation Without Representation.
For the Americans, the fundamental issue was one of self-governance. Whoever levied taxes got to call the shots, including how to spend the money. Parliament insisted on taxing colonists to support—and command—colonial administration. Colonists countered that they were more than willing to tax—and rule—themselves. No more “taxation without representation” became their rallying cry, not “down with high taxes.” An incensed group of colonists, the Sons of Liberty, took actions in their own hands.
Boston Tea Party.
On the night of December 16, 1773, a contingent of men from Boston, including major historical figures such as Samuel Adams, John Hancock, and Paul Revere, dressed as Native Americans (Mohawk Indians) boarded British ships in Boston Harbor and threw 340 chests of British East India Company Tea, weighing over 92,000 pounds, into the sea.
All of the chests were smashed open with axes and the tea dumped into Boston Harbor. The cargo was worth more than $1,700,000 dollars in today’s money. Historical accounts record that no damage was done to any of the ships except a broken lock which was replaced the next day. The event was witnessed by thousands, and the implications and impact of this action were enormous, ultimately leading to the sparking of the American Revolution.
While not the only instance of tea being thrown overboard or otherwise destroyed in protest throughout the colonies, this most famous Boston Tea Party was said to be a principle act leading to the Revolutionary War.
As a consequence, tea drinking became unpatriotic. Boycotts of tea led to an increase in consumption of other beverages, such as coffee or herbal teas infused with peppermint, sage or dandelions.
Tea Drinking in America.
The U.S. has seen a significant rise in tea consumption in the past few years, making tea the most popular beverage in the country today. The growth of the tea industry can be attributed to rising health awareness, as well as its convenience.
The organic tea segment has seen increasing growth in the hot tea category.
The U.S. continues as the third largest importer of tea in the world after Russia and Pakistan.
The high-end, loose leaf tea segment had unprecedented growth as consumers turned to tea during the pandemic.
Approximately 75 – 80% of tea consumed in America is iced.
References:
- Tea Fact Sheet 2021, Tea Association of the USA, http://www.teausa.com/teausa/images/Tea_Fact_2021.pdf
- https://topictea.com/blogs/tea-blog/myths-stories-and-legends-of-tea/