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The Tea History Podcast
![Ep. 15 | A Fortune for the East India Company](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fe269ae0da18965edaec1f9/1629317853320-LAZQKYGVT62NJTR5GPQ6/Robert+Fortune+2.jpeg)
Ep. 15 | A Fortune for the East India Company
The mid 19th Century brought a sea change to the tea industry. Demand continued to grow all over Europe.
![Ep. 11 | Europeans Discover Tea](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fe269ae0da18965edaec1f9/1626887117279-VTJ1XYV4PH6FV3KZODSM/THP-011-Van+Aken+tea+party.jpeg)
Ep. 11 | Europeans Discover Tea
During the late 16th century, the Jesuit Fathers become the first Europeans to drink tea. Soon afterward the Portuguese and Dutch traders start poking their noses around China and Japan.
![Ep. 8 | Ladies and Gentlemen, Oolong Tea](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fe269ae0da18965edaec1f9/1625625235970-ECTLLKMOIGTGEFMQWME5/wuyi_tea.jpg)
Ep. 8 | Ladies and Gentlemen, Oolong Tea
Buddhism continues to embrace tea even further during the Song Dynasty giving rise to the term 茶禪一味, “Tea and Chan Buddhism are one taste.”
![Ep. 7 | Tea During the Song Dynasty](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fe269ae0da18965edaec1f9/1624486545816-MZEMQUWG566TOH92RA1V/matcha.jpeg)
Ep. 7 | Tea During the Song Dynasty
Royals, officials, scholars, and common people are enjoying tea and writing poems inspired by this beverage that has taken China by storm.
![Ep. 6 | Camellia Sinensis, Superstar](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fe269ae0da18965edaec1f9/1623865316004-8HKCZP6ZP685O7YC0HQJ/lu+tong%3F.jpeg)
Ep. 6 | Camellia Sinensis, Superstar
In the post-Lu Yu world, tea starts to take off like a rocket. It will take a little longer for tea to get the needed traction in Japan but during the Tang, they get to see it and appreciate it up close.
![Ep. 5 | The Classic of Tea](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fe269ae0da18965edaec1f9/1623268751844-7LCAZ2ICYCUGHU9FDDD2/Screen+Shot+2021-06-09+at+12.59.00+PM.png)
Ep. 5 | The Classic of Tea
This time, we give a once-over to his masterpiece, The Cha Jing or Classic of Tea.
![Ep. 4 | The Sage of Tea: Lu Yu](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fe269ae0da18965edaec1f9/1622680273398-5E09P6ELQDJBCYZQR4KB/lu+statue.jpeg)
Ep. 4 | The Sage of Tea: Lu Yu
In this episode, we finally introduce the Tea Saint. What Elvis was to rock n' roll, Lu Yu was to the popularity of tea in Chinese society.
![Ep. 3 | Tea Hits the Big Time (The Sui, Tang, and Tibet)](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fe269ae0da18965edaec1f9/1622069896548-KPIXK7KH4TDBBVZRVLV7/tea+brick.jpeg)
Ep. 3 | Tea Hits the Big Time (The Sui, Tang, and Tibet)
Tea's rise during the Sui and Tang are introduced this time, and we’ll look at the important role tea played in Tibet and other border regions.
![Ep. 2 | A Bitter Brew in Bronze Age China](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fe269ae0da18965edaec1f9/1621397026312-WMBKKL8QQR6UNOTKN8ZS/mengding+ganlu+tea.jpeg)
Ep. 2 | A Bitter Brew in Bronze Age China
Tea's progress as an enjoyable beverage starts to make some headway since Shen Nong's time. But it's still one bitter brew during the Bronze Age centuries.
![Ep. 1 | Tea's Ancient Beginnings in China](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fe269ae0da18965edaec1f9/1620846688190-VT8ZAZ9D7978ZEEQEJRZ/Screen+Shot+2021-05-12+at+12.11.14+PM.png)
Ep. 1 | Tea's Ancient Beginnings in China
Welcome to the Tea History Podcast inaugural episode. In this first episode we'll explore tea's humble beginnings in the Ba and Shu States.