There is something magical about a teahouse. Whether it’s the quiet serenity of a Japanese chashitsu, the lively chatter of a Chinese chálou, or the refined elegance of a British tearoom, these spaces have been at the heart of tea culture for centuries.
Teahouses are more than just places to enjoy a warm cup of your favorite blend – they are cultural institutions, gathering spaces, and windows into the history of their regions. From their origins in ancient China to their evolution in Japan, Europe, and beyond, teahouses have continuously adapted to combine tradition with new-age influence. Let’s take a journey from ancient rituals to modern elegance, exploring how teahouses evolved through time!
Origins: Where Did Teahouses Begin?
It should come as no surprise that teahouses originated in China, the birthplace of tea. We’ve shared the story of Shen Nung and his discovery of tea, but the drink didn’t become culturally significant until the Tang Dynasty (618 - 907 AD). During this time, tea transitioned into a major social and cultural activity, establishing the first documented teahouses, also known as chálou.
As tea gained popularity across China, teahouses began popping up as the place to gather. They were not just spots to sip tea – they were social hubs that brought together scholars, merchants, and travelers. In these bustling spaces, people felt comfortable connecting with others in stimulating conversations ranging from politics to literature and philosophy, all while enjoying their tea of choice.
By the time of the Song Dynasty (960-1279 AD), tea culture had entered its golden age in China. Teahouses transformed into sophisticated and elegant spaces, often featuring live tea performances, where skilled tea masters would demonstrate intricate brewing techniques for a very appreciative audience – who reaped the benefits by cup afterward! The most famous tea of the Song Dynasty, Mo Cha, was made by grinding tea leaves into a fine powder, and then whisking it with hot water in a bowl. This method of preparation later influenced the Japanese who popularized matcha tea ceremonies.
Through these tea ceremonies, teahouses expanded with artistic storytelling as a cornerstone of the experience. Chinese chálou laid the groundwork for these spaces to truly embody an atmosphere of refinement, intellectual exchange, and cultivation of the mind and palate. And no visit to a teahouse is complete without experiencing the depth and variety of Chinese teas.
Some of our most popular collections are Chinese Green Tea, Chinese Black Tea, and Chinese Oolong Tea.
Expanding Across Asia
With the soaring popularity of tea in the Eastern world, it didn’t take long for the concept of tearooms to spread from China to its neighboring countries. Korea, Taiwan, and Japan each began adopting the framework of tearooms and adapting it to fit their cultural ceremonies and traditions. For example, in Taiwan, teahouses started by specializing in the preparation of oolong tea, emphasizing the complexity of its flavor and aroma. We’re proud to offer a few Taiwanese light and dark oolongs.
In Japan though, teahouses became an integral part of the country's traditions. Tea was first introduced to Japan in the 9th century by Buddhist monks who encountered the drink during their travels to China. The monks brought tea seeds back to Japan, where it was initially used for meditation and religious rituals. However, it wasn’t until the 12th century that tea culture truly took root in Japan. A Zen Buddhist monk named Eisai is credited with popularizing tea drinking, believing that it offered health benefits and enhanced concentration during meditation.
By the 16th century, tea culture in Japan had fully evolved into a highly refined and spiritual practice, culminating in the development of the Japanese tea ceremony. Also known as chanoyu, this practice was shaped by Sen no Rikyū, the most influential tea master of the time. The chanoyu emphasized four key principles: harmony, respect, purity, and tranquility. Teahouses, known as chashitsu, were carefully designed to reflect those key principles along with the philosophy of wabi-sabi, which encourages finding beauty in imperfection, transience, and the natural aging process.
In modern-day terms, the philosophy of wabi-sabi connects with what the internet has deemed the “clean girl aesthetic.” Its values lie in simplicity, natural beauty, and imperfection resulting in an intimate and minimalist vibe. Japanese teahouses were typically made of wood, bamboo, and paper to blend seamlessly with the natural surroundings. Located primarily within tea gardens, chashitsu was designed to create a sense of detachment from the outside world and encourage inner reflection. Additionally, the buildings were often equipped with low entrances, requiring guests to bow upon entering – a symbolic act of humility and equality.
Inside, the tea ceremony is performed with meticulous precision. Each step embodies grace and mindfulness, from whisking the matcha to serving it in handcrafted tea bowls. However, the chashitsu was not just a place to drink tea… it was a spiritual retreat, offering an escape from the complexities of life and a chance to find peace. The legacy of these teahouses continues today, with traditional chashitsu still in use across Japan, alongside more modern interpretations that preserve the essence of this ancient and sacred practice. Among the most popular and widespread blends of Japanese tea is Sencha. It is produced everywhere tea is grown in Japan and contributes to some of the most popular teas we sell!
Teahouses Meet Europe
In the 16th and 17th centuries, the tea trade was heading west in an expansion that would change the world. Portuguese and Dutch traders brought tea to Europe from their voyages to China and Japan. Initially, tea was a luxury item for the royal and elite. The Netherlands was among the first European nations to develop a taste for tea, but we all know it was Britain that truly embraced tea culture.
By the 18th century, tea had become Britain’s national drink, thanks in part to Queen Alexandrina Victoria. As tea drinking spread beyond the aristocracy and into the middle class, tea gardens and tearooms emerged as an important social space. Unlike traditional coffeehouses, which were male-dominated spaces, tearooms provided an elegant and respectable environment for women to gather freely without male company – ultimately playing a crucial role in the social independence of women throughout the Victorian era.
Unlike in China and Japan, British tearooms could be found in a variety of social settings. They were common in department stores, providing women with a refined space to take a break from shopping, and in hotels, where they became a staple of high society, often featuring luxurious decor and afternoon tea service. In many ways, British tearooms resembled modern coffee shops or small-town cafés – welcoming and widely accessible – making tea a drink for everyone, regardless of social class.
As for what was in their cup? Black tea dominated Victorian tearooms, as it was stronger, bolder, and paired well with milk and sugar. Key varieties included Darjeeling, Assam, which is used in our Supreme Breakfast Tea, and the ever-popular Earl Grey. The sophisticated high-society British tearooms we all know and love still exist today, but most have evolved alongside modern café culture. Today’s tearooms offer a wider variety of teas, including herbal infusions, artisanal pastries, and a relaxed, casual atmosphere.
Coming to America
It’s no secret that America initially inherited its tea-drinking habits from Britain – cue your middle school history lesson on the Boston Tea Party – but tea culture in the States has since developed in unique ways. The colonial era brought tea practices to America, however, tea culture began to shift in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, particularly in urban areas where tearooms became prominent. While modeled after British tearooms, these cafés were uniquely American in their approach, combining elements of European culture with local tastes and trends.
A notable aspect of American tea culture lies within its relationship with the Temperance Movement, a social and political movement in the 1800s that advocated for the reduction and eventually prohibition of alcohol consumption. The movement emerged as social reform to address problems like domestic violence, poverty, and crime, which were often linked to excessive drinking. Many leaders of the movement were women, thus it became closely aligned with the early women's rights movement. So where do tearooms come in? They quickly became a gathering place and sanctuary for women, especially in large metropolitan cities like New York, Chicago, and Boston. Tearooms provided a safe, respectable, alcohol-free space for women to conduct business, socialize, and mobilize the movement.
In the early 20th century, America had its own tea revolution with innovations such as the tea bag and iced tea – further shaping and distinguishing American tea culture. First popularized at the 1904 World’s Fair in St. Louis, iced tea quickly gained favor in the southern U.S., where it remains a staple today. In the same year, Thomas Sullivan was credited for the creation of the tea bag, which changed the way everyone consumed tea. The convenience of the tea bag made it incredibly popular and helped standardize tea drinking in households across the country.
At the same time, hotel tearooms became a sophisticated venue for intimate meetings over tea, particularly in cities like New York and San Francisco, where the growing wealth of the elite made afternoon tea a luxurious occasion. Still channeling its Victorian roots, these hotel rooms often offered a refined selection of teas, finger sandwiches, and scones making them a popular place for both social and business gatherings. Today, New York still holds prominence for tearooms. It's where you’ll find our modern take on a tearoom – the Harney & Sons SoHo Shop. We offer a variety of classic tea options along with curated tea flights that pair perfectly with our vanilla or blueberry scones. Visitors can also purchase their favorite Harney teas and accessories to further their tea experience at home!
Whether it’s a classic British tearoom, a Japanese-inspired chashitsu, or a modern artisanal tea café, these establishments continue to hold space for social interaction, relaxation, and cultural exchange. The teahouse has transformed from an exclusive haven for the elite to a universally accessible setting, welcoming both tea aficionados and newcomers alike. We are proud to carry forward the timeless tradition of teahouses, found across the globe.