An Emperor, a Queen, and an Entrepreneur walk into a bar… it sounds like the setup for a quirky joke but it’s the start of a journey through time, tracing the history of tea. Well sort of, they didn’t actually meet at a bar… Instead, these figures passed a baton through centuries earning their rightful titles as pioneers of the tea industry. From ancient serendipity to royal rituals and modern revival, the stories we’re about to share are a testament to the timeless allure of tea. Let’s travel through time together with these three visionaries as our guide.
The Emperor: Shen Nung (2737 BCE)
Our story begins in ancient China with Emperor Shen Nung (also spelled Shennong), a legendary ruler known as the “Divine Farmer” for his pioneering contributions to agriculture and medicine. According to the legend, Shen Nung was the first to discover tea, quite serendipitously.
The tale goes that one day as he rested beneath a wild tea tree, a leaf from the Camellia sinensis plant drifted right into his boiling water. Intrigued by its aroma, Shen Nung tasted the brew and was captivated by its invigorating and soothing capabilities.
He declared tea a gift from nature – one that not only delighted the senses but also possessed medicinal benefits. He tested hundreds of herbs and plants to understand their medicinal properties, recording both beneficial and poisonous effects. His discoveries were compiled into the Shennong Bencao Jing, also known as The Classic of Herbal Medicine, one of China’s oldest texts on medicinal plants.
From that moment, tea became an integral part of Chinese culture, being implemented into Chinese philosophy, daily rituals, and spiritual practices. This cultural phenomenon inspired trade routes that made tea a staple on the Silk Road and later in the global tea trade, spreading its influence to countries like Japan, India, and Britain.
China’s rich and diverse tea culture is shaped by five key regions: Yunnan, Hunan, Anhui, Zhejiang, and Fujian. Thanks to the work of Shen Nung, Yunnan is referred to as the birthplace of tea! This region is famous for its rich and earthy Pu-Erh tea. The Hunan region produces a variety of teas including the rare Jushan Yinzhen, a yellow brew with a slight sweet and fruity flavor. Anhui is home to Keemun black tea, which is used in several of our popular blends including English Breakfast and Supreme Breakfast. The Zhejiang province is China’s leading producer of tea, renowned for its world-famous Longjing green tea. While the Fujian region boasts a diverse tea tradition, producing exceptional Ti Quan Yin oolong teas like our Top Ti Quan Yin and Ti Quan Yin Spring Floral.
So the next time you sip on one of our green teas or Chinese black teas, think of Shen Nung and the happy accident that birthed a beverage that is still considered to be the pride of traditional tea producers.
The Queen: Alexandrina Victoria (1837)
Fast-forward to 19th-century England and tea has become an essential part of British life. During Queen Victoria’s reign, tea was treated as much more than a drink; it was a symbol of sophistication and empire. As the British East India Company solidified trade routes, tea cultivation spread to colonies in India and Sri Lanka, forever changing global tea culture.
While Queen Victoria may not have introduced tea to England, she was known to enjoy a daily cup or two! In fact, the word “tea” appears over 7,500 times in the various copies of her journal, proving it was not only a part of her daily routine but something that she truly treasured. Additional writings from her grandchildren revealed Queen Victoria always had several cups in front of her, often using two special cups to pour the tea from one into the other, cooling it down.
Her reign saw the formalization of tea rituals such as afternoon tea, a now cherished British tradition. The posh ceremony captures everything we’ve come to adore about modern-day tea parties — delicate finger sandwiches, an array of baked goods like scones, exquisite teacups, beautifully curated decor, and, of course, the lively exchange of gossip.
For those looking to plan the perfect afternoon tea, the Historic Royal Palaces Collection is an excellent place to start! Each unique blend pays homage to tea's imperial history and roots and comes packaged in a brilliant jewel-toned tin containing 30 tea sachets. Our Imperial Windsor and Taste of British History blends also bring a fresh twist to classic black tea, tipping a crown to its noble heritage. Speaking of…. There's more to the story here! It turns out, Queen Victoria wasn’t the only royal with key contributions in tea history. There are two Queens who deserve credit in this story. Queen Victoria led a historic expansion and integration of tea into British culture, but Queen Catherine of Braganza introduced the beverage to the English court centuries prior.
Queen Catherine, a Portuguese princess, married King Charles II of England in 1662. As an avid tea drinker, she is widely credited with introducing tea to the royal household. Tea was already known in Europe through Portuguese and Dutch trade, but Catherine’s personal fondness for it popularized the drink among the English aristocracy. Her influence extended beyond the royal palace, setting the stage for Queen Victoria to steep her own tea traditions. Their combined influence led to the drink becoming a cornerstone of British identity and culture!
The Entrepreneur: John Harney (1983)
In the late 20th century, tea found a new champion: John Harney, an American entrepreneur with a passion for quality and craftsmanship. In 1983, John founded Harney & Sons Fine Teas, blending his love for the beverage with an ambition to share it with a broader audience.
Before becoming a global operation, Harney & Sons was a small home-run business in Salisbury, Connecticut. Soon he found, fans were coming back for more!
At a time when coffee dominated American culture, John Harney reignited the appreciation for fine teas. Shifting the focus from industrialization to craft and quality, Harney sourced the finest leaves, created unique blends, and emphasized the beauty of tea rituals. His efforts helped foster a renewed tea culture in the United States, where tea drinkers began to explore oolongs, herbal infusions, and exotic blends with newfound curiosity.
Now headquartered in Millerton, New York – Harney fills 90,000 square feet of warehouse space in addition to its new bottling plant in Hudson, New York. Not to mention our storefronts in Millerton and SoHo, which inspired the SoHo Blend, a fan-favorite black tea with notes of chocolate, vanilla, coconut, and amaranth petals. Today, our teas are consumed on all seven continents across the globe! It’s all thanks to Papa John’s vision.
John Harney championed tea as more than just a beverage — it was an experience. Through his commitment to sustainability, education, and the global tea community, Harney elevated tea drinking to an art form, offering a personal and intimate connection to a centuries-old tradition. Today, we hope our tea company reminds you that tea is more than a drink – it’s a connection to history, craftsmanship, and community. It’s a connection that belongs to you!
Your Turn to Sip Through Time
Whether you’re savoring a gentle green tea, a bold black tea, or a modern artisan blend, you’re part of a tradition that spans centuries and continents. From Shen Nung’s discovery to Queen Victoria’s rituals and John Harney’s revival, tea’s journey is a reminder of its timeless ability to unite, comfort, and inspire.
We invite you to celebrate this history with us. Browse your personal shop and create your own moment in the legacy of tea. Thank you for being part of this rich story. Here’s to the next chapter – yours.
