Tea in Han Dynasty

(BC 206-AD8, 23-25, AD25-220) Han Dynasty has about 400 years history. In the contract for the slave trade "DongYue" during the Han Dynasty the word of Cha is appeared. According to DongYue, we can tell that tea was used as an ingredient for making something like soup, and also used as a medicine. Tea is also appeared in the book "GuanYa" from 477, and it said tea was mixed with green onion ginger, and tangerine. The shape of tea was also different from now. Tea was wad into the round shape, just before drinking. From those evidence, we can tell that tea was used with other ingredients and eaten like soup back in those times. It is famous that tea was used as a medicine by legendary person "Jin Nong" for the purpose of taking toxin out from his body. Some people point out the word ZhuanTu in the book FangJianPian written by Simaxianru refers the meaning of tea. In the famous book GuanYa, tea and its medicinal usage is introduced. According to DongYue, tea was used for the high-class people for serving to the special guests. We can know from this evidence that tea was a extremely valuable thing in China during this time.(BC 206-AD8, 23-25, AD25-220) Han Dynasty has about 400 years history. In the contract for the slave trade "DongYue" during the Han Dynasty the word of Cha is appeared. According to DongYue, we can tell that tea was used as an ingredient for making something like soup, and also used as a medicine. Tea is also appeared in the book "GuanYa" from 477, and it said tea was mixed with green onion ginger, and tangerine. The shape of tea was also different from now. Tea was wad into the round shape, just before drinking. From those evidence, we can tell that tea was used with other ingredients and eaten like soup back in those times. It is famous that tea was used as a medicine by legendary person "Jin Nong" for the purpose of taking toxin out from his body. Some people point out the word ZhuanTu in the book FangJianPian written by Simaxianru refers the meaning of tea. In the famous book GuanYa, tea and its medicinal usage is introduced. According to DongYue, tea was used for the high-class people for serving to the special guests. We can know from this evidence that tea was a extremely valuable thing in China during this time.

(Miwako Saitou)