Comments on: Liquid Jade: The Story of Tea from East to West (book review)

By: Jason Witt

Jason Witt — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 11:36:04 +0000

Yes, tea history is a great read. People need to know where it came from in the distant past and how much it's affected modern civilization. It's especially useful here in America where many people just don't know that coffee never compared in its impact on the modern world. Tea was the drink that fueled the industrial revolution and consumer revolution. Good or bad, it's a fact about history, and it makes tea great. --Spirituality of Tea

By: Eric

Eric — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 23:43:19 +0000

Hey Marlena, thanks for the comment! I haven’t read much else about the life of tea workers in China pre-colonial times, so it’s interesting to hear that there was injustice built into that system as well. As you said, it doesn’t excuse the Europeans; but it does provide some perspective. I think there’s a tendency in Liquid Jade to portray the pre-colonial times as a rosy, blissful period that was shattered by the colonists. That said, I agree with your assessment that it’s a very readable book!

By: Marlena

Marlena — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 19:04:37 +0000

I have also read this book and it is excellent and readable. Having read others, though, I have to say the Chinese did not treat their workers in the tea fields kindly – more like slaves. Which DOES NOT excuse the Europeans at all. Being worker class has never been an easy spot.