Childhood, Tea and Tea Gardens
by Charlotte J. Crockett

Remember when you were a child and had tea parties with your friends? Or may be with just your much loved and cherished stuffed animals as your guests? You would dress up in big floppy hats, fake jewelry. Didn't you have fun? I know I did.

Tea has been around for over 5,000 years. According to legend, Shen Nong, an emperor of China required that all drinking water be boiled. One day his servants began to boil water for them to drink. Dried leaves from a bush fell in the boiling water. Shen Nong was interested in the new liquid, drank it and found that he liked it. So, according to this legend, tea was discovered.

Tea gardens were originally the idea of the English. Ladies and gentlemen would gather in tea gardens and be entertained with music and garden walks. This was the first time women were permitted in a mixed and public gathering without criticism. Prior to that, men would meet in tea houses throughout England where no women were allowed. There they would discuss war and politics much to the dismay of the English government. Which in turn tried to close these places down. However, it did not work. The men revolted and the English government had no choice but to allow these establishments to remain open.

In the earlier part of the 1900s, tea was the rage in the United States. With many fine hotels of the time offering afternoon teas/tea gardens to their guest. Then tea popularity waned. Today, tea gardens are being revived. With tea gaining more popularity as ever before.

There are many types of teas for the offering. Earl Gray is the most popular. Then there are herbal teas where herbs such as lavender, chamomile or mint are added. Some included the herbs for health reasons or merely just for the flavor.

Now where is that floppy hat and Paddington Bear? I am ready for that tea party. Oh, the memories ....

Look at the award won by Charlotte for her gardening articles!