Gilford Library program will examine historic tea traditions

Published Date

GILFORD — The Gilford Public Library will host a talk by historian and University of New Hampshire lecturer Hetty Startup; Historic Tea Traditions on Friday, March 15 from 1:30-2:30 p.m.
This talk will explore the history and culture of tea drinking around the world. One of the world's most fascinating and diverse drinks, tea has been both a favorite beverage and an academic concentration of Startup's for many years.
"This country, of course, associates tea with independence," Startup remarked. It was also a driving force of the opium wars, when England's need for tea was so strong that they even developed new, faster ships in order to get it.
"It's a staple," Startup remarked—and that is certainly why it was one of the most formative commodities in the world. In addition to its vast history, there are also numerous tea ceremonies dictating how and when tea is taken, and this is the aspect that Startup will focus on.

Startup notes that many of us have tea-drinking traditions, whether or not they are a part of a larger culture, and because of that she encourages participants to bring along their favorite cup and saucer or brew. "That's the most fun part," she says of the talk. "It's great to hear how others drink
their tea."