Tea 4 2 teahouse in Northeast

Tea 42 4242 G Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. Serving Victorian High Tea to the left, Traditional Japanese Tea House to the right. Welcome! [BACK] (UNDER CONSTRUCTION: Last Updated - 10-05-07)
VICTORIAN TEAS	JAPANESE TEA HOUSE
Although tea started out as a quaint time between friends to talk, sip their tea and nibble on a few savory morsels from the kitchen, it soon became a cultural sensation, and with it came all the customs, rules and expectations of English society. Although times have changed and we live in a society whose customs and rules are far from the standards of the strait-laced Victorians, there is something about taking tea that tends to tame our often impolite, uncivilized nature and draw us back to the days where we treated one another with kindness and consideration. It is in that spirit that we frequently turn to the rules of society to govern our actions and refresh us in the ways of common courtesy. (excerpts credited to: http://www.seedsofknowledge.com/etiquette.html ): The left side of Tea 42 hosts both an indoor Victorian Tea Parlour, and an outdoor Victorian Garden tea experience, with gardens that are accessed by both sides of the establishment, and a roof terrace for both styles of tea service.	Accidental Discovery of Tea In 2737 BC, legend has it that leaves from a tree dropped into Emperor Shen Nung's cup of boiling water. The servant had boiled the water for hygienic reasons before the emperor was to drink it. But this time the water was turned brown by the wayward leaves. Being a scientist, the emperor was curious and decided to try some of this new liquid. He found the liquid aromatic and refreshing. Since that serendipitous beginning, tea has been part of many cultures down through the years. Tea moves to Japan via Buddhist Priests 2000 years after the beginnings of tea, Buddhist priests traveling between Japan and China introduced this drink to Japan. The priests brought tea seeds back to be cultivated in Japan. This was such a success that tea quickly became an integral part of Japanese life. The Japanese Tea Ceremony was soon perfected with the help of Ch'a Ching (The Tea Book, written by Chinese Scholar Lu Yu). Tea Leaps to Europe through Trade Tea reaches Europe during the 1600's, with credit being claimed by both the Portuguese and the Dutch. The Portuguese with their advance navy, created trade routes to China and brought back tea to Portugal. From Lisbon, a seaport of Portugal, the Dutch East India Company transported the tea to Holland, France and Germany. Soon the Dutch were trading directly with the Chinese. This beverage was initially popular among the wealthy, but soon become prevalent in Russia and England as their beverage of choice. (From www.enjoyingtea.com ) The Japanese teahouse, in Western terms, often refers to a small structure in the garden where one can retreat to enjoy a beverage and light snack while overlooking a small stream or pond. Windows are designed to overlook specials scenes, such as an arched bridge over a stream, a glimpse of a waterfall, a beautiful lantern glowing in the evening light. Often located at the end of a partially hidden path, the Japanese teahouse is a place where you can rest and leave your troubles behind you. (Courtesy of http://www.a-japanese-garden.com ) The right side of Tea 42 hosts both an indoor and an outdoor Japanese tea experience, complete with gardens that are accessed by both sides of the establishment, and a roof terrace for both styles of tea service.

Tea 42

4242 G Street, N.W., Washington, D.C.

Serving Victorian High Tea to the left, Traditional Japanese Tea House to the right.

Welcome!

[BACK]

(UNDER CONSTRUCTION: Last Updated - 10-05-07)

VICTORIAN TEAS

JAPANESE TEA HOUSE

Although tea started out as a quaint time between friends to talk, sip their tea and nibble on a few savory morsels from the kitchen, it soon became a cultural sensation, and with it came all the customs, rules and expectations of English society. Although times have changed and we live in a society whose customs and rules are far from the standards of the strait-laced Victorians, there is something about taking tea that tends to tame our often impolite, uncivilized nature and draw us back to the days where we treated one another with kindness and consideration. It is in that spirit that we frequently turn to the rules of society to govern our actions and refresh us in the ways of common courtesy.

(excerpts credited to: http://www.seedsofknowledge.com/etiquette.html ):

The left side of Tea 42 hosts both an indoor Victorian Tea Parlour, and an outdoor Victorian Garden tea experience, with gardens that are accessed by both sides of the establishment, and a roof terrace for both styles of tea service.

Accidental Discovery of Tea

In 2737 BC, legend has it that leaves from a tree dropped into Emperor Shen Nung's cup of boiling water. The servant had boiled the water for hygienic reasons before the emperor was to drink it. But this time the water was turned brown by the wayward leaves. Being a scientist, the emperor was curious and decided to try some of this new liquid. He found the liquid aromatic and refreshing. Since that serendipitous beginning, tea has been part of many cultures down through the years.

Tea moves to Japan via Buddhist Priests
2000 years after the beginnings of tea, Buddhist priests traveling between Japan and China introduced this drink to Japan. The priests brought tea seeds back to be cultivated in Japan. This was such a success that tea quickly became an integral part of Japanese life. The Japanese Tea Ceremony was soon perfected with the help of Ch'a Ching (The Tea Book, written by Chinese Scholar Lu Yu).

Tea Leaps to Europe through Trade
Tea reaches Europe during the 1600's, with credit being claimed by both the Portuguese and the Dutch. The Portuguese with their advance navy, created trade routes to China and brought back tea to Portugal. From Lisbon, a seaport of Portugal, the Dutch East India Company transported the tea to Holland, France and Germany. Soon the Dutch were trading directly with the Chinese. This beverage was initially popular among the wealthy, but soon become prevalent in Russia and England as their beverage of choice.

(From www.enjoyingtea.com )

The Japanese teahouse, in Western terms, often refers to a small structure in the garden where one can retreat to enjoy a beverage and light snack while overlooking a small stream or pond.

Windows are designed to overlook specials scenes, such as an arched bridge over a stream, a glimpse of a waterfall, a beautiful lantern glowing in the evening light.

Often located at the end of a partially hidden path, the Japanese teahouse is a place where you can rest and leave your troubles behind you. (Courtesy of http://www.a-japanese-garden.com )

The right side of Tea 42 hosts both an indoor and an outdoor Japanese tea experience, complete with gardens that are accessed by both sides of the establishment, and a roof terrace for both styles of tea service.