Description
The history of compressed tea bricks begins in Ancient China, during the T’ang dynasty. They emerged as a convenient mode of transporting and preserving tea leaves for nomadic travelers and traders. Enjoyed by both emperors and common people, tea bricks became such an important part of Chinese culture that some variations were deemed more valuable than gold. Millions of pounds of Chinese tea bricks were traded each year on the ancient Tea and Horse Road, which still stands today stretching from China to Tibet. Due to their high demand and uniform size, the tea brick even became a Tibetan form of currency.
Salem was a well known importer of luxurious Eastern goods, including Chinese tea. The city’s motto, “To the Farthest Part of the Rich East,” highlights the success of Salem traders in their travels across the globe.
This black tea brick weighs 1.2 lbs. and is made of ground tea twigs and leaves that have been tightly pressed together to form its current shape. To consume, chip off approximately one teaspoon of ground tea, steep in boiling water, and strain.