In the previous writing, we touched on the Bruce brothers, specifically Robert Bruce, and how he "discovered" tea in Assam. However, this story is a clear example of "claiming someone else's hat," as it is filled with events unknown to many. This illustrates that there is no such thing as knowing everything; the sheer volume of information is overwhelming, and our lifespan is too short to grasp every aspect of tea.
Interestingly, two contemporary "Roberts" significantly influenced tea, but those who know one are likely unaware of the other. This is why the "Companies, Kingdoms & Wars" saga introduces both before its grand finale.
We are familiar with the first "Robert," a mercenary credited with discovering tea in Assam. The second "Robert" is Robert Fortune, who operated in a different field than Robert Bruce. However, both shared a fascination for the tea plant and worked for the British East India Company.
To introduce Robert Fortune, it is essential to understand the sociopolitical context of the era regarding tea, which is summarized in the first three writings of "Companies, Kingdoms & Wars." However, an event has been omitted until now, which will be revealed at the saga's end. This event, experienced by Robert Fortune, could have cost him his life had he failed his mission.
It is said that once one has tasted heaven, it is impossible to find pleasure in earthly things. This aspect was the tipping point. While the British were fascinated with tea, they faced the problem of all tea coming from China, which made it impossible to standardize quality. This challenge drove the British to establish their large tea factory in the East Indies (India).
Of course, having the motivation and resources to do what one desires is one thing, but knowing how to do it well is a very different reality. The British, who were encountering issues with the quality of their suppliers, needed to ensure that if they were to supply themselves, they had to achieve the best possible quality. As we know, the British crown did not accept "no," "it's not possible," or "we don't know" as answers. The solution to their problem was the protagonist of this narrative: Robert Fortune.
A BOTANIST, PLANT HUNTER, GARDENER, SPY, AND A THIEF
The Autonomous University of Madrid defines botany as the field of biology that studies plants. This discipline successfully combines knowledge acquired over time with current understanding, allowing it to remain a socially necessary science with multiple application and development areas.
The phrase “socially necessary and with multiple application and development areas” is entirely accurate. Keightley highlights that Robert Fortune was an Irish botanist and traveler hired by the Edinburgh Botanical Garden and later by the Royal Horticultural Society in Chiswick. When the First Opium War concluded, he was sent on a mission to collect plants and acquire knowledge about tea production. Keightley mentions that Robert Fortune’s journey included the countries of China, Taiwan, and Japan. He is credited with introducing various specimens of flowers, shrubs, and trees to Europe.
While Robert Fortune's achievements in Europe can be appreciated today, Rose (2010) argues that his actions can be considered the greatest act of corporate espionage in history. Fortune accomplished all this by gradually climbing the ranks of professional botanists of his time, thanks to his hands-on learning approach, unlike many of his contemporaries who primarily relied on existing literature.
Rose (2010) states that Robert Fortune was chosen for the mission because it required not just a botanist but also a plant hunter, gardener, spy, and thief to uncover the secrets and tea plants of the Asian giant.
To understand what was going through Robert Fortune's mind, Rose (2010) suggests we must put ourselves in his shoes and recognize that he considered himself a gardener and an expert on Chinese culture. Beginning his journey at age thirty, he embarked on a two-year expedition to China. In his chronicles, he recounts being attacked by bandits and pirates, suffering various illnesses, and enduring storms. Still, none of this prevented him from disguising himself as a wealthy Chinese merchant.
Upon completing his journey, Robert Fortune was approached by a representative of the East India Company with a disguised order to return to China, this time "smuggling tea."
The East India Company instructed Robert Fortune to obtain the finest tea from the best tea gardens and send seeds and Chinese labor to India. This ensured complete control over the best possible quality in their product portfolio, albeit at the expense of stealing production secrets from their competitors.
Rose (2010) highlights that despite being able to smuggle all the necessary supplies for tea production, the secret to obtaining high-quality tea was hung on the wall inside the factory. It was a selection from the classic book Cha Ching by the master Lu Yu, which stated:
The highest quality tea must have:
Folds like the leather boots of Tartar riders,
Curled like the wattles of a mighty ox,
Unfurling like a mist rising from a ravine,
Shining like a lake touched by a zephyr,
And be moist and soft, like
Freshly swept earth after rain.
Although tea may seem like a simple beverage that combines leaves and hot water, its production and preparation go far beyond that; we must have a genuine interest in fully appreciating the beauty behind tea.
The story of Robert Fortune is just a summary of his journey. From it, we can learn that no matter how much others try to replicate and have all the resources to copy what we do, they will never be able to replicate our essence as long as it is genuine. While India and China produce vast quantities of tea, beyond those quantities, every country that cultivates tea, whether in large or small amounts, stands out for something unique.
We should not confine ourselves to the idea that only one type of tea exists. Let us keep an open mind and seek to experience and enjoy all the options available, taking the good and discarding the bad from each one.
Let us always strive to learn new valuable content…
Until next time!
Satoricha ~
References
Keightley, D. N. (n.d.). China | Events, People, Dates, Flag, Map, & Facts. Britannica. Retrieved July 14, 2024, from https://www.britannica.com/place/China
Rose, S. (2010, March 9). The Great British Tea Heist | Smithsonian. Smithsonian Magazine. Retrieved July 14, 2024, from https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/the-great-british-tea-heist-9866709/
Rose, S. (2010, March 28). The Tea Thieves: How A Drink Shaped An Empire. NPR. Retrieved July 14, 2024, from https://www.npr.org/2010/03/28/125237353/the-tea-thieves-how-a-drink-shaped-an-empire
Universidad Autónoma de Madrid. (n.d.). UAM - Facultad de Ciencias - Botánica Hoy. Universidad Autónoma de Madrid. Retrieved July 14, 2024, from https://www.uam.es/Ciencias/Bot%C3%A1nica-hoy/1446766816513.htm?language=es
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