Breakfast : Classic Blend : Decaf Blend : Earl Grey : Gold Blend : Green Label : One Cup : Red Label

Where Did Tea Get It's Name?
Home : Articles : Where Did Tea Get It's Name?

As logic would dictate, the word for tea came from the same place that invented the drink, China. In most of mainland China the word for tea is 'cha', but in the Fujian province it is 'tay'.

Tea was first introduced to the west by the Dutch trading companies who regularly sailed the route between China and Europe. Their point of contact was in Fujian province and as a consequence of this the word 'tay' spread among the European countries. Portugal and Russia have slightly different words for tea, both originating in China. The Portuguese use 'cha' and the Russians, 'chai'. The reason for this difference can be explained by these countries operating their own trade links with China.

When the word first entered the English language it was pronounced as 'tay', and is still in use around Scotland and Ireland. In fact, 'tay' is in very high use in our local area of County Antrim as we have a form of English known as Ulster-Scotch, a combination of two dialects brought about by the plantation.

Late in the eighteenth century the pronunciation of 'tay' was changed to that of 'tee', probably to make it fit into the rather proper accent of the English middle classes at that time. This change in pronunciation did not spread to the rest of Europe, where it is still pronounced as 'tay'.

Bookmark This Page   Print   Tell a Friend