Tea Blog

Most people with a traditional education have at least heard of Marco Polo, the famous Venetian traveler whose adventures captivated generations of readers—and who was memorably portrayed by Gary Cooper in the classic 1938 Marco Polo film starring Gary Cooper. A French tea company has even named several tea products after him, including a scented black tea, a black tea blend, and a rooibos infusion. But what connection does Marco Polo have to tea? Let’s take a closer look.

Marco Polo’s Journey to China

Born in Venice, Italy, on September 15, 1254, Marco Polo certainly did not grow up in a culture centered around tea. However, knowledge of Asia—and particularly China—was already a part of family life. His father, Niccolò Polo, was a merchant whose business dealings took him deep into Asia, including extended stays in China.

As a young man, Marco was educated in trade, learning how to handle foreign currencies, evaluate goods, and manage merchant ventures. Remarkably, he did not meet his father until 1269, when he was about fifteen years old, because Niccolò had departed on trade missions before Marco’s birth.

In 1271, Marco, his father, and his uncle Maffeo Polo embarked on the journey that would make him famous. Traveling across Asia and eventually reaching the court of Kublai Khan, Marco spent many years in China before finally returning to Venice in 1295. Their travels covered more than 15,000 miles and brought them into contact with cultures, goods, customs, and technologies largely unknown in Europe at the time.

Unfortunately, no single definitive version of Marco Polo’s travels exists. Various surviving manuscripts contain notable differences and contradictions, making it difficult to determine precisely which details are historically accurate.

Marco Polo and Tea

Although Marco Polo’s writings contain surprisingly little direct discussion of tea, it is difficult to imagine that the Polo family spent years in China without encountering it. Tea was already deeply woven into Chinese culture by the time of the Yuan Dynasty, and it was consumed throughout much of society.

The Polos reportedly spent significant time connected to the court of Kublai Khan. If so, they would almost certainly have encountered some of the finest teas available during that era. Whether they developed a personal fondness for tea is unknown, but they would have been exposed to Chinese tea culture at a level few Europeans had ever experienced.

It is unlikely that they carried substantial quantities of tea back to Europe, particularly given the circumstances surrounding their departure and the challenges of transporting delicate goods across such vast distances.

Tribute Teas of Imperial China

During various Chinese dynasties, certain exceptional teas were designated as tribute teas, or gong cha. These teas were reserved for the Emperor and members of the imperial court. Some notable examples include:

• Silver Needle White Tea – One of the highest grades of white tea, produced entirely from unopened tea buds covered with delicate silvery hairs. The buds are harvested during the first spring growth and carefully processed to preserve their quality.
• Black Dragon (Oolong) Tea – Known today as oolong tea or wulong tea, this category occupies a middle ground between green and black tea. Historically, some were compressed into cakes before later being prepared as loose-leaf teas.
• Longjing (Dragon Well) Green Tea – One of China’s most famous green teas. Traditionally harvested and pan-fired on the same day, Longjing requires enormous labor during harvest season and has long been prized for its quality and refinement.

The Legacy of Imperial Teas

Fortunately, tea lovers today do not need access to an emperor’s court to enjoy many of these historic tea styles. Teas once reserved exclusively for royalty are now available to enthusiasts around the world.

That is good news for tea growers, who can receive fair compensation for their harvests, and equally good news for tea drinkers, who can experience some of the world’s most celebrated teas without belonging to an imperial dynasty.

See more /accargill/”>tea articles and tea culture commentary by A.C. Cargill.

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