While tea has helped usher in economic and spiritual growth in its 3,500 year history, it has also been part of the oppression of women. It’s tied to the mission of Thistle Farms through the stories of the oldest forms of human trafficking, trading of opiates in China, and sexual violence in the fields of India.
But tea has a noble story too, as its rituals and symbolism are great companions for cultivating justice. Whether being dumped into a harbor, served by Gandhi as he negotiated freedom, or fundraising for the Women’s Suffrage Movement, tea has played a part in every revolution since the 1700s. Tea creates an environment of rituals, offering dignity and creating dialogue.
