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Chinese tea farmers using monkeys to gather tea leaves
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Chinese tea farmers using monkeys to gather tea leaves
Chinese tea farmers using monkeys to gather tea leaves, Camellia sinensis. Handcoloured copperplate engraving from Rudolph Ackermanns Repository of Arts, London, 1821
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Media ID 23389114
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Ackermann Arts Camellia Farmers Fermented Gather Monkeys Regency Repository Rudolph Sinensis Treading
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EDITORS COMMENTS
This handcoloured copperplate engraving, titled "Chinese Tea Farmers Using Monkeys to Gather Tea Leaves," is an intriguing glimpse into the traditional tea production process in China during the early 19th century. The image, taken from Rudolph Ackermann's Repository of Arts, published in London in 1821, showcases a scene of Chinese tea farmers collaborating with monkeys to collect tea leaves from the Camellia sinensis plant. In the image, a group of farmers are seen sitting on the ground, their baskets at the ready, as monkeys tread on the tea bushes, releasing the tender leaves which fall into the farmers' baskets below. This method of tea leaf collection, known as "monkey-picking," was believed to produce high-quality tea due to the gentle touch of the monkeys, which minimized leaf damage. The tea leaves, once collected, were then fermented and processed to create the coveted Chinese green tea, or "cha." The tea leaves were carefully sorted, withered, and pan-fired to stop the oxidation process, resulting in the distinctive flavor and aroma of Chinese green tea. This charming engraving offers a unique perspective into the Regency-era fascination with the exotic, and the intricate and labor-intensive process of tea production in China. The handcoloured details add depth and vibrancy to the image, transporting us to a time and place far removed from our modern world.
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