Boston Tea Party

On this day in 1773, 342 chests of tea were dumped into the Boston Harbor.  The tea was all from China and past prime.  I read that it was plucked in 1770 and 1771, transported to London warehouses, sat for a couple of years, and then put on ships to the colonies in October of 1773.  Black tea - 240 chests of Bohea, 15 of Congou and 10 Souchong, along with green tea - 60 chests of Singlo and 15 of Hyson were all tossed overboard.  (I realize that does not add up to 342)  A re-enactment will be held at 6:30 this evening.  Participants gather at the Old South Meeting House, and process to Griffins Wharf, accompanied by drum and fife to witness the tossing of the tea.  More information is available on the bostonteapartyship website.

Old and stale tea was sent to Bruce Richardson of Elmwood Inn Fine Teas, to be used at this year's Boston Tea Party reenactment.  I sent a bag of stale tea and received the certificate below, along with a coupon for a discount on fresh tea.

  

The teapot brewed me a cup of Lapsang Souchong this morning.

"American Tempest - How the Boston Tea Party Sparked a Revolution" is a very interesting book.  My copy is on CD, as I listen to a lot of books while driving.  It is written by Harlow Giles Unger.  The book started slow for me, and there were parts where I would find my mind wandering.  It is very historical and most of it is very interesting.  It gives a lot of Hancock, as well as other family history.  Molasses had a real impact on America at that time.  The book also talks about tar and feathering.  As we deal with pine tar from live Christmas trees, it makes it easier to relate to tar and feathering during that time period.

Sips and Smiles,

Teresa