History in a cup of tea

 WHETHER you take it green, black or with milk, tea has been connecting communities for centuries.

To mark International Tea Day on Friday, 21 May, Bendigo academic and historian Dr Dilhani Dissanayake is holding a tea talk and tastings at Bendigo Library from 10.30am to 12pm, where she’ll discuss the cultural importance of the drink.

Dr Dissanayake has a unique interest in the history behind world foods, especially in cinnamon’s connection to her home country, Sri Lanka.

After her study gained interest, she decided to launch a series of monthly seminars called Bendigo Food for Thought.

“People kept asking me about other food and the stories behind may foods so I thought that is the best way I can use my expertise,” she said.

“For example, last month I talked about Anzac biscuits, specifically the women behind that biscuit, and how the recipe has been changing.”

Dr Dissanayake said after Bendigo Food for Thought held a seminar on tea, she was approached by Goldfields Library for a special encore.

“I think that tea is the most desirable drink and it’s just second to water, the world’s most favourite drink,” she said. “It has its long and extraordinary and sometimes unpleasant history.

“It’s filled with legends, myths, adventure, colonisation, imperialism, migration labour and also traditions, cultures and punishments. It’s all included when we talk about tea, it’s not just simply a drink.”

People are encouraged to bring their own cups and saucers, and favourite tea, for the talk. Register at bit.ly/2SVLVJ9.