The history of tea in Denmark is a fascinating journey that spans centuries. From its humble beginnings as an exotic import to its current status as a beloved part of Danish culture, tea has left its mark on the country in ways that reflect society's development, taste preferences and social trends.
Tea's arrival in Denmark in the 17th century marked the beginning of a long and fascinating history. The drink, originally from the Far East, found its way to the Danish kingdom through shipping and trade routes that Denmark had established with Asia.
The first records
The first records of tea in Denmark can be traced back to the 17th century, when it is believed that Danish sailors brought the new drink home from their travels. These early introductions of tea were probably sporadic and limited to small quantities brought home as gifts or curiosities.
One of the earliest documented owners of tea in Denmark was the bishop of Aalborg, whose possessions at his death in 1668 included two teapots.
In the old days, tea was considered a medicinal herb
Interestingly, tea in Denmark was originally perceived as a medicinal herb, which is consistent with tea's historical use in the countries of China and Japan . The first Danish consumers of tea were probably the wealthy and well-educated, including members of the church and medical professionals, who valued tea for its supposed healing properties.
The tea came to Denmark due to colonial and trading activities
The early history of tea in Denmark is closely linked to the country's colonial and trading activities. With the establishment of trade links with Asia through the Asiatic Company in 1732, tea began to become more widely available and slowly began to become part of Danish culture.
Tea's popularity in Denmark reached its peak in the second half of the 18th century. In Copenhagen, tea became a drink for all walks of life – from the most wealthy to the less wealthy citizens. The period also marked a fascination with all things Chinese, decorating homes with Chinese porcelain, silk textiles and furniture.
Tea was not only enjoyed as an exclusive drink, but it was also seen as a substitute for alcohol during social gatherings. In rural areas, however, tea was reserved for the wealthy, and it was said that Copenhageners drank tea while people in the countryside drank coffee .
The popularity of tea led to the establishment of specialist tea and porcelain shops in Danish cities. Many of these shops were run by artisans seeking employment during periods of unemployment. In addition, the first tea salons saw the light of day in Copenhagen around 1689 and introduced Danes to the correct tea etiquette. These salons became the center of tea-drinking and socializing.
The popularity of tea is rapidly developing in Denmark, and the development accelerated particularly during the Covid-19 pandemic. The Danes showed a growing interest in tea and saw tea as a beverage with the potential to improve their well-being. This has led to increased demand for high quality tea and people are willing to invest more in tea experiences.
The tea's popularity is also driven by a growing fascination with different brewing techniques and flavor variations. Tastings, tea experiences and even food and tea pairings have gained traction on social media and in webinars. Although Denmark does not yet have tea exhibitions and festivals, the first Tea Masters Cup Denmark was held in 2019 and gives hope for an increasing interest in tea in the country.
An exciting initiative is the creation of Denmark's first tea garden in collaboration with Aarhus University. The tea garden will focus on organic and transparent tea production and open the door to sustainable tea experiments. At the same time, Denmark is considering becoming a member of the European Tea Growers Association and experimenting with local tea production. All this indicates a promising future for Danish tea culture with a focus on diversity and sustainability.
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