A Study on Black Tea Drinking at Home in Gyeongseong in the 1930s

Abstract

This thesis aimed to examine the patterns of black tea drinking at home in Gyeongseong in the 1930s as part of exploring modern black tea culture in Korea and to identify its characteristics. For the aim, this study reviewed books, papers, and institutional publications that could examine the socio-cultural situation of Gyeongseong in the 1930s. In addition, newspaper articles and serialized novels of ≪Chosun Ilbo≫ and ≪Dong-A Ilbo≫ published between January 1, 1930 and December 31, 1939, as well as cookbooks 『Joseonmussangsinsigyolijebeob』(1936) and 『Chosunyolijebeob』(1937) were collected as data. Based on these historical documents, a content analysis was conducted on the purpose of drinking black tea at home, selection of ingredients, cooking and drinking methods. The main results are as follows. First, in the 1930s, the drinking of black tea at home in Gyeongseong was accomplished through the role and supervision of modern housewives who promoted the improvement of harmonious dietary life according to the situation. Second, hygiene and health aspects acted as important requirements in selecting ingredients for drinking black tea at home. Third, the socially spread Western nutrition theory and scientificization of cooking became an influential catalyst for black tea drinking at home.