Tea Bricks
In China, Mongolia, Tibet, and parts of Russia, tightly compressed tea leaves formed into bricks served as a highly valuable currency. These tea bricks were portable, lightweight, and doubled as a comforting drink. Soldiers and nomads carried them not only for trade but also for nourishment on long journeys.
Tea bricks had official markings to prevent counterfeiting and were even used to pay taxes. Some were intricately designed, almost like currency notes. Who knew your morning brew once held the purchasing power of a sack of rice—or a horse?
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