Tea Has Been Enjoyed For Centuries!

Tea purists may argue that tea must be served hot.  It has been for centuries, after all.  But, you can have it hot or cold, which ever you prefer.

People have been enjoying tea since it was discovered in 2700 BC.  It was discovered by Shen Nung, both a scientist and Chinese emporer.  Legend says that Shen Nung was in his garden boiling a pot of water when some tea leaves fell into his pot.  Thus the first pot of tea was brewed.

However, if you read Japanese or Indian folklore, tea was not discovered in China, but by a Buddhist monk named Daruma.  In this legend, Daruma was pursuing nine years of meditation but failed.  He was so despondent as his failure that he cut off his eyelids and threw them on the ground, where the first tea plant sprouted from.

Regardless of which is true (if either), there is no denying that tea is one of the most popular drinks found anywhere in the world.  Originally, the high cost of tea meant that it was enjoyed only by the rich.  Over time, many methods of brewing tea, and preparing and drinking it have evolved.  Eventually, milk was added (an addition credited to Marquise de Seven), as a way of adding richness to the drink.

In 1600 BC, the Dutch brought tea to Europe.  It was later sold in a coffee house (perhaps the first tea house?) in 1700 BC.  It didn't take long before tea leaves were sold in weighed packets, though it would be a long time before today's tea bags were created.

The first known writing of tea was from 1560, when Father Jasper de Cruz tasted it in a missionary.

Many associate the English custom of afternoon tea to Queen Victoria.  She was, in fact, the one who made it a daily custom, but the custom started with the Duchess of Bedford.

Many may be surprised to learn that tea was originally grown in China and exported to the world (perhaps the legend of Shen Nung is true...).  This may be surprising because of the popularity of tea in Europe.  However, tea was available in China long before it was in Europe, so it really shouldn't be a big surprise.  In time, the huge demand for tea caused it to also grown in India, as well as Ceylon.

Today, drinking tea is considered a time to relax and reflect on the activities of the day.  The next time you pause for a drink of tea, take a moment to consider the long history this refreshing beverage has, and how many people before you have done exactly what you are doing - partaking in a drink that has been enjoyed for many, many centuries.

Here is a short video that includes additional legends of the history of tea: