Tea has a history that goes back thousands of years. According to Chinese legend in 2737 BC, Shen Nung, the Chinese emperor was sitting beneath a tree while his servant boiled some water. Leaves from the tree blew into the water and tea was born. The tree from which the leaves had blown was the Camellia Sinensis plant, from which non-herbal teas are made. Over the centuries, tea grew in popularity and spread to every corner of the globe.
Today tea is the daily beverage of choice for millions of people across the world. Whether it’s black, green, or red, people have come to enjoy this warm beverage. It wasn’t always so. There was a time when tea was so heavily taxed that only the wealthy could afford it. It had to be smuggled across borders to be enjoyed. The tea tax even created such tension between Britain and the United States that it resulted in the Boston Tea Party and ultimately the American Revolution.
Recent research suggests that tea, especially green tea, is good for human health. It contains components that can help to prevent cancer, diabetes, and heart disease.
There is a skill in making a good cup of tea. This infographic offers essential advice on how to choose and brew the best cup of tea possible.