One of the oldest beverages known to mankind, tea in its various forms is enjoyed across the globe. Believed to have originated in China, tea has been consumed for millennia. Some attribute its discovery and invention to

 Chinese emperor and herbalist Shennong in 2732 BCE. Legend says that the emperor liked his drinking water boiled so it would be free of pathogens. One day, on a trip to a distant region, a leaf from a wild tea bush fell unnoticed into the boiled water presented to the emperor. The emperor found the flavor refreshing, and tea was born.

 

Today, tea is consumed for pleasure and to ease sore throats and other ailments and has even been used as a medicine. It also has been ingrained in traditions and customs from around the world, with the beverage varying in significance from country to country.

 

China

 

The Chinese emphasize the flavor and preparation of tea. The Chinese Tea Ceremony brings about peace, tranquility, enjoyment, and truth. The art of making tea is called "Cha do," and the Chinese take tea seriously. The Emily Post Institute says tea is heavily incorporated into all aspects of Chinese life. Tea is served with the same care for service that is applied when serving wine in other countries.

 

Britain

 

Tea is often associated with England, and the British fervor for tea helped spread it to the New World. While tea only arrived in England in the 1600s, the country embraced it, making "afternoon tea" a popular tradition. The traditional tea hour was between 4 and 5 p.m., when tea was served as a light refreshment between lunch and dinner. There also are specific ways to prepare and serve English tea, such as pre-warming the teapot and preferential use of loose tea or larger tea bags in a teapot instead of single-use teabags in a cup.

 

Russia

 

Many Russians also love tea. Tea was once considered an upper-class product, but it is now enjoyed by Russians of various means. Zavarka, a very strong tea that can be enjoyed for several rounds, is very popular in Russia.

 

India

 

The Emily Post Institute offers that India is one of the world's largest tea suppliers, and the population consumes more tea than any other country in the world. Chai is the national drink, and hosts often serve a spicy milk-tea to guests.

 

Japan

 

The Japanese have their own tea ceremonies, also called "The Way of the Tea." A ceremonial preparation of "matcha," which is a powdered green tea, is as much about performance art as it is about the tea itself. The tea is served to a small group of people in popular teahouses.

 

Tea has won the world over with its appeal and versatility, earning its reputation as one of the world's most popular social beverages. 

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