how was tea discovered

According to Chinese legend, about 5,000 years ago the emperor Shen Nung was traveling the countryside. The water was foul and unfit for drinking, so he ordered it to be boiled. Suddenly, the wind blew a tea leaf into his cup of hot water. The curious emperor let the leaf steep, and then drank the brew. Tea was born.

In India, another legend tells the story of Prince Dharma, who left his homeland for China to preach Buddhism. He vowed not to sleep during his 9–year mission. Toward the end of his third year, when he was overtaken by fatigue, he grabbed a few leaves of a tea shrub and chewed them up. They gave him the strength necessary to stay awake for the remaining 6 years of his mission.

The Japanese version of this story has the exhausted Bodi Dharma falling asleep. Upon awakening, he was so disgusted with himself he tore off his eyelids to ensure that they would never inadvertently close again. The place where he threw them on the ground produced enchanted (tea) shrubs with leaves having the power to keep eyelids open.

Nowadays, health and lifestyle trends have given tea new importance. Increased understanding of the role antioxidants play in reducing the risk of cancer and cardiovascular disease has made tea an ideal health beverage. It is calorie free, natural and untainted by additives. Manufacturers of cosmetics, perfumes and skin care products are now developing products that integrate the benefits and pleasures of tea.