Tea is believed to have originated in China in 2737BC. Legend has it that Emperor Sh'eng Nung was spending a day in the countryside. He was sipping a cup of hot water, as was his custom, when a few leaves from a tree blew into the cup. The aroma from the mix was so enticing that he sipped the brew and noted," It quenches thirst. It lessens the desire for sleep. It gladdens and cheers the heart." A new beverage was born.

In India where tea is very much a national beverage, it is believed that Siddhartha, the prince who became Buddha introduced it around 500AD. It is said that Siddhartha left India, pledging to remain awake for nine years in order to meditate and travel for enlightenment. After 5 years, he was overcome by sleep. While resting beside a green bush, he picked some of its leaves and chewed them. They revived him, giving him alertness and energy. Siddhartha continued his journey with this newfound tea. When he returned to India, he brought tea seeds to be planted.

These days, there are hundreds of different grades, qualities, and varieties of tea. Dedicated tea drinkers take tea as seriously as cheese tasters do cheese, or wine connoisseurs wine. Herbal teas have become more popular because of their strong medicinal properties. Hippocrates' wise words, "Let your food be your medicine and your medicine be your food", are often quoted for their truth and efficacy, and they are certainly appropriate as far as herbal teas are concerned.

Tea and you

Tea contains strong antioxidants and tannic acid, known for its anti-inflammatory and germicidal properties. It also contains flavonoids, which are naturally occurring compounds, in addition to fluoride, selenium and zinc. Green tea offers additional benefits due to its rich content of catechin polyphenols. The most powerful of these is epigallocatechin-3, or EGCG, a substance beneficial to heart and circulatory health, and which supports the body's natural resistance to various ills.

Also rich in beta-carotene, vitamins C and E, tea has an alkaline effect within the body and is known to be useful in the treatment of ulcers, or for those who eat too many foods that have an acid-forming reaction in the body, such as red meats and dairy products.

Tea brightens mornings, refreshes afternoons and warms nights. It also soothes frayed nerves and stimulates tired minds. Tea also brings people together around food, conversation and hospitality. It's hard to imagine what this world would be like without this wonderful drink called Tea!