What Is The Origin Of Tea?

Tea is a very old drink, thousands of years old: we know that it was already drunk in China more than 2,000 years ago, and we also know that for a long time it was used almost exclusively as a medicine instead of a drink.

However, knowing for sure its origin, when it was discovered or who drank the first cup, is really impossible. There are some very fascinating legends about it, and the best known are two.

According to Buddhist legend, Prince Bodhidarma was practicing meditation and at one point succumbed to fatigue and fell asleep. When he awakened to, he tore off his eyelids and threw them to the ground because he was so furious with himself for that weakness. At that very spot – legend has it – a plant sprang up, from whose leaves an infusion was made that was said to help ward off sleep.

Chinese legend has it instead that while the mythical emperor Shen Nong was resting under a tree, some of its leaves fell into the pot in which he was heating water. The water became colored, and within minutes gave off an inviting fragrance that woke the emperor. Intrigued by the strange brew he tasted it, and appreciated its flavor and invigorating effect so much that he continued to drink it from there on.

Both of these legends share a common reference to the invigorating properties of tea. We go into more detail about it here if you’d want to learn more.