The history of tea dates back to
approximately 5000 years ago in Imperial China. According to legend, emperor
Shen Nong discovered “tea” accidentally during one of his routine herbal field
visits. Emperor Shen Nong, a well-known herbalist who was also the first to
teach Chinese people how to use herbs in therapy and diet. Throughout his time
as an herbalist, he identified hundreds of herbs via personally tasting and
analyzing the properties.
One day, while Emperor Shen Nong was resting beneath a tree
after accidentally tasting a toxic plant, some leaves from a certain tree bush
were blown into the boiling water pot which was meant for Emperor Shen Nong to
quench his thirst. The boiling water suddenly turned a yellow-green-ish color
and came with an indescribable distinct scent. After a sip, Emperor Shen Nong
was surprised at the infusion that was accidentally created. By chewing the tea
leaves, the uncomfortable and painful feeling incurred by the toxic plant had
disappeared completely.
Emperor Shen Nong collected some leaf samples back and studied
all over about this particular herbal plant, which is then how tea was first
discovered. Although tea was taken for medical purposes originally and was
being chewed instead of being drunk as today. With its increasing popularity,
tea has been introduced to more and more people and is being widely implemented
as sacrificial offerings, dishes, and drinks nowadays.