HISTORY OF TEA
For decades, our ancestors have told us the benefits of drinking tea and today tea is the most popular choice of beverage in the world!
It originated about five thousand years ago in Asia and has been popular in Europe since the 17th century. In North America the tea sales have almost quadrupled since the early 90’s. In a country where soft drinks and coffee were once dominating choices, the popularity of tea is beginning to take over.All tea is derived from the leaf of a warm-weather evergreen known as Camellia sinensis, which research has proven contains cancer-fighting properties. This includes all green, black and red (Oolong) tea. The degree of processing determines whether a tea will be green, black or red. Green tea however are the least processed and are also known to be the most healthful. All teas contain an antioxidant called polyphenols. Polyphenols help protect cells from the normal, but damaging, physiological process known as "oxidative stress." However, the lack of studies do not indicate whether de-caffeinated teas have the same polyphenols, and thus the same health benefits, as green tea, black tea, and red tea. Although it has never been medically proven, some people believe that milk lowers tea's anti-oxidant power because it binds to polyphenols and inactivates them. So until further notice, go ahead and add some milk into your tea; you will gain the calcium!
How Tea Was Discovered.
There are many theories on where, when and how tea was discovered. According to written record tea was first discoverd in China around 2700 B.C.E. by Emperor Shen Nong who was dubbed a divine healer. According to legend, water was boiling in his garden when a Camellia sinensis leaf fell into the pot. Sometimes the best culinary discoveries happen by accident. Since then tea has exploded in popularity all over the world. It has been used for such things as medicinal purposes to Currency. Today in recent studies show that tea is the most popular beverage in the world 2nd to Water.
