10 Facts About Tea
Updated: May 15, 2019
Here are some interesting facts about tea you might not have known
1. All tea comes from the same plant
White, oolong, green and black tea all come from the camellia sinensis plant, the difference lies in how the leaves are treated after they are harvested. Rooibos, fruit and herbal "teas" aren't technically teas at all but rather tisanes which are herbal infusions.
2. The accidental discovery
A servant of Emperor Shen Nong was boiling water to purify it for the Emperor to drink when the leaves from a tea bush blew into the water. The Emperor was a herbalist so he was curious to try the brew and loved it!
3. Popularity
Tea is the second most popular drink in the world - only next to water!
4. History
The Chinese people have been drinking tea for over 2000 years, the first known cup was brewed in 2737 BCE
5. Just like medicine
For centuries, tea was used only as a medicine. It took almost 3,000 years for it to become an everyday drink in society.
6. Proper water
You should always use fresh water when making tea. Water that has been boiled loses oxygen which can make your tea taste flat.
7. Varie-tea
There is an estimated 1,500 different types of tea, lots to choose from!
8. USA
Over 1.42 million pounds of tea are consumed in the U.S. every day but 85% of that is consumed as iced tea.
9. Oxidation
Black tea undergoes the longest process of oxidation. White tea undergoes the shortest
10. Patience
It takes around four to 12 years for a tea plant to produce seed. It takes about three years before a new plant is ready to harvest.