As per a Chinese legend, tea was first discovered by Emperor Shen Nong in 2737 BC, when leaves from the tea bushes fell into water his servants were boiling. It was first considered a tonic
Tea comes from the leaves of a tree called Camellia sinensis. The three main types of tea are black, oolong and green. Herbal tea does not come from the leaves of a tea plant, therefore, is not considered to be real tea. Roots, stems, flowers and parts of plants are used to make herbal tea.
Studies in the Netherlands have shown that men who drink black tea which contains catechins are 50 per cent less likely to die of ischemic heart disease. This takes place when our arteries become clogged and are unable to work properly because of constriction.
Recent studies have shown that drinking between one and two cups of tea per day may promote fertility by stopping abnormalities in our chromosomes. In a recent test 250 women drank as little as half a cup of tea per day and their pregnancy rates were twice as high as those who did not.
Tea can be used to soothe burns and sunburns. Put wet tea bags onto the affected areas or keep in place with gauge. You can also put tea into your bath water. This works for other types of burns as well.
In recent Australian studies CSIRO scientists found that the occurrence of skin cancer in laboratory mice was greatly reduced when they were given black tea. It is thought that polyphenols which are very strong antioxidants and are contained in the tea are the most likely reason for this phenomenon.
The costliest teabag ever was created for the 75th anniversary of the PG TIPS tea company. The bag was filled with two hundred and eighty diamonds and expensive limited edition tea leaves. The bag costs 7,500 pounds.
Until the 19th century, nearly all tea was grown in China and its major export partner was Great Britain. As trade with China became more difficult, the British began to look for other areas to cultivate tea including regions of India (Assam and Darjeeling) and Africa (Kenya) and managed to begin cultivation by illegally smuggling plants out of China. These “new” areas remain some of the biggest producers of tea to this day.
Tea is believed to have arrived in Europe thanks to a Portuguese Jesuit priest named Jasper de Cruz. He visited China in 1590 when Portugal was granted trading privileges with the country and was allowed to bring some of the plants he discovered with him when he returned home.
Though drinking all types of tea is considered to be beneficial to one’s health, it is green tea that has the best reputation as a super food. Various studies have shown that drinking green tea may well be helpful in the fight against heart disease, certain forms of cancer and diabetes as well as a valuable tool in the battle to lower cholesterol.
As per the Chinese legend, it is believed that Emperor Shen Nong first discovered tea in 2737 BC, when leaves from the tea bushes fell into water his servants were boiling to purify. It was at first considered a tonic, however, and used for medicinal purposes only.