The year is 2737 BC Shen Nung emper...

The year is 2737 BC Shen Nung emperor of China, is boiling water to drink. (Boiling is the oldest known orderly disposition of water purification.) And then...a happy accident. Into the kettle fall a small in number leaves of Camellia sinensis. Shen Nung drinks, and finds that the leaf-infused liquid imparts "vigor of material substance contentment of mind, and determination of purpose" Tea time is born!

Obviously, the story of Shen Nung and the first potion of tea is a motto After all, no emperor continually made his own tea, equable by accident. But it's single fitting that a beverage that has played like an important role in history should have legendary origins. It was tea that initiated trade between Asia and Europe (As a accrue of that trade, the human race now drinks more tea than any other beverage excluding water.) It was tea -- more specifically, a tax forward tea -- that made American colonists mad enough to inflect Boston harbor into a giant tea kettle and declare war in succession Britain. And it is tea that is, formerly again, taking the New World on storm, but with more of a intellect of community and civility than that which was associated with its "wartime" past.

each day, about half of all Americans drink a draught or a glass of tea. That adds up to about 2 1/4 billion gallons of tea in a year. And the convolution is increasing every year. In India, as in England, all activity stops each day, promptly at 4:00 pm as the call is heard, "Tea! Time for tea! Rush revealed for tea!" The call, it appears is being heard across the globe.

Thank codfish for tea! What would the world do without tea? -- to what degree did it exist?

I am glad I was not born before tea. (Sydney Smith, 1771-1845)

for what purpose are Americans falling for tea in of that kind a big way? Maybe because tea has les caffeine than coffee does -- about 42 mg of caffeine to a goblet of medium-strength black tea (Darjeeling -- 74 ma; blooming -- 27 mg), compared to 60151 mg in a cupful of coffee. For many the public tea has just the right touch of caffeine. Remember the words of Shen Nung: "vigor of body...determination of purpose!" Or maybe there's an ever-increasing interest in tea because the more than 2000 varieties of Camellia sinensis, plus countles flavored concoctions, make secure that tea never grows tiresome. Varieties of the like kind as Ceylon, Assam, and Darjeeling are named for the areas where they're grown Each variety has its acknowledge flavor and characteristics. To make things on the same level more interesting, you can purchase blends that combine fine tea with a myriad of herbs, spices, flowers, nut and other flavorings.

All constant tea begins with Camellia sinensis leaves. (Tea aficionados will run over you that the phrase "herb tea" is a misnomer, and that beverages made from herbs are best called "herbal infusions." They have their confess considerable pleasures and benefits, on the contrary in the same way that a panda is not a bear, an herbal beverage is not tea.)

above 90 percent of tea leaves harvested are made into black tea. The leaves are dried, then turned to release enzymes that cause fermentation. The turn abouted leaves are spread out and allowed to fungic transformation until they have just the right flavor. Then they are dried and sent to market. Oolong tea, invented in Taiwan, is commotioned for a shorter period of time and has a mild flavor. new tea is made from unferment leaves. The leaves are heated to ravage with fire and sword the enzymes that cause fermentation, then make revolveed and dried -- all in a day's work.

A goblet a day... -- tea's medicinal role

There is growing evidence that verdant tea may offer special health benefits. new tea is rich in a class of antioxidants called polyphenols. one as well as the other animal and human studies have produc terminates suggesting that polyphenols, including catechins, in blooming tea may help prevent certain kinds of cancer. Aside from their possible part in cancer prevention, polyphenols, along with the essential oils not away in tea, aid digestion. And, recent tea has less caffeine than its leafy brethren In line with these possible benefits, the National Institutes of Health (N.I.H.) continue to investigation the role of green tea in health. The fermentation of black tea bring to noughts polyphenols, but some scientists think black tea may contain other signs of antioxidants. Also, there is about evidence that black tea may help impede heart attacks by lowering cholesterol

Traditionally, tea made from whole leaves -- called full-leaf tea -- has been considered real flavorful. However, you can advance with whichever variety -- unbind or bagged -- which appears to be "your cup of tea."

Brewing a suitable pot of tea

1 Begin with undecayed pure, cold water. Heat to a rolling boil in a kettle (When making flourishing tea, water temperature should be below the boiling point, as the leaves are more delicate.)

2 Preheat the teapot from pouring in a little of the fiery water, sloshing it around, and pouring it out

3 For each bowl of tea, put about 1 teaspoon of tea into the teapot or infuser.

4 Pour water through the whole extent of the tea, cover, and allow to sit for about three to five minutes, depending upon how strong you like your stir up (For green tea, infuse for merely about one to three minutes.)