Who would have thought that just adding boiling water to dried leaves could make people so happy?
Legend has it that tea drinking began in ancient China over 5,000 years ago. The first definitive book about tea was written by Lu Yu in 800 A.D. Yeisei, a Buddhist priest, is known as the Father of Tea in Japan. This is the reason that tea is so important in Zen Buddhism, as is evident in the Japanese Tea Ceremony. The first written record of tea being enjoyed in Europe was around 1560 in Portugal.
Tea arrived in America thanks to the Dutch settlers in New Amsterdam (New York), and around 1690 English colonists in Boston began enjoying it. Tea went on to play an important role in the history of our country, becoming a major point of contention regarding taxes. On December 16, Boston held it’s own version of a tea party, with Samuel Adams and John Hancock among the distinguished guests. Thus began the American Revolution.
Researchers have discovered that tea has proven to be beneficial for our health in many ways.
I found the Stash Tea website to be a good source of information about different types of tea.
I love tea parties. But it has been such a long time since I’ve been to one. If you’re thinking of hosting one, I found a nice little site with some suggestions and proper etiquette.
So there are many reasons to be thankful for tea. I think I’ll go and make a pot right now.
