The History of Tea

Tea is the most popular drink in the world, aside from water, and has been for 5000 years. From Asia to Europe to America, tea has had a long and rich history, playing an integral part in Japanese religion, British imperialism, even the American Revolution.

According to ancient Chinese legend, the tale of green tea began in 2737 BC. Emperor Shen Nung, known as the "Divine Healer," boiled his water before drinking. One afternoon, as he knelt before his boiling water, leaves from a nearby tree drifted into the pot. The Emperor noted a delightful aroma, and upon sipping the beverage, proclaimed it as "heaven sent."

Since this first cup of green tea was brewed almost 5000 years ago, tea continues to gain popularity around the world. See the timeline below for the chronicle of tea through the years.

2737 BC	The earliest record of the health benefits of green tea appears in a Chinese medical treatise.
AD 350	A method for brewing green tea is recorded in a Chinese dictionary.
520	A legend associates tea with Bodhidharma, the founder of Buddhism in China. Buddhist practitioners chew tea leaves as an aid to meditation.
729	The Japanese emperor gives gifts of powdered green tea to Buddhist monks. Tea cultivation spreads throughout Japan.
780	The Book of Tea appears in China. The author, Lu Yu, attributes many health benefits to green tea and is accorded divine status as the "patron saint" of tea.
1211	The founder of Zen Buddhism in Japan, Eisai Myoan, publishes a book, Tea Drinking is Good for Health. He advocates tea as a remedy for almost all maladies. “Tea is a miraculous medicine for the maintenance of health. Tea has an extraordinary power to prolong life. Anywhere a person cultivates tea, long life will follow. In ancient and modern times, tea is the elixir that creates the mountain-dwelling immortal.”
1400s	A Japanese Zen priest develops Chayonu, or the "tea ceremony."
1517	Portuguese traders introduce Chinese tea to Europe.
1559	The healthful properties of tea are mentioned in Voyages and Travels, a book written by a Venetian merchant.
Circa 1600	Jesuit missionaries attribute longevity among the Chinese to their intake of green tea.
1657	Tea is offered for sale to the public in London.
1600s to Present	Tea becomes the second most popular beverage in the world (after water.)
1667	Tea reaches England, when Thomas Garway sold it at his coffeehouse in London's Exchange Alley.
1700	King of England Charles II places extremely high tax on tea, making it rare and a luxury for the upper classes only.
1773	The Boston Tea Party takes place, leading to American independence.
1784	The tax is reduced and tea smuggling ceases to be a lucrative profession.
1790	England is hub of the world tea trade.
1960s to Present	Scientists begin documenting the beneficial health properties of green tea. Green tea becomes recognized as a health beverage.
1990s	Research on the health benefits of green tea increases dramatically, with hundreds of studies published in scientific journals.
2003	Clinical studies discover that theaflavins, the unique active ingredient that results from green tea fermentation has positive effects on cardiovascular health, including lowering LDL cholesterol.

Remember, your doctor is the single best source of information regarding your health. Please consult your doctor if you have any questions about your health, your cholesterol or natural supplements such as TeaFlavin.

* These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.