Where did tea originate? It was discovered in China somewhere between the 30th and 21st century BC where it was originally used as medicine. Then from around 202 BC, tea started to be used as a drink in China and different varieties were also discovered.
Just 200 years later it was becoming increasingly popular in China. They had to create new cultivation techniques to keep up with the demand. Jump forward to the 3rd century AD and it was the number one drink in China!
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How did tea find its way outside of China?
Of course, something so popular had to be shared. So, by the 8th century, Chinese vendors were trading tea with other countries in the East. It didn’t make it to Europe until the 16th century, which is 800 years later and quite recent if you think about it in the grand scheme of things!
What about tea today?
Today, you’ll find tea everywhere. It even has a specialty market which is big business. It means people are trying new and exclusive varieties and are prepared to pay for them. It’s often debated whether or not tea is the most widely consumed beverage in the world (after water). Either way, it has taken off in a big way.
One report actually says that 79.5% of people drink tea at home. Can you believe it? There are lots of different teas that people drink though, so this would include everything from herbal teas, green tea, to black tea.
Conclusion
Tea has come a long way since its beginnings when the Chinese discovered it. While the tea plant is native to China, these days you’ll see people drinking tea across every corner of the globe. I’m even growing some plants in my garden – mint and chamomile – that I’ll dry and make tea with in the winter! When I wonder where did tea originate I do find myself marveling about how far it’s come!
