Drink Article - My Cup of Tea

Tea has been around for a long time, close to 5,000 years in fact, and according to legend tea was discovered by a Chinese emperor in 2737 B.C. when some tea leaves accidentally fell into a pot of boiling water. It sounds a little hokey to me - but hey, it gives a feeling of a legendary beginning to a drink that has stood the test of time. Tea was first cultivated and brewed in China, and many of the best varieties still come from China. Some of the finest oolongs in the world are grown in Taiwan. Japan also produces a considerable amount of green tea, most of which is consumed domestically. After the British took up tea drinking, they began cultivating the plants native to India in order to have more control over the trade. India, Sri Lanka, and other South Asian countries also produce a large portion of the world harvest.

So what makes this classic beverage an all time favorite? Facts show us that tea consumption worldwide outranks all other beverages with the exception of water. A shocking fact, but not when you consider that it's healthy, an "affordable luxury," and offers a range and depth of tastes comparable to wine, single malt scotch, or micro brewed beer. As a result, tea is being discovered by more and more people everyday, especially as more people are focusing on ways to lead a healthier lifestyle.

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