After water, tea is the most consumed beverage worldwide. Tea has evolved from a beverage to a shared experience in social settings and within families. Similar to how food has evolved to be associated with connection during mealtimes, tea is a means of bonding and a cause to gather and share.
Tea is an aromatic beverage made by pouring boiling water over fresh or cured leaves of the East Asian evergreen plant Camellia sinensis. Camellia sinensis is thought to have originated in the border region between northern Myanmar and southwest China. Camellia taliensis leaves are also, occasionally and rarely, used to make tea.
Exploring Divine Farmer Shen Nong’s Mythical Connection Behind Tea’s Discovery
Tea, according to Chinese mythology, was discovered in 2700 B.C. The credit for this discovery goes to Shen Nong, who was an emperor, herbalist, and sometimes referred to as the father of agriculture and herbal medicine. There are several different accounts of how he found tea, but all the stories agree that it was Shen Nong who first discovered it.
According to an ancient Chinese medical book called “The Divine Farmer’s Herb-Root Classic,” there is a story about a divine farmer named Shen Nong who tasted around 100 types of plants every day to determine which ones were edible, medicinal, or poisonous. Legend also says that he had a transparent belly, which allowed him to observe the effects of each plant on his body. After spending a long day searching for edible grains and herbs in the forest, the tired divine farmer Shen Nong accidentally poisoned himself 72 times. However, before the poisons could take his life, a leaf drifted into his mouth. When he tried these leaves, he noticed that they passed through his stomach and intestines, clearing out any poisons. He called these leaves “Cha,” meaning “checking for poisons,” and thus, tea was discovered.
Exploring Emperor Shen Nong’s Mythical Connection Behind Tea’s Discovery
According to Chinese mythology, Shen Nong, an emperor, herbalist, and sometimes referred to as the father of agriculture and herbal medicine, is attributed to the discovery of tea. According to a legend, Emperor Shen Nong was a fervent believer in the benefits of boiled water for maintaining hygiene. The emperor had declared that all the citizens of his empire must boil the water before drinking it. He noticed that when his subjects boiled the water before consumption, they fell ill much less frequently. Therefore, he made it mandatory for everyone to boil the water before drinking it.
Once, during a trip to a far-off region of his kingdom, his group stopped to rest. As was his custom, his servants began boiling water for his consumption, when a few tea leaves were blown by the wind and fell into the boiling water. However, they went unnoticed and the water was served to Shen Nong, who found the beverage to be rejuvenating. This is the story of how tea was discovered by Shen Nong.
In another version of this story, it is said that after a long walk, Shen Nong rested under a tree and lit a fire to boil some water. Some leaves of a tea plant accidentally fell into the water and after drinking it, warmth radiated throughout his body and he felt upbeat and energized. The day before, he had tasted 100 different plants and this one had a remarkable effect on him. After that, he decided to learn more about the properties of the new leaf he had discovered. As he continued his studies, he discovered the therapeutic benefits of tea.
Although the truth of this story is uncertain, tea drinking was certainly established in China many centuries ago.
Exploring Bodhi-Dharma’s Mythical Connection Behind Tea’s Discovery
There are two different tales in Indian mythology about how Prince Bodhi-Dharma, a Buddhist monk who founded the Zen school of Buddhism, encountered tea.
In the first version, it is said that a Buddhist monk named Prince Bodhi-Prince Dharma undertook a long journey to spread the teachings of Buddha in China. He had taken a vow to stay awake for the nine years of his journey. However, towards the end of the third year, he started feeling drowsy. Just before he dozed off, he chewed some wild tea leaves to stay awake. He felt the stimulating power of the tea leaves, which gave him the strength to carry on with his journey for the next six years.
In the second version of the story, it is mentioned that Prince Bodhi-Prince Dharma went from India to China in the year 520 to spread Buddhism. He committed to nine years of sleepless meditation to demonstrate certain Zen precepts. However, at the end of his meditation, he dozed off. He became furious and cut off his eyelids. His eyelids fell to the ground and became the first tea plant. According to the legend, the tea plant sprung up on the spot to reward his sacrifice.
Mythical Korean Legend King Suro Connection Behind Tea’s Discovery
A Korean folktale states that King Suro was one of the six princes hatched from an egg that fell from the heavens. Heo Hwang-ok, an Indian princess, brought a boatload of dowry when she wedded him. Tea seeds were among the gifts she received. Thus, tea from India arrived in Korea.
It is challenging to determine the origins of tea, regardless of the narrative. The story of the origin of tea is a blend of reality and myth, influenced by ancient mysticism and philosophical ideas. The tea plant most likely came from parts of Tibet, northern India, and southwest China. Chinese traders may have frequently visited these areas and seen locals eating tea leaves for therapeutic purposes.
Tea consumption in China began during the Tang dynasty (618-907), making it the national drink. Lu Yu, a Chinese writer, wrote the first essay on tea in 760 AD, “Ch’a Ching.” In Japan, tea was introduced by Buddhist monk Dengo Daishi studying in China, leading to the development of the “Tea Ceremony.” The tea traditions were introduced to Europe by traders, missionaries, and explorers.
